Dr. Spotswood is back at this year’s IMBA Europe Summit as a guest speaker

Dr Fiona Spotswood will be speaking at this year’s IMBA Summit in Vienna 22-24th May 2024.

The IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) Europe Summit is a unique opportunity for a cross-sectoral knowledge exchange in the field of mountain biking. The summit have included more women than ever in the programme of speakers and presenters, and as part of their goal to encourage more women into mountain biking, IMBA are kickstarting a new European Women in MTB network.

More details on the summit can be found here IMBA Europe Summit 2024 — IMBA Europe (imba-europe.org)

Dr Fiona Spotswood joined Pedro Lopes on his Podcast, Ride to Success.

Breaking down barriers in women’s mountain biking

“It is really important to integrate women into all levels of mountain bike culture, but also look at changes in the cultural representation of mountain biking in how women can be involved in leadership in mountain biking and cycle sport at all levels.”

Dr Fiona Spotswood joined Pedro Lopes on his Podcast, Ride to Success. They delve into issues of gender inequality in mountain biking and discuss the following areas;

  • Project FIAS: Bridging the Gender Divide in Action Sports
  • Unveiling the Hidden Barriers: Key Findings on Gender Inequality
  • Building Inclusive Communities: The Heart of Project FIAS
  • Changing the Narrative: The Power of Communities and Marketing
  • The Impact of Media and Marketing on Mountain Biking’s Image
  • Successful Strategies for Cultivating Diversity on the Trails
  • Stories of Change: Transformative Moments in Mountain Biking
  • Looking Ahead: The Future Path of Project FIAS

Ride To Success podcast makes debut - News - BikeBiz

Links to the podcast:
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eNgcEQm5
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eP9qmTPc
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/efbeFJkb

Social Links to Ride to Success:
Follow Pedro Couto Lopes: https://lnkd.in/eMUx2By5
Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eh5qZgcY
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/ehjqVptX

FIAS Roadshows, MBWales and embedding the FIAS Framework

The FIAS team is in the process of running our ‘roadshow workshops’ with our consortium of partners – British Cycling, Forestry England, Welsh Cycling, Scottish Cycling and Forestry England. The workshops are designed to initiate conversations about how the four strategic areas in the Framework can inform, shape and transform the work of these partner organisations and further transform mountain bike culture towards gender inclusivity. We are lucky to have excellent support from all our partners, and their energy will enable us to build on existing work and accelerate change. Our first roadshow was with Forestry England at their annual Cycle Network Meeting, held in the Forest of Dean. “We could have talked through FIAS for two days, let alone two hours”, admitted one of the workshop delegates. We agree!

Fi Spotswood presenting research findings to Forestry England

Our Welsh Cycling partnership is led by Robbie George, Director of Development and Participation. He has an ambitious plans for cultural transformation in mountain biking in Wales. Working with Robbie, we are embedding the FIAS Framework into plans for MBWales, a national programme designed to

  • Develop, maintain and grow a sustainable network of diverse mountain biking trails suitable for all levels of rider.
  • Foster an inclusive, vibrant mountain biking community through events, workshops, and skill-building programs.
  • Promote eco-friendly practices such as regenerative trails to and work with industry partners to ensure the preservation of our cherished outdoor environment.
  • Boost tourism and economic growth in local communities by attracting mountain biking enthusiasts and supporting cycle friendly tourist infrastructure.
  • Campaign on behalf of the sector to improve trail access and investment (both public & private) in MTB in Wales.

The FIAS Team will be working with Welsh Cycling to build inclusive mountain biking into MBWales, starting with the MBWales Gathering on 10th May. On LinkedIn, Robbie writes:

“We’re kickstarting discussions on the 10th May @ The Lodge, Staylittle (thanks Phill Stasiw for hosting), in the heart of Powys, and pleased to be welcoming Fiona Spotswood Maria Moxey Martin Hurcombe to work through the #FIAS Framework to ensure we embed considerations about leadership, culture, representation and inclusion throughout our work moving forward.

“Looking forward to engaging with partners from MB Wales Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales BikePark Wales Plas y Brenin Revolution Bike Park Trash Free Trails Pedal MTB and more to get the wheels turning and build on the excellent work already achieved to date”.

He adds, “If you are a sector leader in Wales sign up via the link” Developing MTB in Wales – are you in? (office.com).

