ROYAL London 360 is to continue supporting junior cyclists in the Island.
The offshore life company has renewed its sponsorship of the Royal London 360° Isle of Man Youth Cycling League, which it has sponsored since 1992.
Last year was a particularly successful one for the Island’s junior cyclists, culminating with their shortlist for the Team of the Year prize at next month’s Isle of Man Sports Awards.
Last July, Owen Dudley won the 2010 British National Under 12 Youth Circuit Race Championship in Essex.
In September Charlie Gibson won British Cycling's Under 8 circuit race series and William Draper was runner up in the Under 10 series.
In addition, William Draper won the North West Circuit Race Championships.
Team Royal London 360° riders Joshua Knights, Alex Haddock and Jake Kelly won the coveted GHS trophy for being the fastest team in the final of the British National Youth 10-mile Time Trial Championship, a prize which has been won by the club a record four times.
Jake Kelly was subsequently invited to join British Cycling's Olympic Talent Programme.
The £4,000 sponsorship donated by Royal London 360°, in addition to clothing and other items of equipment, will allow them to further develop their skills during 2011.
Members are also being given handy calendar notebooks to allow them to document their progress and record any coaching tips.
The Royal London 360° Isle of Man youth cycling league supports nearly 600 local children annually, who range in age from three to 16.
As well as weekly practice sessions at the National Sports Centre in Douglas between April and August, a number of youngsters compete successfully off-Island at UK and Irish National events.
Organiser of the Royal London 360° Isle of Man Youth Cycling League Dot Tilbury said: "I am delighted that we will be continuing our hugely successful partnership with Royal London 360° again in 2011.
"The company's support has been vital in allowing us to develop the skills of our junior members of all ages, and particularly in allowing some of them to compete in National competitions off-Island where they have achieved phenomenal success to date.
"Royal London 360° is a very active and supportive sponsor, and we are looking forward to working with them and celebrating more success again this year."
Natalie Hall, head of Marketing at Royal London 360°, said: "Junior cycling in the Isle of Man is going from strength to strength with so many youngsters now taking part regularly, and so we are very proud to sponsor the development work being done by the Royal London 360° Youth Cycling League.
"The success achieved by coaches and competitors during 2010 is testament to their hard work and dedication to their sport, and we wish them the best of luck for another excellent year in 2011 as well as at next month’s Isle of Man Sports Awards."
Photo one: Steve Wright and Merita Taylor of Royal London 360° present a sponsorship cheque for £4,000 to Dot Tilbury, organiser of the Royal London 360° Isle of Man Youth Cycling League, and some of the League’s junior champions.
Top row, left to right – Owen Dudley, Dot Tilbury, Steve Wright, Merita Taylor, William Draper. Front row left to right – Jake Kelly, Alex Haddock, Josh Knights.
Photo two: Front row left to right – Owen Dudley, Jake Kelly, Alex Haddock, Josh Knights and William Draper present two of the trophies won by them during the 2010 cycling season.
Owen is pictured with his British National Under 12 Youth Circuit Race Championship trophy (William Draper was runner-up in the Under 10 series); the coveted GHS trophy was won by Jake, Alex and Josh for being the fastest team in the final of the British National Youth 10-mile Time Trial Championship.
Top row left to right – Dot Tilbury, Steve Wright, Merita Taylor
