Following a successful and productive 9 years at the helm of Banbridge Cycling Club, our Chairman Maurice Mayne stepped down from the role at the recent 2021 Banbridge CC AGM.
Club President Willie Weir Presents Maurice on behalf of the membership at the recent AGM
During his 9 years in charge Maurice poured time, love, passion, stress, commitment and sheer hard work into the club. Known for his love of off road cycling, including MTB and CX, Maurice reached out to the other disciplines within the club early in his tenure; helping bring the club together as a more unified unit. Leaving the relative comfort of the off road trails, Maurice even tried his hand at a few road events, including the time trials, road races and annual charity rides.
While Maurice may have been leading the club as Chairman, he’s never been one to shy away from the hard work either. Whether it be building MTB trails, making and serving soup with his wife Susan at club events, setting out barriers, marshalling at a corner, driving lead vehicles or officials – Maurice has done it all.
A proud moment; Maurice collects the Cycling Ireland 2015 National Club of the Year Award on behalf of Banbridge CC
The club has went from strength to strength under Maurice’s command. Already a very successful club, with a strong history, Maurice guided the membership onto more great achievements. The highlight for Maurice would undoubtedly be the honour of winning the Cycling Ireland National Club of the Year when Maurice was presented the award at the 2015 Cycling Ireland Awards, he would then go on to do the very same a few months later to collect the Cycling Ulster Club of the Year award. Maurice still displays the awards with pride in his home today.
It hasn’t all been celebrations and accolades however, and with every club there have been challenges. Maurice’s strong but calming approach has seen the club perceiver and overcome on multiple occasions, and it’s fair to say one of Maurice’s main strengths as a Chairman has been his ability to ‘steady the ship’ during challenging times.
In his happy place! The MTB will likely be clocking up a few more hours going forward…
Fortunately for cycling, Maurice’s commitment to the sport hasn’t been limited to Banbridge CC and he has been a familiar face at off road events as a Cycling Ireland Commissaire. He has also served on the Cycling Ulster Off Road Commission, helping to develop and promote the discipline within the Province. Serving other sports in the council area, Maurice is also a voluntary member of the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Sports Forum, assisting with the development of sport in the borough.
It will be tough act to follow for incoming Chairman Aaron Wallace, but he’s already been in the fortunate position to serve as Vice Chair alongside Maurice over the last few years and is taking on the club with a strong foundation already in place.
