Gildernew hosts Cycling Champions at Stormont

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has met with champion cyclist Maeve Baxter to discuss her sporting success.

Maeve from Rostrevor, County Down recently took the silver medal in the 30-34 age category for the second year in a row at the World Masters Downhill Championships in Pra Loup.

Discussing Maeve’s sporting triumph, the Minister said: “Maeve is a great ambassador for local sport and indeed the entire region. Winning once is no small achievement but to achieve it in back to back years is a terrific achievement that illustrates Maeve’s resolve and dedication to cycling. Her victory is a not only a great personal achievement for Maeve herself but also puts Irish sportsmen and women on an international stage."

The Minister added: “Local success stories like Maeve’s will inspire more local sporting talents. As an Executive Minister whose responsibilities include the public forest estate, I believe that our forests offer great potential to facilitate a more diverse range of recreational facilities and tourist attractions. Forest Service’s Recreation and Social Use Strategy demonstrates our commitment to work with the public and private sectors to facilitate the development of such opportunities.

“My officials are currently working with NITB, CAAN, and the District Councils as potential operating partners, to develop a cycling product that the Department’s forests can facilitate in the Mournes area. I wish everyone I met today all the best in their sporting careers and look forward to hearing of their successes in the future.”

At the Stormont meeting, the Minister also met Andrew Yoong, who won a bronze medal at the same event, and Glyn O’ Brien who won two world medals at the World Police and Firefighter Games in Vancouver. The Minister also passed on her congratulations to Michael Cowen who won a silver medal in the European Masters in Slovenia.

Notes to editors:

1. The Forest Service manages 76,000ha of forest land in a sustainable manner and as a result forests provide a balance of economic, environmental and social benefits to the people of Northern Ireland. There are presently over 100 forests that provide some recreational facilities.
2. Further details of the Recreation and Social Use Strategy are available on the Forest Service website or by phoning Forest Service on 028 9076 5391.
3. The Strategy demonstrates Forest Service’s commitment to work in partnership with public and private sector operators to secure a more diverse range of facilities and attractions.
4. The Forestry Bill is at the Committee stage and the aim is to ensure that the new forestry legislation provides the necessary statutory framework to enable the full potential of forests to be realised.
5. The Strategy recognises that partnership working will allow opportunities to be fully developed and outlines the potential for the involvement of others through partnership arrangements.
6. The responsibility for the development of policy on sport rests with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.
7. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440, and your call will be returned.