Briggs Defence sponsors REME cycling association
The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) have received a welcome boost from Briggs Defence, which is helping to promote teambuilding skills within the Corps by sponsoring its cycling association.
The specialist division of asset management and engineering services specialist Briggs Equipment, Briggs Defence has signed a three-year deal to support REME Cycling Association’s road racing and mountain biking teams.
REME Cycling Association was established in 2010 and was set up to develop cycling in all disciplines for Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers personnel at all levels from complete novice up to selection for the British Army Cycling Race Teams.
Steve Munson, Head of Finance at Briggs Defence, said: “We believe in being active within the military communities in which we operate and this is our way of giving something back to those who protect our nation.
“As a team sport, cycling brings together participants from all levels and ranks within the Armed Forces and is a key contributing factor in promoting team work, which is at the very heart of the military ethos.”
Under the terms of the sponsorship agreement, which runs until March 2020, Briggs Defence branding will feature prominently on event banners and Corps clothing. Importantly, the REME Cycling Association has been able to invest in its own timing equipment along with static bikes that members can borrow to improve and develop their fitness. The funding will also go towards performance testing and winter training plans and the development of the Enduro and XC mountain biking teams for the 2018 season.
In this year’s Army Cycling Road Race Series, which takes place over ten rounds, REME Cycling Association members finished second overall and scooped the honours for top veteran and third placed male and female competitors. Corps members also won the Inter-services Time Trial Championships over the 10-mile and 25-mile distances, finished second and third respectively in the 10-mile and 25-mile National Time Trial Championships, and won the Army Road and Inter-Services Road Race Championships.
REME Cycling Association’s mountain biking specialists were Inter Corps Champions in the Army Cycling XC Race series and also finished as the top Major Unit and third-placed Minor Unit. In the Enduro Championships REME swept the board, not only emerging as Inter Corps Champions, but also claiming the top three places in the Inter Unit competition.
Warrant Officer Class II Rob Jones, Road Racing Secretary at REME Cycling Association, said: “Cycling encourages self-discipline while also fostering a team spirit. Thanks to Briggs Defence’s sponsorship we will be able to help more serving REME regulars and reserves, of all abilities, fulfil their potential in all cycling disciplines.
“Participation in both road racing and mountain biking is improving, but we’re always keen to encourage the younger generation, and more women in particular, to get involved in the inclusive sport of cycling.”
This year, REME staged the inaugural CORPSDURO, an inter-services timed multi-stage enduro event, clinching outright victory against stiff competition from more than 140 riders representing Army, Navy and RAF teams. So successful was the CORPSDURO that it is expected to become an annual event comprising three rounds.