11 Dec Velodrome Development Foundation Adds New Director
Kathryn Bertine brings Women’s Advocacy to Foundation Programs
Philadelphia, PA: Kathryn Bertine, one of America’s most recognized advocates for gender parity in the sport of cycling has been named to the Board of Directors of the Velodrome Development Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the success of the National Velodrome Sports and Events Center, a multi-purpose sports complex and world class cycling center being planned for the Philadelphia area.
Bertine, author, athlete, activist and documentary filmmaker, brings unique perspectives and contacts to the Velodrome Development Foundation in its mission to raise awareness and funds in support of the nation’s first indoor velodrome and sports center in the Eastern United States.
During her pro cycling career, Bertine was a three-time Caribbean Champion, six-time national champion of St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) and raced for five years on the pro road circuit with four UCI domestic and World Tour teams.
After retiring from competition, she became an activist for women’s rights in sports and authored three nonfiction books, All the Sundays Yet to Come, As Good As Gold, and The Road Less Taken. From 2006 through 2012, Bertine was a columnist, author and senior editor for ESPN and, when ESPN rejected her documentary proposal, she self-produced HALF THE ROAD: The passion, pitfalls and power of women’s professional cycling which debuted in sixteen nations, won six film festivals and successfully brought the hammer down on the corruption and sexism in sports. She founded the Homestretch Foundation to advocate for women’s rights in sports and currently serves as Trek’s Ambassador for Equality in Cycling.
“We are pleased to have Kathryn join our board as a strong advocate for equal inclusion of girls and women in all our velodrome programs. Our goal of changing lives through cycling applies equally to women as men,” said Stephen Whisnant, President of the Velodrome Development Foundation.
Bertine was first made aware of the Foundation though the World Cycling League whose innovative TeamTrak racing format includes teams made up equally of men and women. The National Velodrome Sports and Events Center will be WCL’s headquarters velodrome and the venue for TeamTrak as well as for other programs designed to introduce and promote cycling to all.
“American cycling needs more professionally run facilities that showcase the inspiring talent and commitment of men and women who race at the highest levels. I look forward to working with the board to encourage more women to participate at every level of cycling,” said Bertine.