One2Call may be a name unfamilar to many cycle speedway followers. Sponsors of the newly introduced British Women's and Girls' League, One2Call are a Sheffield based communications company serving local health and education authorities as well as the private sector, varying from sole traders to retail outlets and multi nationals.
The sponsorship deal between British Cycling and the company was broked by Cycle Speedway Commissioner Ian Brown.
ONE2CALL WOMEN'S LEAGUE LAUNCHED - posted 5 May 2010
The brand new cycle speedway British Women & Girls League (BWGL) was launched at the European Club Championships on Monday. The One2call sponsored league was created to accommodate the rise in female riders over the last few years and to give the sport's female membership the chance to race against each on a level playing field (track).
The competition will be region based and there will be four regional teams (South-West & Wales, Midlands, North & Scotland and Eastern) and the four matches will be run to coincide with events already planned.
29 May at Poole (South-West & Wales) 12 June at Birmingham (Midlands) 24 July at Astley & Tyldesley (North & Scotland) 11 September at Great Blakenham (Eastern)
The BWGL is based on a five year plan and it is hoped with the success of the 2010 competition, 2011 will see pairs racing and a larger age band individual competition 2010 sees an under 15 and over 15 individual competition. With the number of female riders coming through the British Youth and Junior League it is planned by 2014 to introduce a female league to run alongside the traditional regional leagues. By 2015 the ultimate goal is to host a female Home International competition.
Race shirts and trophies have been supplied by the leagues new sponsor One2call.net and the company's Danny Kirkby commented
"The Womens league is a great idea and One2call are only too happy help out with this new venture. We wish the league every success for the coming year." WOMEN'S LEAGUE LAUNCHED - posted 5 December 2009
Delegates at the recent Cycle Speedway Regional Conference heard plans for a new Women's League in 2010. The league is seen as a starting point to develop and promote the sport to more women and girls.
Introducing the proposal, Northern Officer Ian Brown and South-East delegate Ivan Pike explained that a girls league, based on the four existing regions, will be launched next season. Teams will represent their regions and each region will host a match, preferably at venues that are already staging national or prestigious events on that day.
At present the number of riders and race formats has not been finalised but it has been confirmed that the league will be based on pairs racing as opposed to individual-style competition. In addition there will be individual competitons held on the same day, which will be divided into two age categories, probably under-15 and over-15s.
Venues for the 2010 competition are starting to take shape. The league will be launched in the South-West over the Whitsun weekend, possibily at Poole or Filton. The Midland round will be held to coincide with the Home International at Birmingham. Astley & Tyldesley look favourites to host the North round and the tournament is scheduled to close at Great Blakenham in September, on the same day as the Veterans individual final.
Building on the anticipated success of the inaugural season, in 2011 it is hoped to introduce team pairs racing for different age groups and by 2014 it is aimed to have all-female leagues running alongside traditional regional leagues. By 2015 it is hoped to have developed sufficient female competitors to stage a all-women Home International.
Discussions are taking place with Sport England about new grants which are being launched next year and could be used to develop female club racing.
We'll bring you more news of the exciting new venture as it unfolds.
One2Call may be a name unfamilar to many cycle speedway followers. Sponsors of the newly introduced British Women's and Girls' League, One2Call are a Sheffield based communications company serving local health and education authorities as well as the private sector, varying from sole traders to retail outlets and multi nationals.
nd promote the sport to more women and girls.