AusCycling launches Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group  

AusCycling’s commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive cycling environments will be guided by a newly formed Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group.

Selected following a highly competitive process, the Advisory Group will focus on strengthening diversity in all forms across all communities throughout Australia.

Current AusCycling Board member and avid mountain-biker Jenni McLeod and women in sport researcher and adviser Professor Clare Hanlon will co-chair the Advisory Group.

“We have formed an incredibly diverse group of talented and highly skilled people who are champions for this cause,” said McLeod. “They are incredibly driven and passionate for affecting change, and I cannot wait to begin working with these amazing people. They are working for the whole organisation of AusCycling, and we are so lucky to have them.”

The cycling community will be well represented through multiple world and Paralympic champion Carol Cooke AM PLY; Olympian, LGBTQI+ community member and founding board member of the first-ever independent international women’s cycling union Gracie Elvin OLY; and proud Barrungam man and former professional cyclist Adam Phelan.

Culture change and organisational development specialist Chyloe Kurdas, world championship triathlete Kirk Mitchell, and former Liv Cycling Australia brand ambassador Shahrzad Shahnia will provide valuable insights for the cycling community.

“We have a dynamic Advisory Group who represent a variety of viewpoints,” added Hanlon. “It is an honour to be involved with determined and committed leaders who are change-makers in their own right.”

Formed following a series of AusCycling workshops that defined the organisation’s purpose, vision, behaviours, and values, the Advisory Group will support the Board and Management in implementing frameworks that will advance the sport’s agenda of inclusive and diverse participation and pathways.

“While the Advisory Group will set the frameworks that will be driven through the whole organisation, we also want to give ownership to everyone as we see this is an opportunity for the entire organisation to pursue excellence,” explained McLeod.

“We know that there are amazing people on the frontline at the grassroots level doing the hard yards, developing these programs, working in a very strategic way. We want to ensure we do not miss opportunities to amplify this. I believe that success can be driven from the bottom up.”

The Advisory Group will aim to improve opportunities and participation across several areas, including gender equality and gender equity, Indigenous populations, diverse sexes and sexualities, those with a disability, plus culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“We recognise that our voices do not represent every area and community, so we will look to gain further insights to create a strategy focused on driving a welcoming, diverse and inclusive cycling community,” said Hanlon.

The overarching goal of ensuring every community across Australia can be welcomed into cycling and experience it for themselves will guide the Advisory Group as it begins to build frameworks.

“As a cyclist, I know the benefits that I get from it. It is no different regardless of whether you are somebody with a disability, whether you come from a refugee background, whether you are a little girl,” added McLeod.

“We will aim to make cycling a space where everyone wants to be. We believe that everyone should all be able to experience the freedom that comes with cycling, so we want to ensure cycling is a community where everyone feels welcome.”

Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group

• Co-chair - Jenni McLeod
• Co-chair - Professor Clare Hanlon
• Carol Cooke AM PLY
• Gracie Elvin OLY
• Chyloe Kurdas
• Kirk Mitchell
• Adam Phelan
• Shahrzad Shahnia