Peace looks to have broken out at Cycling Ireland after a period in which the board looked as though it was about to tear itself apart.
President Liam Collins, who ten days called on the entire board to step down, will now be doing so himself along with fellow directors Eugene Moriarty and Anthony Mitchell.
A new President will be elected at the next AGM in November 2022. In the meantime, current Vice President, solicitor and former Irish national cycling team member, Conor Campbell, will continue in this role.
With the backing of Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland has announced the nominations for appointment of six new directors to its Board including barrister and leading anti-doping expert, Louise Reilly, barrister, Susan Ahern, the former head of Legal and Compliance at World Rugby, and Emma Hunt-Duffy, Head of Marketing for Fyffes.
“All are exceptionally qualified directors with proven domestic and international experience,” said a statement last night from the governing body.
Gary McIlroy, the former Secretary for the College of Commissaires, and Commissaire at the recent World Cyclo-Cross Championships in the US has also been co-opted onto the Board.
They will be joined by Claire Young (Ulster) and Dr Tom Daly (Munster) who will also become a Vice-President.
With four female directors now in situ, Cycling Ireland has also addressed, in one fell stroke, Sport Ireland’s gender balance expectations.
“We are delighted to have secured the services of these new Directors,” said Cycling Ireland CEO Matt McKerrow.
“The staff of Cycling Ireland is hugely passionate and proud of the positive work being done. The current popularity, investment in infrastructure, and the physical, mental health, environmental and community-building benefits of cycling represent a once in a generation opportunity.”
“Participation numbers are growing at all age groups and at all levels of cycling, and the membership and staff of Cycling Ireland deserve a leadership which is unified and shares a crystal-clear vision and plan for the development of the sport.”
Problems in the management of the sports governing body became apparent with the recent discovery of irregularities in the process of submission for a number of grants.
There was no impropriety but a full external audit ordered by Sport Ireland did make a number of recommendations.
“Sport Ireland is pleased to see progress made by Cycling Ireland in addressing the recent issues,” said CEO Dr Una May.
“In particular, the commitment to implementing all of the recommendations included in the recent audit commissioned by Sport Ireland, is vitally important as the organisation looks to regain stability.”
“There has been good progress made in this regard. Another positive step for Cycling Ireland is the achievement of gender balance on its board, a key tenant of the recently published Sports Action Plan.”
“We look forward to meeting with the new chair of Cycling Ireland as soon as possible. Sport Ireland continues to provide ongoing advice and support to Cycling Ireland, and will work closely with all members of the board and executive in the ongoing development of the sport at all levels.”
