We are making 2021 the Year of the Volunteer and shining a light on the brilliant work volunteers do for all forms of cycling across the home nations and we want to make sure we acknowledge the huge contribution volunteers make to cycling on a more regular basis.
Each month, we are taking nominations from our across the regions and home nations. If you think someone deserves a mention, get in touch on social media with your respective regional or national teams or via @BCCoaches on Twitter.
A huge thank you and well done to all that have been nominated in February 2021 from everyone at British Cycling.
Name: Iffat Tejani
Region: Central
Role and/or qualification: Chair of Evolve - the Cycling Network for Muslim Women & Breeze Champion & Event Organiser
Iffat has been the driving force behind getting Muslim women onto bikes in North West London. Having become determined to get in to cycling, Iffat got involved with the Breeze programme. From this she became a Breeze champion to do more to get the Muslim community in Harrow and Watford onto bikes, before arranging a women’s only Sportive for all her sisters in the mosque in 2020.
Since then Iffat has played a key role in supporting the establishment of the Harrow Cycle Hub, setting up the BC-affiliated Evolve Cycling Club in Dec 2020 (which now has over 100 members), and securing funding from Places to Ride for new equipment for the Club. Together with seven other members of her club, she is now training to become a level 1 coach, and working closely with the BC Regional team to further develop Evolve, set up a series of adult and Go Ride coaching sessions, planning another sportive for 2021, and support efforts by other Muslim women to set-up similar initiatives elsewhere in London. That she has achieved so much in such a short period of time testifies to her immense drive and energy, her passion for cycling, and her enthusiasm for helping others enjoy its benefits.
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More about Breeze and Guided Rides
Name: Stuart Shaw
Region: East Midlands
Role and/or qualification: NEG Coordinator & Cyclo-Cross Commissaire
Stuart was recently presented with a Regional Badge of Honour for his services to the sport in the East Midlands Region and wider.
Stuart, a member of the Alford Wheelers, has recently retired from his volunteer activities. He was an experienced member of the Regions Motorcycle Marshals (NEG) team, and since 2009 had been their co-ordinator and later assessor and mentor to new members. He has also been a key volunteer and Commissaire for the Lincolnshire Cyclo-Cross League and as a National Commissaire at many National Trophy events for more than 20 years. He has always provided a calm and reassuring presence at many events from a local Cyclo cross to the Olympic Road race, a regular face at many events in the region Stuarts presence will be missed by many.
Name: Kate Ambrose
Region: Eastern
Role and/or qualification:Club Coach at Lee Valley Youth CC
Kate is nominated for her continuous coaching and developing Talent. Kate has been coaching at LVYCC for many years and has been eager to develop riders for the Talent Pathway. She has constantly attended RSR’s and Development Centre often leading groups. She is also a mainstay of regional teams having been to many inter regional championships and UK School games.
Kate has been involved through lockdown on delivering sessions online and keeping riders engaged.
Name: Alistair Salter
Region: South West
Role and/or qualification: Level 2 Track and Road Coach –Track and Circuit Development Centre Coach
Alistair is the Lead Coach for the South West Circuit and Track Development Centres, travelling to Devon and Wales to provide high quality sessions for our aspiring young riders. Over the winter, Alistair has been running weekly rollers/turbo sessions on Zoom to continue offering race skills and a chance for the cohort of riders to stay connected while we’re waiting for the return to activity.
South West special meantions: Mike Gibson and Rob Woodger from Mid Devon Cycling Club. Mike is the South West Youth Team Manager and co-delivers Development Centres with Alistair. Rob Woodger also supports the sessions with his regional coaching knowledge and expertise, helping us to link to younger riders with Go-Ride Cluster sessions.
Name: Ian Spencer
Region: Yorkshire
Role and/or qualification: Shibden CC Chairman & Event Organiser
Ian has been the driving force behind the Yorkshire ‘No nonsense’ cyclocross events, despite the restrictions brought about by the pandemic he has been innovative and creative in his approach to organising races which have been covid secure. Examples include a contact free drive through sign on and an effective socially distanced starting grid.
Ian’s enthusiasm and drive are infectious and he inspires others to get involved – a strong team of willing volunteers back him up with delivery of well organised and well run events.
In addition, Ian organises regular cyclocross coaching sessions which are open to any riders from young Go Ride attendees up to proficient seniors. These sessions provide expert coaching and regularly attract 50+ riders (pre-covid) with most of the riders competing in local, regional and national events.
Ian’s love of the sport is clear to see and he has been described as ‘an ideas factory on legs’ for his constant planning to stage events at new venues and improve opportunities for riders to train and improve.
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Name: Robert Kingsland
Region: South East
Role and/or qualification: Event Organiser
Robert is nominated for his unparalleled efforts in bringing cyclo cross to East Kent. He established the East Kent Cyclo Cross League (EKCX) in 2015 and he has promoted over 26 events since in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich areas which have proven to be extremely popular and an incredible success. He relentlessly drives the entire promotion, from publicity to course design to entries and promotion on the day.
His club, VC Deal, have stated they are extremely proud of his organisational abilities. His work ethic and abilities have earnt the respect of all riders and helpers and commissaires too.
Name: Fiona Graham and Peter Hopley
Region: North West
Role and/or qualification: Youth Officer & Young Yolunteer, Carlisle Youth Cycling Association
It's a double nomination from Cumbria this month for the north west! Fiona Graham is the CCA Youth Officer and was promoting a series of activities. The pandemic caused a re-think and a switch to social media. Her son, Peter Hopley, was working through his CAYV volunteering hours and they came up with a plan!
Peter produced skills videos before branching out into puzzles, cycling history and live quizzes. The pair then progressed onto interviewing well-known local cyclists. This progressed to interviews with former professionals, pro team mechanics and an interview with the Bicycle Mayor of Cumbria! Through Fiona and Peters good work people are much more aware of the Carlisle Youth Cycling Association and the cycling circuit at Harraby.
Learn more about the Cycling Award for Young Volunteers
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Name: Will Jewitt
Region: South
Role and/or qualification: Rider, Racer and young volunteer
Volunteers: In Focus - January 2021
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