Cycling Ulster Youth Champs - Maryland Wheelers

The championship races and time-trials for Cycling Ulster youth U12, U14 & U16 were held on Sunday august 21st in Limavady, based at the Roe Valley leisure centre and hosted by the local club Roe Valley c.c.

As a member of the David McCall foundation I was invited by Roe Valleys Chairman Paul Cole and the C.U. Youth Commission head George Boyd to present the trophies won by the youngsters in the DMC foundation season long league. Paul and George together with the enthusiasm and support of Roe Valleys club members planned and organised a great Ulster Youth Championships which was quite apparent by the smooth running of the day’s proceedings.

George and his wife Mary have been instrumental in the success of the youth league and this was evident when I arrived for the morning time-trial where over 50 had signed on. Add to this the commitment of Roe Valleys club members, all keen to lend a hand and help with the organisation. It is great credit to all in the club to see such willingness to support the efforts of George and Mary and I would applaud them wholeheartedly.

The weather held up all day and the kids really enjoyed the competition under the eye of their supporters, family members and the watching eyes of those talent spotting, even though there was some variation in abilities in the age-groups not one competitor dropped out of his or her respective race, I would say George and Mary has instilled this in them as they were all keen to finish whether dropped or not, a good mind-set and attitude to have especially at such an early stage in their cycling life.

After the races and before the prize presentation I spoke to all those assembled about Davy, how he started cycling and about his love and passion for cycling throughout his life and why we formed the foundation. I emphasised that we the David McCall Foundation would support them and help them for as long as they wanted us to and that their ambition was our ambition also.

Cycling Ulster Youth Commission Chair, George Boyd said “We would like to thank the Foundation for its continued support of youth cycling, which undoubtedly led to great Ulster results in the Mayo Youth tour and in great performances here today in the Ulster Championships. The fact that we had 55 competitors here today pays testament to this input. The interest generated by the league format grabs the interest of promoting clubs and the riders themselves. We hope to work in partnership for many years to come.”