AusCycling has announced a scholarship for young commissaires that will honour the legacy of one of Australian cycling's most distinguished administrators.
The Ray Godkin OAM Scholarship will support emerging commissaires and officials to advance their skills through immersive development experiences.
The scholarship, developed in consultation with AusCycling’s History and Heritage Committee, will perpetuate Godkin’s lifelong commitment to developing talent across all areas of the sport.
The late Ray Godkin OAM (left) had a lifelong passion for developing the sport. (Supplied)
Ray Godkin OAM (1934–2025) was a pioneer of cycling in Australia. He dedicated much of his life to the advancement of the sport through extensive roles as competitor, administrator, and technical official.
Born in Homebush, NSW, Godkin raced competitively until his retirement at age 42. His administrative career included a transformative 15-year tenure as president of the Australian Cycling Federation; serving as treasurer of the International Amateur Cycling Federation; contributing heavily to the formation of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI); serving as UCI senior vice president; and becoming the inaugural president of the Oceania Cycling Confederation.
Godkin's administrative career included extensive roles with the UCI. (Supplied)
Godkin was a UCI Technical Delegate at nine Commonwealth Games and six Olympic Games; chair of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association for over a decade; and served on the Australian Olympic Committee executive.
He also facilitated the introduction of cycling to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), catalysing decades of international success.
The Ray Godkin OAM Scholarship will recognise his lifelong commitment to nurturing young talent across all roles in cycling – athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators.
Two scholarships will be awarded annually to emerging commissaires and officials from Olympic or Paralympic cycling disciplines who demonstrate potential for advancement in technical officiating.
The recipients will participate in immersive professional development experiences designed to advance their technical skills and knowledge, modelled on successful programs such as the AIS National Generation 2032 Coach Program.
The new scholarship will support emerging commissaires. (Con Chronis)
AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner said this strategic investment will bridge an existing gap in the sport of cycling.
“Commissaires and officials are the essential, yet often invisible, infrastructure of our sport,” said Ms Fechner.
“Despite their critical role, the commissaire pathway has historically received less investment and fewer structured development opportunities compared to athletes and coaches.
“The Ray Godkin OAM Scholarship will honour Ray's vision of building capacity across all aspects of the sport, ensuring Australian cycling has the skilled officials needed to support athletes from grassroots through to international competition.
“With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, AusCycling is investing in emerging Australian commissaires to ensure they will be well-placed to be appointed for a home Games.”
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Two recipients will be chosen each year from Olympic or Paralympic disciplines. (Get Snapt)
The family of Ray Godkin said the scholarship reflects his lifelong passion.
“The Godkin family expresses its deep gratitude to AusCycling for honouring the memory of Ray by establishing this prestigious scholarship in his name,” said a representative of the family.
“Ray was a committed cyclist and tireless supporter of cycling throughout his life, both in Australia and internationally at the top levels of the UCI.
“His passion for the constant development of the sport is perfectly reflected by the nature of the scholarship, which will help to ensure Australia continues to benefit from excellence in cycling administration from community participation right through to elite success. We wish AusCycling and future recipients every success with this wonderful initiative.”
Godkin (far left) shakes hands with the NSW Premier at the opening of the Canterbury Velodrome in 1984. (Supplied)
AusCycling Hall of Fame Chair Matthew Keenan said the scholarship will continue the extensive legacy of Ray Godkin.
“Ray played an enormous role in Australian cycling for more than five decades and was among our inaugural AusCycling Hall of Fame inductees, in 2015”, said Mr Keenan.
“Ray’s work was predominately in the background, including playing a key role in establishing the Australian Institute of Sport cycling program, giving generations of young Australian cyclists the chance to chase their dreams.
“He did the work that made racing possible, so it is fitting that a scholarship in his name is for the development of our next generation of commissaires, because without commissaires there is no racing.
“Ray’s legacy of supporting others to chase their cycling dreams, on and off the bike, continues.”