Women's track league at Lee Valley

[Bridget]

Hi all,

Please see email below from John Scripps, Lead coach at Lee Valley on proposed women's track league. Myself and Jo Whiting are happy to go to the meeting next Thursday, but if anyone else has a burning desire to go or would like to contribute anything to feed in then please let us know.

Thanks, Bridget


" You may have seen some activity on social media recently regarding the prospect of a Women’s track league at Lee Valley Velopark this winter. In order to help make this happen, there are 2 things I’d like to draw your attention to;



Women’s Track League Forum meeting – Lee Valley VeloPark - Thursday 11th September 7pm.



This meeting is for women who are interested in taking part and volunteering to help with the track league to see the proposals on the structure and league format. In anticipation of large numbers of women interested in this meeting, please can we have a maximum of 2 representatives per club or group. The meeting will include time to collectively explore ideas with the following suggested agenda;



Dates of League – Update – 5min
Organisation Structure Proposal/Discussion – Run for women, by women? – Different club representing each evening? – Female Young Volunteers? – 30min
Racing Groups – Categories – 20min
Racing Structure/Format/Races – 20min
Ideas – Workshop 35min

· Questions – 10min



The meeting will be finished by 9pm latest.



Women’s Track League Accreditation Programme



In order to maximise the potential numbers of women that can access track league, following in the success of the TL accreditation programmes held in April and May, Lee Valley Velopark is running a track league accreditation programme for women and girls aged 16+ at 18:45 – 20:00 on Tuesdays 7th – 28th October. The sessions are directed at women who are experienced track riders, but aren’t yet Indoor track accredited. There are 16 places available and the programme costs £80. Riders who are already accredited on Newport, Glasgow or Manchester do not need to take this course. Riders need to call 0845 6770603 to book, there is no online booking. Riders must complete all 4 weeks of the programme.



I hope this starts the ball rolling with getting regular women’s racing happening on the Velodrome at the Velopark!"

[Mark Leedham]

Bridget
Thanks for letting us know about this. Good to hear that a Women's Track League is planned, we need to get some racing at this great facility. Let us know the outcome of the meeting next week.

[Bridget]

I went to this meeting this evening. Whilst focus was on women's league, there were some points relevant to men's & youth leagues too. Will try to summarise main points below, but do ask if you're interested in more details.

- League(s) will run beginning November to end March this year (will begin in October in future years)
- The league will be run by a private company - Full Gas Cycling (run by Tony Gibb) - as there was 'no interest from regular clubs in organising the track league'. (this wasn't discussed but could be due to the costs involved - evidently needs £1500 per night in entry fees to break even, i.e. 3 groups x 24 riders @ £20 each)
- Leagues will be on Monday & Thursday eves 7-10pm, with men's league on Monday & Youth/Women alternating Thursdays, HOWEVER,
- it is not anticipated there will be sufficient women entrants initially to have a fortnightly league exclusively for women, therefore women's racing will likely need to be combined in some way with youth or men's nights. Depending on numbers this could be one women's only race alongside other races, or combining women within B category men's races.
- Men's league will likely be over-subscribed. There will be A & B categories.

ACTIONS agreed:
- John Scripp will develop a medium-term plan towards ultimate goal of having a women's only league with different categories. This will include building rider numbers/experience through women's-specific SQT sessions; seeking additional funding (public & sponsorship)
- League organiser will create on-line registration form for league(s) which will guage interest & experience level of riders and inform structure of league (by Sunday/Monday)