British Cycling has announced a new Total Computers Scholarship Programme, to help increase diversity in cycling.
The new Scholarships aim to provide people from underrepresented groups with a funded and supported route towards inspiring and encouraging others’ participation in cycling.
“At Total, we’re strong advocates of equality of opportunity and so we’re thrilled to be helping British Cycling’s drive to increase diversity of participation,” comments Aidan Groom, Managing Director, Total Computers.
Currently, just 1.7% of cycling’s coaching workforce is from an ethnically diverse background, 26% are female, 10% have a life limiting illness or disability and 5% are under 30-years-old. But as British Cycling’s Head of Education, Simon Hibbert, explains, “We know that making our coaching workforce more representative will show the people they coach and others in our communities that there are pathways open to them in our sport. We're encouraging applications from disabled people, people from diverse ethnic communities and LGBTQ+ people.”
The two-year scholarship programme will initially provide up to 14 individuals with the opportunity to work closely with British Cycling’s performance staff and Education team to broaden their understanding of cycling and further their personal development.
Scholars will have unlimited access to British Cycling education along with mentoring from an industry expert who will co-ordinate a personalised learning and development journey, plus exclusive money-can't-buy experiences.
Applications close on Sunday 31 October and the first intake will be announced later this year.