At Ensemble Manchester, community events extend beyond culture and heritage. They also include sport as a tool for inclusion, confidence and collective participation.
The Ensemble Cycle Speedway Club reflects this approach. Supported by funding from the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust, the club was set up to provide accessible and affordable cycling activities for young people from under represented groups in Manchester.
This initiative responds to a clear community need.
Many young people, particularly from Black ethnic minority backgrounds and especially girls, face barriers to accessing organised sport. Cost, equipment and lack of safe spaces often limit participation.
Our cycling sessions remove these barriers.
• Free or low cost access
• Safe off road cycle speedway tracks
• Equipment provided
• Activities adapted for beginners
Community events organised through the club focus on participation before performance.
Young people start with basic cycling skills. They build confidence through solo riding. As confidence grows, they take part in group activities such as pursuit and scratch races. The focus stays on enjoyment, teamwork and shared experience.
So far, 16 young people have joined the club. The aim is steady growth year after year, with long term sustainability rooted in community ownership.
Bike maintenance plays a central role.
During sessions, participants learn how to maintain and repair bicycles. This supports sustainability and opens pathways to skills development and future employment opportunities. Young people become self sufficient and gain practical knowledge beyond sport.
Community impact is visible.
• Improved teamwork and social confidence
• Increased participation of girls in cycling
• Stronger links within the Cameroon heritage community
• New skills linked to sustainability and employability
The grant supported essential equipment.
• Bikes and safety gear
• Helmets, gloves and club jerseys
• Bike maintenance tools
• Facility hire for sessions
These resources allowed the club to launch and operate consistently. The result is a regular community event that brings young people together around shared activity and learning.
Our objective remains clear.
We want children who are not traditionally involved in cycle sport to participate, enjoy cycling and develop skills in a supportive environment. Growth matters, but accessibility remains the priority.
This cycling initiative sits alongside our cultural and heritage programmes. Together, they show how community events, whether through music, food or sport, strengthen connection, participation and long term social value.
