Valerie Considine, right, with Orla Hendron. They have done more for women's cycling that anyone in the history of the sport in Ireland. And now Considine has called for Cycling Ireland to up its game (Photo with thanks to Brendan Culleton)
By Shane Stokes
Speaking after this year’s An Post Rás na mBan, another successful edition which saw the highest-ever participation of riders, race organiser Valerie Considine has said that that it is crucial that Cycling Ireland ramp up their support of women’s cycling.
She pointed out that while there were big numbers in the race, only one fifth of participants were Irish.
“We are really missing a women’s Irish road team,” she said, adding a key purpose of the race was to reach a critical mass with women's race in Ireland and make the standard higher.
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“There is no Irish team in this race. We don’t have a lot of girls riding at the level Siobhan Dervan was at.
“Internationally, Olivia Dillon is not racing with us anymore. I think Cycling Ireland really need to have a road programme as well as a track programme.”
Asked what Cycling Ireland need to do, Considine was clear.
“I think they need to invest more in women’s road racing. We need to think about the road racing scene at home.
“We need to think about bringing in younger kids. Orla Hendron is doing a great job, she runs a youth programme and they go away racing twice a year.
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“She brings them to the track in Alkmaar as well around November time. That is important.
"But the small group of the women’s commission can’t do it on their own. They really need backing from Cycling Ireland and a proper road programme.
“If you have a road programme you will have more girls and you will also attract them into the track that way.”
Cycling Ireland’s new road commission is seen as a statement of intent from the governing body that they are going to work on the road side of things.
That should in theory include women’s cycling, but Considine is concerned that the four member commission is all male.
“I definitely would like there to be a [women’s] representative,” she said.
“It is important. I know while [the selected representatives] are representing the four provinces it is important also that there is a female. It is harder to get women into racing so it needs a good bit more of attention.
“It is time now I think that when a commission is developed, that it focuses on men and women. I think the onus on developing women’s cycling shouldn’t rest with a small group on the women’s commission.
“I think it is time now that it came in much more into the centre and there are programmes for men and women on an equal level.”
Shane Stokes speaks to Valerie Considine
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