We are so excited to work with Robbie and the team at Welsh Cycling and we can’t wait to continue the roadshow workshops over the next few months.

Game On screening – Bristol University’s report

Bristol University has posted an excellent precis of the Game On screening and subsequent discussion over on its blog page, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t link to it here!

Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport

Game On screening – what an event!

Fi writes:

Thank you so much Sue Anstiss MBE for coming to Bristol to share your wonderful film with us. We enjoyed our ‘Game On’ day.

We welcomed wonderful academic colleagues to Bristol in the morning for a symposium discussing all things gender inequality and sport. Huge thanks to Jessica Francombe-Webb, Sheree Bekker, Luke Jones, Mike O Mahoney, Jean Williams, Kath Woodward and Katie Liston for joining me and Martin Hurcombe for a wonderfully thought provoking morning.

In the afternoon we welcomed school students from Clifton High School, colleagues at the University of Bristol Business School and across the university, students and members of the Womens Sport Collective to Bristol to share Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport.

We had a fascinating panel discussion afterwards, featuring Sue Anstiss MBE of course, but also Aneela McKenna (Mòr Diversity), Aoife Glass, Zoe Woodman and Professor Jean Williams.

The audience questions were fascinating, and we touched on grassroots sport, brand influence, activism, authenticity and much more. Thanks to all involved in a wonderful day celebrating, discussing and imagining the trajectory of women’s sport.

New Podcast of Kelly Film Discussion

We recently wrote about Fi’s attendance at the premiere of Kelly, a new film about Kelly-Jayne Collinge, a Cotic ambassador and Komoot community Manager. It charts her journey into mountain biking, and the reaction of her industry partners when she announced that she was pregnant (If you’ve not already done so, you can watch it here).

Award winning podcaster Aoife Glass, from Spindrift, hosted the subsequent panel discussion, and it’s now available up on the Spindrift site as a podcast.

Featuring Fi, alongside Aoife, Kelly Jayne Collinge, Vicky Balfour, Bron Black and Dr Phoebe Sneddon, Topics ranged from cycling, pregnancy and  motherhood, representation of women in cycling, accessible trails, how the  bike industry can increase diversity and better support women, how cycling is portrayed amongst many other topics!

Give it a listen at the Spindrift site

FIAS at Reframing Mountain Biking Conference 2024

On 1-2 March 2024, Fi was invited to speak at the latest Reframing Mountain Biking conference which was held in Sheffield. First held in 2022, the Ride Sheffield organised conference aims to assess how mountain biking in the UK can progress, and some of the challenges it faces as it does so. It aims to make mountain biking a ‘better, more inclusive and sustainable, fun space for all’.

Fi and other delegates at the 2022 event. Pic by GuyKesTV

Over the two days of the conference, delegates witnessed talks on closing the gender gap, social impact marketing, the relationship between eMTB, disability and Green exercise, getting more people on bikes through sustainable MTB, and Fi spoke on ‘Developing a Toolkit for Community Led Initiatives’.

Speakers included Adam Dayson (WorkWith Studios), Fee Wallace ( Aberdeenshire Trail Association and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland), Dr James Cherrington (Sheffield Hallam University ), Dave Evans (UK Trails Project, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland), and Hans Stoops (IMBA Europe).

Fi also presented the Project FIAS research findings and introduced the Framework, as she explains:

“It was received well, and the further workshops in the afternoon were a chance to explore some of our key pillars. I took part on ‘rethinking storytelling in mountain biking”.

On day two, the delegates decamped to Parkwood Springs for some MTB-based engagement sessions such as trail maintenance or skills training.

For more information on the Reframing Mountain Biking conference, please see the website here.

Trailblazer Sue Anstiss to visit Bristol for Game On screening

The GAME ON event that Project FIAS is hosting has a new press release from the University of Bristol!

Trailblazer visits Bristol to celebrate women’s sport and inspire next generation of players

People in Bristol are invited to a special screening of the hit Netflix documentary Game On, which celebrates the inspiring rise of women’s sport and features some of the world’s most successful sports stars.

The free event, hosted by the University of Bristol on Wednesday March 13, includes a panel discussion with the film’s director Sue Anstiss MBE, a women’s sport activist who has championed positive change for more than 30 years.

The discussion, featuring leading experts in the field, will explore the role of media in generating a more inclusive future for women’s sport.

