Star Search: Life Cycling Academy

Often the
word transformation stirs up all sorts of bad connotations when spoken about
within the context of South African sport. But for Chief Executive Officer of the
Life Cycling Academy (LCA), Glyn Broomberg, transformation means sharing and
caring, and he derives great satisfaction from seeing people make a success of
their lives.

This former
gym owner and recreational cyclist got involved in transformation about four years
ago when he launched a small cycling program as part of his company’s corporate
social investment program. Soon, he found himself drawn to the prospect of
contributing full time to the upliftment of our previously disadvantaged
communities.

Glyn then
met Amos Ziqubu, a resident of Khayelitsha, who had already been trying to
promote the sport in the township for a few years. The two of them then decided
to put all of their energy and efforts into seeing township cycling taken to
the next level.

In 2004 the
Academy was officially registered as a Section 21 Company (non-profit) and Amos
and Glyn set about implementing the structures that were required to ensure
that their efforts and input were sustainable and would have meaningful
outcomes.

In March 2004
Glyn sold his interest in his gym and along with Amos dedicated himself to
promoting and establishing the Life
Cycling Academy
on a full time basis.

The Academy
is well known in cycling circles and in a short space of time has followed
through on its vision of being the foremost organization in South Africa
with regards to the transformation of the sport of recreational and competitive
cycling. Their programs include school education programs through to elite
level participation programs.

gsport spoke
to Glyn Broomberg about his passion for transformation and about the LCA’s
vision of taking township cycling to a whole new level.

Glyn, what prompted you to launch the Life Cycling
Academy?

I got
involved in transformation about four years ago when I started a small cycling
program in Masephumelele, near Kommetjie on the Cape South Peninsula as part of my company’s social
investment program.

I soon
realized that there was very little being done in terms of creating viable and
sustainable opportunities for the youth of our previously disadvantaged
communities to participate in cycling as a sport.

The program
started to grow quite rapidly and it wasn’t long before Amos Ziqubu, a
co-founder, and myself made the decision to resign from our jobs and take this on
in a full time capacity in order for the LCA to achieve its true potential.

Tell us about some of the programs the Academy runs
and how they’ve been received?

Part of our
philosophy from the beginning was to make the LCA a part of the communities
that we have a presence in. To this effect we have worked very closely with
community leaders and members in order for them to accept the project as a
vehicle for empowerment for the participants.

The LCA is a
step based organization and our programs range from school education to elite
level national participation.

Safe Cycling Training Course: This is a school based program that
educates school goers as to proper and safe ways in which to use a bicycle on
the roads. The program visits schools and presents theory and practical courses
to the participants who are then encouraged to join in a cycling program in
their area.

Pick ‘n Pay Ascends Cycling Program: This is our mass participation
program with branches in Khayelitsha, Masephumelele, Gugulethu, Makaza and
Knysna. The program encourages different levels of recreational riding with the
opportunity for participants to get involved with more competitive cycling if
they wish to do so. The program currently has about 500 participants.

Acsis competitive cycling program: This is the elite level cycling
program of the LCA. Should participants wish to get serious about competing and
they have the talent to do so they are given the opportunity in this program.

The program
consists of a junior and U23/elite program which includes South Africa’s
only registered "black" professional cycling team.

An important
aspect of all of our programs is that the LCA looks at the athletes in a
holistic manner and therefore incorporates as many life skill development
programs as possible.

How many females have been put through the Academy
so far?

Black female
cyclists are quite scarce as it is not a sport that has traditionally attracted
young ladies. We have done a lot of work in the community to change the
perception of ladies and cycling and are starting to see a mind shift that is
allowing for more female participation.

We have
probably dealt with about 20 odd female cyclists over the years and currently
have nine ladies who are fairly serious about competing.

Zanele Tshoko
is probably the most advanced black female cyclist in the country as she has
really embraced the sport and is giving it every opportunity to change her
life. She is a real inspiration and I am sure that her success has had a lot to
do with other young ladies deciding to give it a go.

How is the Academy’s work funded, and how have
sponsors contributed to its success?

The LCA
relies entirely on sponsorship and it is only through our partners that we have
been able to achieve the level of operation that we have today. Good ideas are
a dime a dozen and good causes are also plentiful.

We have
certainly discovered that by presenting the proper set of credentials and
having proper business systems in place we have been able to attract partners
that are as serious about bringing change about as we are.

What can be done to further improve the state of
women’s cycling in South
Africa?

The million
rand question!! A lot needs to be done all around. There are some structures
out there like Cbist Racing that are dedicated to improving the level of ladies
cycling and individuals like Erica Green that are passionate about promoting
girls and their cycling but they need to be given the support that they need to
achieve their goals and objectives.

What is your advice to young women keen to take up
the sport of cycling?

If you are
serious about cycling get in contact with a club in your area as this is the
best way to learn and have the support of other cyclists. If you are wanting to
be competitive then I would suggest either Cbist or Erica Green as a starting
point. (I have both contact details and would happily pass them on if needed –
just contact the LCA office)

What is the long term vision of Life Cycling
Academy?

We want to
create and see sustainable and effective transformation of cycling on both the
recreational and competitive level. In other words we want to see growth of
individuals through cycling.

We are
currently working on the plans for the first cycling centre in a previously disadvantaged
community, the Velokhaya Cycling Centre. This is being done in conjunction with
our partners in Team CSC, the world’s leading professional cycling team based
in Denmark.

This centre
is going to give the youth a real opportunity to become top class elite
cyclists that are able to participate on a national and international level. (www.velokhaya.com)

What drives your passion to promote and develop
cycling among those who previously never had the opportunity?

The second
million rand question!!

I derive
great satisfaction in seeing people making a success of their lives. I can
think of nothing more satisfying than creating a platform from which young
people can improve and empower themselves.

When you get
to be involved in these communities, your previous perceptions are changed and
you see how, although equipped with very little, some of these youngsters have
a real passion to improve their lives and you can have something to do with it
– what a pleasure.

Make no
mistake this isn’t about hand outs and free rides, I have worked very hard at
making the LCA an organization which is able to bring meaningful change about
and I expect nothing less from the elite athletes in their own lives so that
their hard work can create the opportunities for their future success in
life. 

Who should someone contact if they would like to get
involved and support the work of the Academy?

Currently we
are only operational in the Cape Town
and Knysna, but there is nothing stopping anyone who is interested in being
involved from contacting us, by this I mean cyclists or potential partners. Our
details are:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (021)
782 2183 (8am – 1.30pm, Monday to Friday)

Anyone
wishing to support the LCA can contact me directly on 072 170 7547.