IT'S NOT A RACE*

Cycling Ireland's Women in Sport campaign, "IT'S NOT A RACE" celebrates the many female cyclists who make up the broad spectrum of women who participate actively in cycling across its many forms. As importantly, it celebrates the many reasons why women cycle. And yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s not always a race.


The campaign manifesto below tells the story of the why, how and where of the women who appear in our campaign - from the advocates who are promoting cycling in their communities, to National Champions Lara Gillespie and Orla Walsh, to Katie Turner, Lucy McClintock and Summer Glynn who are taking the cycling community by storm at a young age.


Those who share our belief that welcoming more women and girls into the cycling community will be a positive development for all are encouraged to back the campaign on social media using the hashtag #itsnotarace.

HER Outdoors Week

HER Outdoors Week, an initiative by Sport Ireland, taking place from 12th – 18th August 2024, is an opportunity to re-ignite and re-introduce females to the outdoors.


Find out more here


Active Participation

Women on Wheels (WOW)

Women on Wheels is essentially the Bike for Life programme aimed at beginner women where cyclists are brought through the various skills and techniques involved in cycling. 


Cycling Ireland is looking for cycling clubs to participate in the 2024 Women on Wheels (WOW) Programme. WOW is a programme designed to address the lower numbers of female leisure members and is now in its 4th year - to date over 300 female cyclists have taken part and benefited from the programme.


A number of cycling clubs will be selected to act as Women on Wheels host clubs for 2024. Two members from each club will be designated WOW24 leaders. Participating clubs will then deliver a 6–8-week introductory cycling programme to new female cyclists and will conclude with a WOW24 event.


This programme is available to clubs and LSP’s, if interested please contact grainne.hanley@cyclingireland.ie 

Coaching and Officiating

Women’s Coaching Pathway

The Women’s Coaching Pathway is an exciting initiative for coaches and aspiring coaches. The programme gives participants the opportunity to improve their knowledge, expand their network and develop leadership and coaching skills in a supported, collaborative environment alongside coaches from Athletics Ireland, Cycling Ireland, Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), Rowing Ireland and Triathlon Ireland.

Coaching Certificate for Midlife Women

In November 2021, the first of its kind coaching certificate will launch with coaches across Cycling Ireland, Athletics Ireland, Swim Ireland and Triathlon Ireland in partnership with The Well-HQ.


The aim of the “Training Midlife Women Coaching Certificate” is to provide coaches with the knowledge, expertise and support they need to train midlife women properly, ensuring longevity in our sports. This programme is about females, not for females so we encourage both male and female candidates to apply! Find out more here.

Leadership and Governance

Women in Sport Leadership Course

This course, organised by Swim Ireland, is designed to support the development of female leaders within National Governing Bodies. Sports consultants Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea have been delivering these courses and so far, two Cycling Ireland representatives have attended this course.

Club Toolkit

The club toolkit has been designed to help clubs engage and retain more females across the four pillars; Active Participation, Coaching and Officiating, Leadership and Governance and Visibility. A Zoom workshop has been designed to support and compliment the toolkit. If you’re interested in attending the next workshop please email grainne.hanley@cyclingireland.ie 

Visibility

Each year, Cycling Ireland selects a number of women and girls to become Advocates for Women's Cycling who promote cycling in their local club and community and inspire others by sharing their own inspiring story along the way. 


Check out their stories below. 

Advocates 2024



The Chairperson of Seven Springs Cycling Club, Monique got involved in road cycling in her late 20's and aims to inspire others to discover the joys of cycling.




Joining the sport aged 30 with her local club NWMTB Club, Cally loves off-road cycling and currently rides Enduro as well as Cross-country, gravel and sportives with friends. 




Nina is a road and Cyclo-cross commissaire as well as a road rider and has been involved in cycling with her local club and Cycling Leinster. 








A road cyclist and cycling coach, Sharon Kennedy is a member of Greenmount Cycling Academy after becoming a leisure cyclist at the age of 47. 




Berdien Driscoll is a road and e-sports rider based in Munster. Berdien got involved in cycling just a few years ago at 41 and her passion for the sport has grown since!














Advocates 2023



Gemma is from Belfast City BMX Club. Find out more about her story here.




Clodagh is from Foyle Cycling Club, Co. Derry. Find out more about her story here. 




Keela rides with Sundrive Track Team, Co. Dublin. Find out more about her story here. 




Darcey rides for Cork BMX Club. Find out more about her story here.




Jagruti rides for St. Tiernan's Cycling Club in Dublin. Find out more about her story here




Karen rides with The Feel Good Factor club, Find out more about her story here. 




Zara rides with Kilkenny Collective (Callan Cycling Club). Find out more about her story here. 




Shauna rides with Arcane Cycling Team. Find out more about her story here. 




Kate rides with Galway MTB Club. Find out more about her story here. 




Ysabella rides with Orwell Wheelers, Co. Dublin. Find out more about her story here.


Advocates 2022


Charul Singh is from Dublin Wheelers in Leinster. To find out more about Charul's story please click here.



Deirdre is from Carn Wheelers in Ulster. To find out more about Deirdre's story please click here.



Laura is from MBCC - Mountain Biking Club Cork in Munster. To find out more about Laura's story please click here.



Julia is from Arcane cycling team in Leinster. To find out more about Julia's story please click here. 



Elaine is from Corrib MTB in Connacht. To find out more about Elaine's story please click here.



Summer is from Lucan BMX Club in Leinster. To find out more about Summer's story please click here. 



Zoe is from TC Racing Cycling Team in Leinster. To find out more about Zoe's story please click here. 



Katie is from Orwell Wheelers in Leinster. To find out more about Katie's story please click here. 



Lucy is from Phoenix Cycling Club Belfast in Ulster. To find out more about Lucy's story please click here. 



Lucy is from Lisburn BMX Club in Ulster. To find out more about Lucy's story please click here


Advocates 2021


Aisling Cullen from Mountain Bike Club Cork. To find out more about Aisling's story please click here.



Susan Kennelly from Galway Bay Cycling Club. To find out more about Susan’s story please click here.




Clare Neenan from Chain Gang Cycling Club in County Kerry. To find out more about Clare’s story please click here.



Emma Lang from Courtown BMX club in Wexford. To find out more about Emma’s story please click here.



Liz McLaughlin from the NTSR (Not The Sunday Run) MTB group and the Rossi road group. To find out more about Liz’s story please click here.



Claire Cooke from McNally Swords Cycling Club. To find out more about Claire’s story please click here.


Advocates 2020


Fiola Foley from Killorglin Cycling Club in Munster. To find out more about Fiola story please click here.



Laura Daly from Challenge Cycling Club in Connacht. To find out more about Laura’s story please click here.



Ruth Nugent from Ratoath BMX Club in Leinster. To find out more about Ruth's' Story please click here.



Martina Condell from Limerick Ladies Cycling Club in Munster. To find out more about Martina's Story please click here.



Ciara Bourke from IMBRC and Giant Dublin Cycling Cub in Leinster. To find out more about Ciara's story please click here.


Documents

  • Women's Commission Calendar 2024
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  • Criteria for Junior Women Road Racing Trip 2024
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