The FA and British Cycling have joined forces to get more women involved in their respective sports in a launch involving England Women’s players and female track cycling stars.
‘Kick Start Your Ride’ is an initiative from the two governing bodies to encourage more women to cycle to matches.
It includes organising guided Breeze bike rides for women attending England’s World Cup qualifiers, FA WSL matches and The FA Women’s Cup Final.
England v Montenegro
FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
Group 6 qualifier
12.55pm, Saturday 5 April
Amex Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion
England internationals Gemma Bonner and Fara Williams launched the initiative on Wednesday alongside Great Britain Cycling Team stars Jess Varnish and Vicky Williamson at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.
The initiative will begin at England’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at the Amex Stadium in Brighton on Saturday 5 April.
Williams said: "I’ve always enjoyed cycling since I was young, so I’m really pleased to see an initiative like this being launched around women’s football.
"We see lots of families at England and WSL games so it’d be great if some of them can travel down on bikes together to the Montenegro game next weekend."
Kelly Simmons, The FA’s Director of the National Game and Women’s Football, added: "This unique partnership shows the benefits that two national governing bodies can bring when working together for one common aim – getting more women active.
"Participation levels are crucial for all sporting bodies and we’re delighted to work with British Cycling to get more women into both football and cycling."
British Cycling’s Women’s Network Project Manager, Natalie Justice, said: "This is about two sports coming together to inspire women to try something new.
"The opportunity to go on a group bike ride with friends, mums, daughters with the prize of getting to watch some exciting football at the end of it has all the ingredients of a fun day out and we hope to see hundreds of women getting involved over the coming season."
British Cycling will host the following bikes rides for women attending matches over the coming weeks:
- 5 April – England v Montenegro – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 qualifier (AMEX Community Stadium, Brighton)
- 1 June – FA Women’s Cup Final (stadium:mk, Milton Keynes)
- Rides to and from WSL matches (details to be confirmed).
The scheme will be continued at a local level through the 18 FA WSL clubs, throughout the upcoming season. Further rides will be announced shortly.
Check out www.breezebikerides.com for more information.