Event facilitator Dr Fiona Spotswood, Associate Professor in Marketing and Consumption at the University of Bristol Business School, said: “This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to watch a fantastic film about how far women’s sport has progressed, especially in recent years.

“It’s also a chance to hear from the director, who has played such a pivotal role in this historic movement, as well as other leading practitioners. While there is much to celebrate, there are also still significant barriers to overcome and we look forward to talking about such obstacles and how we can tackle them together.”

Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport, which is also a book, focuses on the surging popularity of women’s football fuelled by the phenomenal performances of women’s teams and increased media coverage prompting greater spectator numbers.

But inequality in sports participation remains an issue and the lack of diversity in cultural representation on media platforms can perpetuate this. The discussion will explore what challenges persist and proven ways to promote inclusivity and help achieve equality.

Game On, which charts the past, present and future for women’s sport and its impact on society,was released last summer, coinciding with high-profile female sporting action such as The Ashes, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Netball World Cup.

Told through the eyes of sporting legends and pioneers, it includes interviews with Olympic gold medallist heptathlete Denise Lewis, BBC presenter Clare Balding, Paralympian wheelchair racer Tanni Grey-Thompson, England footballer Kelly Smith, Rugby Union player Ugo Monye, England netballer Pamela Cookey, and TV sports presenters Clare Balding and Laura Woods. It also follows the journeys of professional rugby player Poppy Cleall and professional boxer Katie Taylor.

Sue Anstiss MBE, who received the title for services to women’s sport in 2018, said: “I’m really looking forward to visiting Bristol and hope this beautiful, engaging film will strike a chord with both male and female audiences. The goal is to open people’s minds to the power sport has to drive change in society, and showcase the obstacles female athletes still face in their fight for equality.

“It was a privilege to film with such an array of sporting talent both on and off the field. Our panel discussion promises to explore the opportunities and challenges ahead for women’s sport, while also hopefully inspiring future generations.”

Tickets are limited and available on a first come first served basis, so please book in advance.

GAME ON – Netflix film screening from the UoB Business School

Game ON; the unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport is a documentary funded by Netflix, and written and directed by Sue Anstiss, author of the book of the same name.

It documents the rise of women’s sport, and also highlights the challenges it faces when seeking exposure on a similar footing to men’s sport, which enjoys vastly more coverage and support.

Project FIAS is hosting a FREE OF CHARGE screening of the film on March 13th at 14:30.

Following the screening, Sue Anstiss will join a panel discussing the issues raised,  chaired by Dr Fi Spotswood. Panellists will include Aneela McKenna, Aoife Glass, Jean Williams and Zoe Woodman.

Tickets are available now – click here to get yours! 

New Film Celebrates Motherhood and Mountainbiking

Fi writes:

I’ve returned home from Sheffield today after a night of in a pub with good beer in the company of folk from the mountain biking community.

Supported by Cotic Bikes, we came together to celebrate the launch of a new mountain bike film. For me, this film, and some others I’ve seen cropping up recently, represents the new curation of mountain bike culture, with women fully at the helm.

The film that premiered last night, all 15 gloriously crafted minutes of it, is about Kelly. Kelly-Jane Collinge herself embodies the future of mountain biking and action sports cultures. She rides for adrenaline and sheer fun; for mindfulness, to be connected with others, and to spend time with her little son. She rides with her partner, with their friends. She rides to explore and to be alone. The way she lives and rides embodies a different story of mountain biking. As one participant in my research put it, “mountain biking can be everything”. Maybe we are beginning to rework the culture of the sport. Maybe we can open it up and invite people in who aren’t white, male and (only) rad.

Last night in Sheffield there was an atmosphere of attentive listening to the women dominating the stage. We shared experiences of motherhood, pregnancy, bikepacking with children, riding to feel the absolute abject joy and childishness of squirming tyres and mild peril. And everyone was there to listen, think and celebrate this new kind of story. It’s certainly time.

Thank you Kelly, and the other panellists Vicky Balfour, Phoebe and Bron. Thank you Aoife Glass for always being ready to professionally guide these incredibly important moments of storytelling that shape the future of our sport. Thank you to Cotic Bikes, Rich, Cy and Hannah for supporting our research on Project FIAS from day 1 (https://lnkd.in/eR_qr2xj).

You can watch the film here