Cyclists from all over NB gave up a sunny morning to attend the lecture portion of the Sprockids training given by none other that Sprockids founder Doug Detwiller, eventually outside they completed the practical application. From the pics, it looks like they had a good time.
After the session Doug wrote: “Thank you for having me come out to Dieppe to put on a Sprockids Leader Training Session. We had an incredible turn out of 30 very positive and enthusiastic individuals! It was a very diversified group representing cycling clubs, shops, parents, teachers, coaches, all wanting to get kids on bikes.”
Attendee Daniel Breau wrote: “I attended the course with 9 other people from Fredericton. It was a very good course and we have a lot of motivated people around the province who are quite excited to get their program off the ground. Very happy to see some youth development in the works for all areas of the province.”. Attendees also came from Edmundson, Saint John, Sussex and greater Moncton. Most of the local attendees were volunteers from Sprockids Greater Moncton. The province now has somewhere around 50 Sprockids leaders.
Velo NB has started to find it’s way determining the youth policies needed that will assist leaders and kids in a program such as this. Although Sprockids is no longer an official Cycling Canada program (Let’s Ride is the replacement), Velo NB Board has decided to support Sprockids given the level of interest. It began when in 2015, free General Memberships were provided to the Leaders. For 2016 we are pleased to report the covering of the training and books ($175) to kickstart our youth program to our members, and continuing to recognize past leaders by extending a free General Membership. Further policy and program work is required to ensure a smooth transition for both Sprockids Leader and Participant into the other areas of cycling whether it be recreational or competitive.
Since 2014’s announcement that Giant would sponsor the Sprockids program, Velo NB Member (and Giant Canada Atlantic Rep) Guy Pellerin has brought Doug in for the session. In three years, Sprockids Greater Moncton has grown from 30 to 120 participants and transformed volunteers into Leaders.
If you would like to get involved drop me a line and I will get you in contact with your nearest trained Sprockids Leader.