Female cycling in Berbice has been given a much-needed boost with the formation of a club targeting female cyclists.
The formation of the club is the brainchild of a former Olympian and a national female cyclist.
Randolph Toussaint is the Olympian, a celebrated former national cyclist who competed at the 12984 Olympic games and who today despite being 64 years of age is still on the saddle competing with distinction at various veteran events the world over.
Small wonder that Toussaint, whose blood bleeds cycling, has decided to team up with former national cyclist Shenika Teixeira, to former the Blazers Cycling Club.
Also instrumental in the club’s formation is sports journalist Mark Bradford, who hails from Berbice and is actively involved in a number of sporting endeavours.
Bradford told Stabroek Sport last evening that the primary aim of the club is to get more female cyclists involved and to reignite their passion for the sport.
The club, which was formed last Thursday at the Benjamin’s Sports Store, will be based at Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice.
Teixeira began her cycling career as a junior cyclist at the Flying Ace Cycle club before moving to PSC Trojans. There she won the junior and juveniles titles, a number of those at the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Athletic championships.
The inability of the Guyana Cycling Federation to stage female events at the last Junior Caribbean Cycling Championship in Bartica, prevented Teixeira and other local female cyclists from showing their wares, and probably motivated Teixeira to become involved in an administrative capacity since cycle events for women in Guyana are few and far between.
Teixeira’s mentor Toussaint, was instrumental in the club receiving its first donation of equipment which included five racing bicycles, headgear and other cycling gear which will be instrumental in the club’s initial phase.
Teixeira, who earned a distinction in the Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency in Physical Education, says she plans to use this platform as her first step in preparing the females affiliated to the club as they are looking forward to take the participation to the next level in cycling.
Blazers Cycling Club (BCC) has also elected an executive committee to run the affairs of the club. Those elected are Bradford- president, Toussaint-vice president, Teixeira- secretary, Debra Hurst-treasurer and Gail Thomas- assistant secretary/treasurer.
Guyana Cycling Federation Linden Dowridge and General Secretary Marc Sonoram met the executives and members of the club and congratulated them for the effort in expanding the sport in Berbice.
Sonoram spoke briefly on the constitution requirements and the affiliation licensing and discipline expected from cyclists, making it clear that the GCF is always open to assist the club in whatever way towards their development.
Blazers Cycling Club is the third cycle club in the Berbice region and is expected to improve the rivalry existing in the sport in the female category come 2021 and beyond.
