Fresh from his win in Rás Tailteann, Daire Feeley is to begin working for Cycling Ireland in a new development role in his native Connacht. He will take up the position of youth development officer for Connacht on July 1st on an interim basis.
Feeley (25), who is from Roscommon and rides for All human-VeloRevolution, said he was looking forward to taking on the “exciting role”.
“There are huge opportunities at the moment to raise the profile of cycling in the province and to encourage young people to enjoy and experience cycling from both a recreational and competitive aspect,” he said.
While the part-time post is a Cycling Ireland role, it is also part-funded by Cycling Connacht. The intention is to role out these development posts – which are already in place in many other sports – across the country for cycling.
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Cycling Ireland said Feeley would “support clubs in growing participation numbers within the province” and provide “opportunities across all disciplines of cycling”.
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“The part-time role will see Feeley work with clubs, local sports partnerships, schools and other groups to put in place the systems and structures required to foster a culture of youth cycling,” Cycling Ireland added.
While Feeley has been one of the dominant forces in domestic road racing in recent years and spent time abroad racing, including in the pro peloton with EvoPro Racing, he has also worked in coaching and development.
As well as having several coaching qualifications, he is a qualified 'cycle right safety' tutor having worked with Roscommon Sports Partnership, a disability cycling tutor and safeguarding tutor. He has also delivered Cycling Ireland 'bike for life' and 'gearing up off-road' programmes.
Chief executive of Cycling Ireland, Matt McKerrow, said the federation had been in discussions with Feeley about the role long before he won Rás Tailteann the week before last.
“I’m greatly impressed with Daire’s vision for the development of youth and junior cycling in Connacht and Ireland, and in particular his motivation to give back to the sport,” he said.
“In addition to his elite exploits providing inspiration for the next generation, I’m delighted to support a professional rider in the transition and planning for a post cycling career, and to be collaborating with Cycling Connacht to provide human resource on the ground in the province to develop the sport within their schools, clubs and communities.”
