An estimated 1.3 million girls step away from sport during their teenage years, missing out on the physical, mental and social benefits that activity brings.
As the national governing body of cycling, we want to create supportive, welcoming and inclusive spaces where girls can ride, improve their skills and enjoy achieving goals that matter to them.
After our summer Girls A’LOUD plans were washed out by the terrible weather on 14th June, we rescheduled for September and delivered our first session at Fife Cycle Park. Supported by three female coaches, we started with a warm-up as one group before splitting into two ability-based groups for coached skills sessions on the track. We then came together for a yoga session, followed by more time on the track and a fun mini-Australian Pursuit Race (APR) to finish the day.
Given the lower levels of club participation among girls in this age group, we hope Girls A’LOUD will help them build connections and find cycling friends from across the wider cycling community. A girls-only environment can help participants feel less self-conscious and more comfortable, supporting a stronger sense of belonging. Girls do not need to be club members to attend; sessions are a great way to experience what a club environment can feel like.
To help us plan for next year, we want to hear from girls who would like to take part – whether or not they joined us last time. They can share their preferences through this short survey. Parents and carers are asked to provide consent, so if you think your child may be interested, please help them complete the survey or invite them to do so themselves.
All girls aged 12–16 with an interest in cycling are welcome to take part. It doesn’t matter what type of cycling they enjoy or what level they’re at. We’ll share more details about each session nearer the time, so they can decide whether it’s something they’d like to get involved in.
We also have a Spond group where we share information about upcoming sessions and plans. Parents and carers are invited to join.
We’re looking forward to delivering a fun and engaging series of sessions next year and to welcoming everyone who takes part.
If you have any questions, please contact our Youth Development Officer, Kate Jackson, at [email protected]