The Women's Cycle Racing Association (WCRA) was a British organisation which sought to further the cause of women in cycling.
History
editFounded by Eileen Gray in 1949 under the name Women's Track Racing Association, it was eventually renamed the Women's Cycle Racing Association in 1956. The same year it organised the first British National Road Race Championships for women, which was won by Millie Robinson. There were no World Championship or Olympic events held for women at that time, but due to the work of the WCRA, a women's World Championships was first held in 1958, although it wasn't until 1984 that women were granted Olympic cycling events.[1][2][3]
"The purpose of the Women's Cycle Racing Association is to increase the opportunity for women in all forms of cycle sport, to support them in cycling at all levels in all disciplines. To encourage British Cycling, CTT and other cycling organisations to improve opportunities for women to participate actively in all forms of cycling, to challenge inequality in press coverage, prize money, sponsorship and International opportunities for women." – Mission statement
In 2007, after 50 years of campaigning, the Association was brought to an end having considered to have achieved the goals of the founding members.[4]
Bibliography
edit- Eileen Gray. Rebel with a Cause.
References
edit- ^ "Our History". WCRA. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ^ Jon Miles (22 December 2003). "A History of Ladies Cycle Racing by Jon Miles". Cycling Ulster. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ^ Jon Miles (12 January 2004). "Jon Miles continues 'A History of Ladies Cycle Racing'". Cycling Ulster. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ^ "Mission Completed!". WCRA. 2 August 2007. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2013.