urban sports (special focus)
Making
IN contrast to the perceived cycling boom and the investment in cycling infrastructure in recent years, Sport England statistics show a long- term decline in youth, female, ethnic minorities and disadvantaged participation in cycling. Launched in 2011, the Making Trax Programme (formerly the BMX Legacy Programme), aims to develop a lifelong love of cycling that leads to cycling for sport, recreation and travel. “We believe that BMX and other non- traditional cycling offers have a unique role to play in energising cycling and achieving equality, diversity and inclusion. BMX especially attracts young people to cycling for the thrill and its cool factor but is suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s a safe, fun, off-road form of cycling that is a fantastic tool to help people learn to ride a bike, become more confident and to enjoy it,” says Joe McTague, director of Access Sport, the charity that runs the programme.
reaching those who need it most The programme aims to normalise youth, inclusion and diversity in cycling by creating inclusive community cycling hubs. It does this by building new and improving existing
22
pactfacilities.co.uk
Trax
Access Sport’s award- winning programme aims to inspire people to kick-start a lifelong love of cycling.
community cycling facilities in deprived urban areas and developing and connecting community cycling clubs by training and supporting coaches, volunteers and young leaders. The programme delivers directly to people that don’t currently cycle or participate in physical activity through partnerships with schools, pupil referral units and special educational needs schools. “Our mission is to have genuine UK-wide
impact by 2025 and influence others to follow our lead. We will directly reach tens of thousands of disadvantaged, at-risk and inactive people in London and the 10 core cities and have a network of 200 inclusive community clubs nationwide,” says McTague. The success of the programme relies on mutually beneficial partnership working at
many levels, from the public, private and third sectors. The programme is supported strategically and financially by Sport England, British Cycling and the London Marathon Charitable Trust. It also receives support from several trusts and foundations British Cycling’s partnership includes the deployment of three full-time cycling coaches to work exclusively on the Making Trax Programme, delivering quality cycling activities in inner city communities. “We work closely with each local authority
the programme operates in. This includes the sport & physical activity, active travel, public health and park management teams, to gain local knowledge and expertise but also as the owners and operators of the facilities that we create,” says McTague. “We also work with local charities, schools
and agencies that are also working to improve life prospects for young people in disadvantaged areas.”
making an impact Over the last 12 months, the Making Trax team has worked with over 200 groups including primary and secondary schools, pupil referral units, special educational needs schools and youth clubs in deprived areas of London and Bristol. It has delivered 1,226 coached sessions to 4,265 young people. Of these young people, more than 35 per cent self-reported as being inactive, taking part in less than 30 minutes of physical activity outside school in a week. 14 per cent were unable to cycle, 12 per cent were disabled, 68 per cent were from black, Asian and ethnic minorities and 45 per cent were female.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43
