Cycling Ireland has set out a new five-year plan, for developing cycling on the island to 2029, which includes the goal of increasing numbers in domestic races and also the number of riders receiving high performance pathway support.
The specific target of increasing the number of riders who will get support over the next four years will be welcome news among those riders who are emerging or established top performing juniors and U23s at present.
The five year plan for that goal will take the sport up to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 and beyond, meaning it includes the first stages of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
However, high performance is only one strand, among many, that Cycling Ireland has set out specific goals for, with membership of the national governing body and boosting the size, and number, of domestic events also priorities.
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The new strategic plan comes after clear daylight has been put between Cycling Ireland and a period of controversy a number of years ago. That included Cycling Ireland being suspended from applying for Government grants and the messy fall-out due to a dispute over supporting Irish Continental team EvoPro Racing.
The make-up of the board, and senior management, at Cycling Ireland has changed since those issues erupted while a significant amount of reform has also been undertaken.
Notably, the past two to three years has also been marked by the emergence of a much deeper pool of talent - male and female and across several disciplines - than Irish cycling has previously boasted.
That leaves the sport well-placed from a high performance perspective, though the domestic cycling scene has diminished in recent years, with smaller fields in road races and often very small numbers in MTB and cyclocross races.
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James Quilligan took over as chief executive of Cycling Ireland in the period after the controversies and says the new strategic plan has come about after the national governing body engaged extensively with its members and stakeholders.
"Feedback indicated a clear need for us to redefine our core values and mission," said Quilligan. "The objective of this strategic plan is to provide a clear direction for Cycling Ireland’s progress across all areas.
"I firmly believe that we are on the path to becoming the leading national governing body on the island, and this strategic plan is a crucial step in that journey."
At present, according to the strategic plan, Cycling Ireland has over 26,000 members, 410 clubs and 35 staff. It also has 37,000 children participating in the 'Cycle Right' programme and 3,500 children in other 'Get Ireland Cycling' programmes.
It is now targeting areas for improvement including: advocating and lobbying for safer cycling; growing youth participation; developing more cycleways and velodromes; better communication with members; improving governance.
Some of the key goals under the five-year plan include:
- Provide support for events across all disciplines
- Identify opportunities for international-standard events to raise the profile of cycling in Ireland
- Maximising the use of the new proposed velodromes and other facilities to grow the sport
- 25 per cent increase in 'Cycling Right' participation
- Increasing numbers in competitive events - by 30 per cent - across all ages and categories.
- 40 per cent increase in high performance pathway programmes
- Increasing 'Community Bike Ride' leaders and participants in every county
- Additional trained active coaches
- Increasing membership among youth and women
- Increasing quality competitions for members
- National Championship bidding process built on a two-year window for applications.
- Developing a high performing staff team to meet the needs of the LA and Brisbane Olympic cycles
- Earning a greater number of Olympic and Paralympic quota allocations
- Delivering more and better prepared athletes into World Tour and Women’s World Tour through each Olympic cycle
Cycling Ireland president, Tom Daly, said the strategic plan carries on the vision in place when a number of cycling groups came together to launch the national governing body back in 1987.
"Over the past three years our organisation has gone through an unprecedented period of administrative, structural and governance reform," he said.
"This was mainly achieved through collaboration and the development of trust. These qualities, and the progress made, provide a strong foundation for the delivery of the vision and goals set out in this plan."
