November 17/20 16:51 pm - Global Relay Commits to Bridge The Gap Fund for 4 More Years

Posted by Editoress on 11/17/20
 

On November 17th, the Global Relay Bridge The Gap Fund (GRBTG Fund) celebrates the start of its ninth year. The celebration starts with announcing that Global Relay, the Vancouver based tech leader, has committed to support the fund and its cycling development initiatives for another four years.

This exciting news comes at a welcome time for Canadian cycling. The COVID pandemic has impacted the global and Canadian competitive cycling environment in unique and challenging ways. Competitions have been cancelled or postponed, teams and programs are struggling. The overall constriction of activity and athlete opportunities is highest upon the athletes, events and programs supported by the Fund.

Bridge-the-Gap Fund's Managing Director Andrew Pinfold says he is confident that the Fund's programs will continue to play an integral role in developing Canada's most promising emerging athletes, youth programs and events, through nimble and creative responses to Canadian cycling's new challenges.

"First off, I am absolutely thrilled that Global Relay has chosen to continue to support us for the next four years. They took a chance nine years ago and invested in our ideas on how to progress cycling in Canada. It worked. I'm equally excited about our future. Along with my fellow directors we've been more active than ever - reaching out to stakeholders and key collaborators. We've had exciting conversations and general agreement to be more aligned and working together in 2021."

In 2021 the Fund will prioritize project funding to teams, clubs or programs that get our most promising young athletes safely racing in international competition. The Fund will work directly with project leaders and coaches providing valuable consultation and connecting initiatives to our network for additional support. High consideration will be given to projects supporting: women, Juniors, multi-discipline athletes or projects, and initiatives with athlete selection flexibility (ensuring Canada's best athletes, irrespective of team/club affiliation may be included).

Bridge the Gap 2021 Applications:

Special Projects
GRBTG will look to support projects that help Canadian riders get racing opportunities and exposure that will help them advance to the next level. We are excited at the prospect of collaborating with other stakeholders in Canada to make this happen. Application form Here.

Youth Programs and Initiatives
GRBTG continues to seek opportunities to develop youth cycling in Canada. The youth club seeding program provides two year grants to youth cycling clubs aimed at establishing club sustainability and coaching development. The long-term goal of the program is to boost and sustain the number of youth meaningfully involved in competitive cycling. Clubs/Programs interested in applying for support in 2021 can find the application form Here.

Elite Rider Support
GRBTG will provide mentorship and direct financial support to athletes. Our goal is to assist athletes reach the highest levels of the sport. Recognizing that the pandemic has significantly impacted traditional racing opportunities and development pathways in North American we are looking to support athletes find ways to continue their trajectories in Europe. Riders wishing to apply for funding can click Here.

Existing Fund recipients are encouraged to re-apply and will be given preference.


About the Global Relay Bridge The Gap Fund
The Bridge-the-Gap fund was created by Vancouver tech leader Global Relay in November 2012. It is led by former Canadian cycling professionals Svein Tuft, Ryan Anderson, Erinne Willock, Kevin Field and Andrew Pinfold. The Fund's mission is "To facilitate the advancement of aspiring Canadian Olympic Road Cyclists through mentorship, coaching, and financial support". The Fund has assisted more than 70 athletes gain spots on professional trade teams - including nine to UCI Pro-Conti or World Tour levels. In 2016 the Fund launched a mentorship program currently led by alumni athlete and 2016/2021 Olympian Leah Kirchmann. The Fund is proud to operate lean, with 90% of funding going to athlete or program support.

For more information about Global Relay's Bridge-the-Gap fund, visit www.grbridgethegap.com.


About Global Relay
Global Relay is the world leader in cloud-based messaging, archiving and search technology for the financial sector. Global Relay is headquartered in Gastown, with offices in New York, Chicago, London and Singapore. In 2012, Global Relay invested $1 million to bring back and operate the Gastown Grand Prix, Canada's most prestigious criterium, which attracts some of North America's top cyclists and crowds of 20,000 to the streets of historic Gastown in Vancouver each July, as part of BC Superweek. Also, in June 2014, Global Relay joined forces with Cycling Canada to grow cycling in Canada and help Canada become one of the world's top cycling nations by 2020. The four-year $500,000 partnership is focused on sponsorship of the Canadian National Teams and the Canadian Road Cycling Championships.