Youth Commission:
The first official underage commission was formed in January 2002 with a total of 15 people involved. There were 7 disciplines identified in underage and these were divided into three sub-committee's. Sporting and road, Coaching Track and M.T.B. The commission held several meetings during the year and it's activities included holding a coaching weekend at Dromintine Co Down, National Youth Tour, All Ireland Championships and the National league.
As chairman of the underage commission I feel there was need for change in the composition of the committee as it was too cumbersome to work properly I have reduced the size of the commission to eight people by inviting the underage rep from each province and one other person from each region. The people on the underage commission for 2003 are
Michael McKenna and Ken Dunlop "Ulster"
Dan Curtin and Ciaran Lanigan "Munster"
Pat Coyle and Noel Kelly "Leinster"
Ronan Ward and Eamon Marrey "Connacht"

Youth Olympics
Padraig Marrey, Ken Dunlop and Dan Curtin have been busy running two training camps in Athlone and Limerick and outlining training programmes, special race events for the youth to race in, if they wish to be on the panel for the Youth Olympics.
One team of 3 riders will be chosen to represent Ireland in the Youth Olympics.
The Olympics start in Paris on 26th July with an opening ceremony; on the 28th they will take part in an 8km Time Trail. Critrium which includes heats will take part on the 29th, and 64km road race on the 31st with the closing ceremony on August 2nd.
The 3 selectors, who will pick the squad for Paris, will be Tom Keenan, Michael McKenna and Kenny Dunlop.

Coaching
This year a Coaching and Training camp was held in February at Carlingford Co Louth, it was well attended by riders from Ulster and Leinster.

National League
The National league has been planned and the final for the event will be held on the 29th June in Athlone. Only cyclists who qualified in their regional finals will be eligible to compete in the Nationals finals.

Manchester Veledrome
Two squads of U16 and U15 cyclists from Ulster and Munster have attended the Veledrome in Manchester this year, from Sunday 16th February until Wednesday 19th February. This was a great experience for all who attended with a total of 9 riders given the pink slip, which allows them to take part in selected races.

All Irelands
The Venue for this years All Ireland Championships is Enniskillen Co Fermanagh, which will be held on 23rd and 24th August. There are excellent facilities available and accommodation is plentiful in the area, but it is advisable to book early. More details will follow later.

YOUTH PROGRAMME EVENTS FOR 2004 FOR THE ULSTER REGION CYCLISTS

1. Sat 17th April Stamullen - 3.00pm -Leinster
2. Sat 1st-3rd May Corkman 3 day -3.00pm - Munster
3. Sat 8th May Galway City - 3.00pm -Connacht .
4. Sun 23rd May Emyvale - 1.00pm -Ulster
5. Sun 30th May Phoenix Park Dublin Ras Inter Provincial Youth Challenge.U16, U14, U12. - 11.00am.
Ulster League Events Selection for All-Ireland Finals at Athlone.
1)Sun 24th April Dromore 12.00 noon.
2)Sun 16 May St Angelo Enniskillen 2.00 pm.
3)Sun 23rd May Emyvale 1.00pm.
4)Sun 6th June Banbridge 12.00 noon.
Track Selection Events For Manchester Veledrome
1)Sat 3rd July Orangefield Belfast -1200noon
2)Sat 10th-11th July Sundrive Dublin -1200noon.
3)Sat 7th August Orangefield Belfast -1200noon.
4)Ulster selected squads Veledrome Manchester- Oct 2004.
Championship Races
1) Sat 5th June Cycling Ulster T.T.Championships - Richill - 2.00pm.
2) Sat 13th -Sun 14th June All Ireland Skills/Track/Team Pursuit -Ballinrobe.
3) Sat 19th June Cycling Ulster Road Race Championships_Richill- 10.00am
4) Sun 27th June All-Ireland Finals Athlone 12.00 noon.
5) Sat 7th Aug Ulster Track Championships Orangefield Belfast - 12.00noon.
6) Sat 21st -Sun 22nd Aug All Ireland Championships - Drogheda - 10.00am.
Events for Ulster Selected Teams
1) Corkman 3 day. 1st -3rd May
2) Kerry Youth Tour 31st-July - 2nd Aug
. 3) Manchester Youth Tour 28th 29th 30th Aug
4) Track Veledrome Manchester Oct 2004.
Skills Competition
Skills day will be run on the weekend of 10th and 11th July at Sundrive Track Dublin in conjunction with progression 2 Track Riders Accreditation.
Criterium Events 1)Lurgan Town Centre Friday 13th August- 7.00pm.
Training/Coaching Events
1)Craigavon Sat 4th Sun 5th Dec with Mark Scanlon. Sign on 9.30am Sat.
Check Cycling Ireland Handbook Calendar for other Road Racing Events.