Stalwart receives national honour

DAVID HARRY was given a big surprise when invited to the annual British Cycling awards dinner at the Reebok Stadium, the home of Bolton Wanderers. Harry, formerly president of the Guernsey Velo Club and now its development officer, was called up to receive an award in recognition of 'outstanding work as a club official'.

'It was unexpected, very much so,' said Harry, one of the most respected sports officials in the island who, for a long while, was mystified as to who had nominated him for one of the 10 regional awards.

'I hadn't been able to find who had nominated me but eventually found out at the dinner.

'It was the southern region Go Ride manager, Mark Adams.'

It was predominantly for his work with that initiative as well as for spearheading the drive for a cycling circuit at Delancey Park and organising the 2003 Island Games cycling events that Harry was chosen.

The Go Ride scheme has driven up the number within the Velo Club considerably.

Membership stands around the 220 mark and 55% are under 18, largely down to the scheme which takes in 70 children a year, many of whom take up competitive cycling.

'They learn the skills which hold them in good stead for the future. But we've seen a terrific jump in the number of members,' said Harry, who continues to have a strong influence on the sport.

As development officer he has secured sponsorship of the Velo Club's Island Games team from Fifo Trust, a local trust company, and recently tied up a deal with a UK property-development firm, Whitehouse Homes residential, to sponsor the club's Go Ride criterium championship at Delancey.

The Velo Club are also investigating whether or not to apply for British Cycling Clubmark accreditation which will involve extending Go Ride training directly into island schools.

*THE Velo Club's 2007 road season starts on Sunday with a time trial from Mont Varouf at 8am.

The opening road race is a handicap event from La Houguette the following Sunday.