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The Cycle Speedway Commission would like to announce the launch of a new women’s
league in the first of two new initiatives for 2010.
In a review of the sports competitions, the commission has recognised the need
for more female competitions. Girls up to the age of 12 or 13 can compete fairly
well with male opposition; however, once they pass that age band, the girls are
at a disadvantage physically. There are currently 48 female riders registered
who are 13 and over and, apart from the BY&JL, there are only two national
events the ladies can compete on a level playing field with their peers, and
more importantly, none of them incorporate team racing.
The success of this year’s girl’s competition in the British Youth and Junior
league highlighted a demand for more female only racing to be introduced into
our sport and with the lack of team racing competitions; this was an area to
address. Unfortunately the current number of female riders won’t allow a club
competition just yet, but should the numbers continue to climb at its current
rate then a club competition will be inevitable.
In the mean time a regional competition will be introduced for 2010 with each
region hosting a round of the competition. Riders will represent the region of
their first claim club and each region will put forward riders for a team
competition and an individual grand prix competition.
The team part of the competition is likely to involve 6 rider teams with each
region invited to enter a team. There will also be two individual competitions
on the day, at under 15 and open class, to find an individual champion. Further
to promote participation all the riders scores will be added together to find
the best region in each age group.
Commission member Ian Brown has been given the responsibility of overseeing the
league and he genuinely believes that within 5 years the sport will see weekly
female club racing at both regional and premier level.
He said “I would like to see this competition grow as quickly as possible so
that we can introduce league racing at club level at the earliest opportunity.
To achieve this target it was important to design the competition in order to
encourage participation and allow regions to introduce new riders at any stage
throughout the season.”
Dates and venues will be announced shortly, together with news of the second
initiative for 2010.
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