Siân Mulholland has made a significant contribution to women’s cycling through coaching development, administration, organisation and a mentor for many young and not-so-young cyclists since she moved to the ACT 30 years ago.
Siân commenced cycling in Gilgandra, NSW in 1971 and was the only female in a club of 30 members. Siân competed in country areas with success in an era where championships were not conducted for females. Sian became the first woman to represent Australia in the World Track Cycling Championships in 1982.
During the 1980s, while still competing at an elite level Siân’s contribution to women’s cycling was tireless. She secured significant sponsorship and publicity for the women’s category in notable events such as the Canberra Tour. Siân promoted women’s cycling events and encouraged female cyclists to compete in events that they would not normally have considered entering.
She was secretary of her local cycling club and contributed articles on women’s cycling to Active, the then newsletter of the Australian Sports Commission’s Women in Sport Unit; and wrote a regular column for the national publication Australasian Cycling and Triathlon News. Sian conducted the first Australian women’s cycling camp in Canberra, which was attended by 30 women.
Since 1990, as an accredited coach and promoter of Women’s Cycling Siân has had significant achievements in the promotion and development of women’s cycling in coverage for Canberra’s Tour de Femme race (largest female only cycling race in the Southern Hemisphere) and providing radio commentary for that event.
In 2001-02, as a member of the ACT Cycling Federation committee, with a portfolio focussing on women’s issues, Siân developed a women’s cycling strategy for ACT Cycling Federation with the aim of creating initiatives to encourage more women into competitive cycling. Siân also produced a cycle racing manual and conducted a six-week training program for a group of women competing in the cycling events at the Australian Masters Games in 2001.
Siân is a foundation member, office bearer and ongoing coach of Females in Training, a Canberra-based fitness organisation.
Siân has remained an active cyclist and was named ACT Masters Track Cyclist of the Year for 2003.
In more recent times Siân has been very successful with her coaching of elite local cyclists Vicki Whitelaw, Bron Ryan and Chloe Hosking, and Australian representative para cyclist Sue Powell .
CYCLING
Born: 3 April 1959
Inducted: 2009
Associate Member