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- Gower Riders Pedalling Away With Top Awards
Swansea’s Gower Riders are celebrating after winning a number of awards and accolades as they gear up to the next stage in the club’s development in bid to boost cycling in south Wales.
The cycling club, currently based at Gowerton Comprehensive School, enjoyed a phenomenally successful 2018, which saw young riders achieve an extraordinary 106 top three places, including 40 wins, at cyclo-cross, road, track and mountain bike races.
There was further recognition at the Welsh Cycling Awards, where they were runners up in the GoRide Club of the Year Award, an award won by the club back in 2016.
And young rider Imogen Morris, who was crowned double Welsh champion in track cycling and road racing in 2018, was runner up in the Junior Performance of the Year category.
Last month the club was recognised as the Junior Club of the Year for 2018 at the Swansea Sports Awards while Imogen received a runner up in the Junior Sportswomen of the Year category at the same event.
The club was then named by Welsh Cycling, the national governing body for cycling in Wales as the Welsh Cycling ‘Club of the Month’ for March, as a result of the club leading the way in developing leadership with a number of Young Ambassadors actively helping and promoting the club.
Aled Jones, Welsh Cycling Development Officer in the West region nominated Gower Riders for Club of the Month.
He said, “Gower Riders are leading the Young Ambassadors program in Wales with all the activities within the club.
“The experience and skills they will develop is not only great for cycling, but is something they will use throughout their lives.
“They work fabulously as a team and are passionate about what they do. Thank you to their parents and club officials for their support.”
The Young Ambassadors then enjoyed their time in the spotlight, when they were presented with a Highly Commended Award at the Evening Post Community Awards, which took place at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea last month.
The youngest of their Young Ambassadors, Elen Govier is also in the running for a Community Champion Award at the West Wales Community Awards, taking place at Parc Y Scarlets in May, as a result of her contributions to leadership and volunteering with Gower Riders and Welsh Cycling.
Highly Commended Good Neighbour Awards . The Welsh Cycling Ambassadors Copyright © 2019 by Adrian White.
Phil Walton, Club Secretary at Gower Riders said, “Our members have embraced the Welsh Cycling Young Ambassador Program and our six ambassadors are leading the new wave of club cyclist with the varied aspects of cycling.
“ From organising the club presentation, to helping the club coaches on Go-Ride coached sessions as well as supporting the wider community.
“We are really proud of Noah, Rhys, Kieron, Ben, Aled & Elen and they can be proud of themselves and are fully deserving of their awards this month.”
The club is now keen to build on their successes and recent recognition, and are looking to develop a purpose built cycling facility in Craig Cefn Parc, Swansea and are now calling for more public support for this project, as well as the other projects currently being considered by Mawr Community Council.
This can be done by visiting https://www.vocaleyes.org, entering a search for ‘Mawr Community’ and rating the projects listed there.
The club is also raising funds to support the development of the project. Donations can be made by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/GowerRiders.
For information on joining the club and to find out more about the proposed new cycling facility, please contact the club at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/club/profile/6356/gower-riders
