2024 Women's Intermediate League
Press Release - May 3rd
The Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission confirm dates for the 2024 Women’s Intermediate League, beginning with the opening round on Saturday May 11th
Open only to W2 and W3 riders, the Women’s Intermediate League is an opportunity for riders looking to build experience in road races and also for preparation for road races later this year.
The 2024 league includes six rounds, an increased on the five rounds included in 2023. The league offers a prize fund of €750 in prize money.
Points will be awarded to the first six over the line, with bonus points available for completing five of the six rounds. There will also be a prize for the overall best Junior rider.
The first round brings riders to Kilrush, Co. Clare for the Crotty Cup. Hosted by West Clare CC, the race will cover 52km starting at 12 noon. Sign on will be Kilrush Community School from 10am.
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To enter Round 1 - click here
Speaking about the importance of the league, Cycling Ireland Women's Commission Chairperson Jennifer Bates said:
“The Intermediate League is a perfect stepping stone for those wanting to progress from mid-week races to weekend road races without going straight in at the deep end, all races have been chosen by the women’s commission to ensure they are safe and competitive parcours at not too challenging a distance. The idea of running the races as part of a league of six races is that hopefully at the end of the series the women feel confident to step up and jump in to open road races.”
2024 Women’s Intermediate League
Round One: Date: 11th of May, Event: Crotty Cup
Round Two: Date: 8th of June, Event: Tom Keenan TT
Round Three: Date: 16th of June, Event: Pauline Walsh Memorial
Round Four: Date: 30th of June, Event: Sliabh Luachra Clasaicí
Round Five: Date: 14th of July, Event: Monalty GP
Round Six: Date: 21st of July, Event: IVCA Clonard
Women On Wheels 2024 - How To Get Involved
April 30
Cycling Ireland is looking for cycling clubs to participate in the 2024 Women on Wheels (WOW) Programme. WOW is a programme designed to address the lower numbers of female leisure members and is now in its fourth year - to date over 300 female cyclists have taken part and benefited from the programme.
We would now like to invite cycling clubs to express an interest in taking part in the WOW 2024 programme and send their expression of interest to our Women In Sport Lead Helen Kerrane at helen.kerrane@cyclingireland.ie.
A number of cycling clubs will be selected to act as Women on Wheels host clubs for 2024. Two members from each club will be designated WOW24 leaders. Participating clubs will then deliver a 6–8-week introductory cycling programme to new female cyclists and will conclude with a WOW24 event.
Women on Wheels 2024 Aims & Objectives
- To increase female participation in leisure cycling (Road or Off Road) in Ireland.
- To increase the number of female members in Cycling Ireland clubs.
- To increase the number of female club volunteer coaching workforce and female coaching skills.
What's in it for our Cycling Club?
Free Ride Leader Training - two spaces will be available to each participating WOW24 cycling club.
Membership - All participating Ride Leaders will receive Cycling Ireland Leisure Membership for 2025 for supporting and delivering the programme.
New Female Members – given the decline in female membership, this is an excellent opportunity to gain new female members to your club and grow this section of the cycling club.
Clothing - all the trained Ride Leaders will receive a “Women on Wheels 2024” top.
Exposure - The WOW24 programme will be featured on all Cycling Ireland social media and the Cycling Ireland website. This is also an opportunity to promote your club to a wider audience.
What we need from your Cycling Club?
Two or more nominated volunteers or qualified ride leaders who will commit to delivering a 6–8-week female focused Cycling programme. WOW leaders don’t have to be female, just committed to delivering a female focused programme at their respective cycling club.
Participating clubs will be supported by marketing material provided by Cycling Ireland and active advice and support from Cycling Ireland's Women In Sport Lead during, before and after the WOW24 programme.
A willingness to continue to provide opportunities for female cyclists in your club after the WOW24 programme has finished. This may be by incorporating the WOW24 group into your regular club runs or by continuing to hold WOW spins on a regular basis.
Note: If the participating clubs nominated leaders already have Ride Leader qualification, they will be asked to nominate someone else from their club to take the training who would then assist them in delivering the programme in a learning/skill development role.
Timeline
Cycling Clubs sign up to the WOW24 programme – April 2024
Participating Cycling Clubs use WOW24 marketing materials to recruit participants in their local areas. – April 2024
Ride Leader Training takes place - April/May 2024. Location of the Ride Leader training to be determined by number and location of participating clubs.
Women on Wheels 2024 programme to start at participating Cycling Clubs – May/June 2024 for 6-8 weeks.
Cycling Club host an end of WOW24 programme event - July 2024
More information on Cycling Ireland Women in Sport initiatives and programmes can be found - click here
Application and Selection Criteria: Bursary Women’s Commission
April 23
Women’s Commission Application Criteria
The Bursary Application Criteria defines the process by which a rider is selected to receive a bursary (€200) for their cycling discipline following successful application. Only athletes who meet the requirements of the Women’s Cycling Ireland Eligibility Criteria as outlined below will be considered.
The purpose of the application/selection criteria as outlined in this document is to select riders.
Eligibility criteria and conditions:
There are a limited number of 5 bursaries available per annum. Riders must have a current Cycling Ireland licence. Riders must belong to a club/team based in Ireland, and or be unattached or resident in Ireland. Only one bursary per rider, per year. Riders must have proven race experience. Once Riders have received confirmation of entry to the event, they must inform the Commission via email to treasurer.women@cyclingireland.ie and secretary.women@cyclingireland.ie Bursaries will be awarded on a first come first served basis with preference given to first time applicants. The bursary will be paid out after the event, subject to receiving a short report on the event for publication. The bursary is not available to riders who are fully sponsored (i.e. who have no outgoings for travel or accommodation), and or are travelling as part of a team.
The Women’s Commission reserve the right to refuse a bursary to any rider who in its opinion does not have the relevant experience to compete.
Riders should email their application to treasurer.women@cyclingireland.ie and secretary.women@cyclingireland.ie
Decision Making Matrix
Selection for the available bursaries will be made in accordance with our bursary guidelines. Bursaries are available throughout the year and will cease once all available bursaries are paid out.
Applicant bursaries will be discussed at the next meeting and decision taken by The Commission and rider informed by the Treasurer, if successful or not.
How to Appeal
The Appeals Process is invoked by making a formal written appeal, either by letter or e-mail to chairperson.women@cyclingireland.ie
The appeal shall detail where, in the opinion of the appellant, the Selection Panel have failed to adhere to the selection criteria or failed in their duties as detailed under the Grounds for Appeal. Only one appeal per rider is permitted and this must be specific in detailing where, in the opinion of the appellant, the W.C. Selection Panel failed in their responsibilities.
Costs accrued by the appellant shall be met by the appellant.
Grounds for Appeal
The grounds for appeal are limited to allegations of:
Failure to follow due process and/or selection procedures.