How to have a successful cycling career in South Africa as a female

[Renee swanepoel]

I have been cycling for more than 5 years mostly self taught or learning from YouTube and struggling to gain any exposure or get to races at all. I’ve been training hard and have put a lot of work and dedication but I can’t seem to get anywhere and somehow it feels like I’m circling in one area. The year 2025 is very close and I still have little support and barely any sponsors to help me get to races. Now, my biggest question is how do I or what does it take to become supported female athlete in South Africa?

Edited 18 hours ago by Renee swanepoel
Crucial information add

[ChrisF]

https://reachforrainbows.co.za/

[splat]

https://www.exxaro.com/media-and-insights/news/youth-development-through-mountain-biking/

 

[PhilipV]

Connections and results to get you noticed. 

The pool of sponsorship spend is very small, and the split for ladies is tiny. You either need to know the right people, or beat the right people. 
So go race, race hard, prepare a sponsorship CV and start introducing yourself to the right people.

[Jimmy 2.0]

This is where people get it wrong, people think that sponsorship is one way deal where they give out free stuff, money and call it a day. Its not that. Sponsorship is a two way deal where company will give you product or money and expect something back like marketing exposure, product review. At the end of the day a professional athlete is a billboard as they get noticed.

Having a career as any cyclist in SA is very cut throat. I know this as I work with them. The Sponsorship pool is very small and income wise isn't very good long-term as a pro athlete reaches a peak point in age.

My recommendation is reach out and contact Exxaro Academy and see what their criteria is. 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Jimmy 2.0

[DieselnDust]

18 hours ago, Renee swanepoel said:

I have been cycling for more than 5 years mostly self taught or learning from YouTube and struggling to gain any exposure or get to races at all. I’ve been training hard and have put a lot of work and dedication but I can’t seem to get anywhere and somehow it feels like I’m circling in one area. The year 2025 is very close and I still have little support and barely any sponsors to help me get to races. Now, my biggest question is how do I or what does it take to become supported female athlete in South Africa?

I hear you. .heres a few points to ponder, self reflect and think about building into any communications or requests for sponsorship.
what results can you share?

are you a licensed rider under CSA?

do you have an instagram profile to get your message out there?

what do you bring to a sponsor?

what can they offer you ?

how does this get you to be where you want to be? 
what are you doing to get to where you want to be?

 

sponsorship is a three way street. You , the sponsor and their market. 
if it’s not outright performance , what else can you offer?

 

I won’t mince words, if you haven’t reached a level of at least top 10 consistently in league races or in a national series you will find it hard to attract sponsors are better off selling your influence and going the brand ambassadors route as a start 

[Sally E Kirk]

ABSA has an female cyclist initiative called #SheUntamed.  Contact teamabsa@absa.africa for details.