It wasn't so long ago that there was little or no recognition of women from any of the official cycling bodies, anywhere in the world. It wasn't until1946 that three British women were invited to compete against each other on the track at Copenhagen, where they had never seen women racing before. Shortly after the Women's Cycle Racing Association (originally Women's Track Racing Association) was formed to improve the lot of women riders.
By 1951 there was interest from around the world, as the movement began to gather momentum, but it was not until 1958 that women could ride and be recognised at a world championship level.
Much of the early work campaigning for women's rights in cycling, was carried out by Eileen Gray. She was one of the first three ladies invited to complete abroad and she went on to become the first and only woman president of the British Cycling Federation. She served in that position for nine years and to date is the only women ever to be elected to the Executive Committee of the BCF.
Over the past 50 years, the WCRA, comprising of many unpaid volunteers (male and female), has continued to campaign tirelessly to improve the sport of cycling for women of all ages and abilities. They provide coaching weekends, handicap racing, international stage races in Britain and also take women of all ages to race in Europe.
Plus they offer championship races from track to road through to criterium races.
WCRA Mission Statement
The purpose of the Women's Cycle Racing Association is to increase the opportunity for women in all forms of cycle sport, to support them in cycling at all levels in all disciplines. To encourage British Cycling, CTT and other cycling organizations to improve opportunities for women to participate actively in all forms of cycling, to challenge inequality in press coverage, prize money, sponsorship and international opportunities for women.
Visit the WCRA at www.wcra.org.uk
What can the WCRA do for you?
The WCRA run a variety of races ideal for first timers and those moving up the domestic scene, races include Road Race Championships, Track Championships and Handicap road races.
With equal importance they have a political agenda to support women cyclists, they do this in many ways and here's a great example in the recent WCRA newsletter…..
WCRA autumn newsletter
The WCRA have been seeking talks with the WCPP (World Class Performance Plan) people to find out what is happening with the Women's National Squad and the structures in place below this - the pathways for riders to seek selection.
Dan has tried unsuccessfully for many months now to organize a meeting between the two parties - due to the commitments of the officials at Manchester.
To resolve this problem Dan got on the phone and let me quiz him about the current situation and what the future holds in store as the sport aims towards Beijing 2008 & London 2012.
1. The funding policies are dictated by UK Sport - the overriding criteria being that the rider must be capable of winning a medal at the Beijing Olympics. At the present time there is no funding available for support riders. This is the reason that the 'National Squad' has been drastically reduced.
2. The pathway that has now been put into place (and funded) is:- Talent Team - ODP (Olympic Development Plan) - Under 23 Endurance Academy - Olympic Podium Plan.
3. The Academy part has been the missing link in the chain and is now being finalised. It will run along similar lines to the men's has been. When the riders become full time (ie. no schooling commitments). The riders will be based in a house in the Manchester area where their training and race plans will be supervised. They will travel and race as an U23 team (with the possibility of 'guesting riders') racing as GB or a UCI registered trade team, targeting UCI 'one day' and stage races. During this time they will travel from their Manchester base. The aim for these riders is to achieve 'pro team' standards within 3 years if they are to be retained within the system.
4. University links - many of our young up coming riders are also very intelligent (dispels the myth of all brawn, no brains too often associated with high quality sports people). Riders will not be discouraged from continuing their studies at either sixth form or university. In certain circumstances if the athletes potential warrants it and they can show that they can efficiently manage both their studies and training, they will be allowed to do so -with opportunities to race with the full time academy members during holiday periods etc.
5. Riders outside the TT- ODP - Academy - Podium pathway are not being ignored. Senior riders that are not currently included in this programme are still capable of becoming part of the plan. Already this season certain domestic based riders have been tested at Manchester after showing aggressive attitudes and winning in domestic events (the overriding criteria is the attitude to get 'stuck into' a race, not simply sit back and wait for the sprint - unless you can win by the proverbial 'mile'). For those domestic athletes who demonstrate the desire and ability to achieve at the highest level, BC will do everything they can to provide those athletes with opportunities to progress.
6. Finally we talked about Rebecca Romero (after the Times article I put into the Newsletter). Rebecca was recommended by UK sport to the WCPP and put through the same testing procedure as any other rider with potential. The power figures that she produced were well above the benchmark of the majority of the previous squad riders. On this basis she has been given full support to help her realise her potential. She is working hard and has recently returned from a training camp where she impressed one of our recent crop of World Champions with both her power and technique.
If any rider has issues or queries to raise they can contact Helen or Steve and we will either sort these out with Dan or put you directly in touch with him.
Steve @ WCRA
Visit the WCRA at www.wcra.org.uk
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