Clubs from all corners of Scotland were represented, as President Kathy Gilchrist reflected on the year that was, before Chief Executive Nick Rennie gave an overview of the organisation’s performance this year, picking out some key highlights.
Whilst 2023 was undoubtedly an outstanding year for both Scottish Cycling and our community, there is always room to grow, and this was something Rennie reflected on, with event entries still not returning to pre-COVID numbers, and membership seeing a minor drop. These are both trends that are commonplace across the Scottish and British sporting landscape, and we must work together as a community to ensure cycling in Scotland is as good as it can be.
Amongst the many successes this year was the launch of a refreshed organisational strategy, Developing a Nation of Cyclists 2.0, a new website and the return to a full suite of national championships and series.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships was the undoubted highlight of a year that will live long in the memory, with success on all fronts. Whether it was the record medal haul, or the launch of Ride The Worlds, connecting the grassroots of the sport to the event, there was so much to celebrate, which we’ve tried to capture in our Annual Report video:
There was business to be taken care of too, with the passing of a resolution to amend our articles, which was split into three parts:
i) simplify the constitutional documentation by merging the appropriate provisions of the highly duplicative Byelaws with the more comprehensive and up to date Articles
ii) amend the Regional Development Group (RDG) framework, to allow clubs easier access to funds that are being accrued but not utilised. This change encourages collaboration regionally, either via existing RDGs or via clubs collaborating across regions or disciplines
iii) clarify inconsistencies and minor confusions within the Articles
The final element of the meeting was the election of directors, which saw Colin Allanach successfully re-elected for a second term on the board; he will be joined by Colin Edgar.
The AGM also saw the end of Martin Cooke’s time both on the board, and as Chair, with John Watt stepping up to take on the role. Martin has made a fantastic contribution to Scottish Cycling over the last eight years, mostly in the background, never wanting the limelight, but just going about his business, leading, guiding and helping to enhance the cycling landscape in Scotland.
Of his time as Chair, Cooke reflected:
“Whilst sports governing bodies don’t themselves win World Championships, they help create the opportunities for others to do so. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Nick and Kathy, my fellow directors, the senior leadership team, and the staff at Scottish Cycling over the last eight years. There has been a great collaborative and collegiate approach, with a lack of egos, politics and pet projects, which has allowed the total to be greater than the sum of the parts.
“I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support, and wish John, the team, and the organisation all the best for a successful future”.
With Martin stepping down from the board, Malcolm Gunnyeon has been appointed onto the board to fill the gap in legal expertise.
You can read the Updated Articles of Association by clicking here