Ballymoney Cycling Club first in Northern Ireland!

CYCLING Ulster's secretary Marian Lamb and Safeguarding Officer Patrick McAleavey came to Loughguile's Millennium Centre on Saturday in response to requests from Ballymoney CC's Child protection officer Niall O'Hagan to show the club how to put in place a structure where parents and families can be sure that when they join BCC everything has been done to provide the security and safety needed for their families.

Ballymoney Cycling Club are now the first cycling club in Northern Ireland out of over 39 other clubs to enrol in the Sport NI Code of Ethics, Good Practice for Children’s Sport.

Eleven members of BCC attended this unique seminar and have now been submitted for Access NI clearance. Access NI enables organisations like Ballymoney Cycling Club to make more informed recruitment decisions by providing criminal history information about anyone seeking paid or unpaid work in certain defined areas, such as working with children or vulnerable adults.

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The course was held in the modern and pleasant surroundings of the Millennium Centre in Loughguile where everyone was made to feel very welcome.

The course normally lasts three hours but such was the interest and enthusiasm of the club members attending that four and a half hours passed without notice.

The participants were highly motivated and listened with interest and took part in the workshops with commitment.

Following the actual course the floor was thrown open to questions based on what they had learned. The group were able to relate the information to cycling specific scenarios and ask appropriate and thought provoking questions.

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Coffee breaks and a hot and cold lunch were provided by the club and many thanks are due to Marian and Aine, sisters of club member Niall O'Hagan for the excellent catering.

Cycling Ulster thanked Niall O'Hagan and Maurice McAllister for organising the facilities and arranging the course.

The club were also guinea pigs for both Patrick McAleavey and Marian Lamb as this was the first course they had delivered since gaining Tutor Status.

As Patrick said: "I was able to relax immediately as I could see there was genuine interest from the attendees. Delivering any course is not easy, but Ballymoney Cycling Club made our first event very enjoyable."

Community cycling for everyone

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With health and safety a constant worry and obesity a blight on today’s society, Ballymoney CC will in the next weeks be encouraging parents and children to ride their bikes.

Introducing group skill sessions, basic bike repairs, how the bike works and riding in a small group. These events will be held on an off road location with safety in mind, everyone, young and old are encouraged to come along.

More details of dates and the venues will be announced in the coming weeks, watch the local press and notice boards for details.

Coming events

This Tuesday evening at the Joey Dunlop Centre from 7.30pm the club will hold their monthly club meeting, prior to this a presentation will be made to Mr Sean McCarry from the Community Rescue Service of a cheque for money donated at the Bridges of Hope Cycle. Photographs and a report will be in next week’s publications.

The final race of 2010 will be on the Millbrae Climb, 1500 metres of intense effort starts at 7pm on Wednesday evening.

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