The Women in Mountain Biking Network (WiMTB), an initiative of IMBA Europe, is proud to announce the launch of the Women in Mountain Biking Mentoring Program – a community-driven initiative designed to support, empower, and retain women working and volunteering across the mountain biking sector, with an initial focus on trail building and advocacy, guiding, and coaching.

This program directly responds to the needs expressed by women in the community. During the WiMTB Network’s launch at the IMBA Europe Summit in June 2024, participants were asked what they most wanted to see from the network. A mentoring program quickly emerged as a top priority. The message was clear: women in mountain biking want connection, guidance, and a visible pathway to shape their futures in the activity they love.

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Why Mentoring, and Why Now?

 

Women remain underrepresented across the mountain bike ecosystem – from trail associations and trail crews to guiding, advocacy, tourism, academia, industry, media, and leadership roles. Many find themselves as “the only one” in their organisation or team, which can make otherwise enjoyable work feel more challenging or isolating at times, with limited access to women colleagues, mentors, or support networks. Despite progress, this lack of visibility and connection continues to impact confidence, career development, and long-term retention.

At the same time, a growing community of highly skilled and experienced women is already contributing across all areas of mountain biking. The WiMTB Mentoring Program is designed to bridge that gap, making these role models more visible and accessible and ensuring their knowledge and experience can support others entering or progressing within the sector.

The WiMTB Mentoring Program has been designed to directly address these challenges. Inspired by the successful efforts of the Uplift Women’s Industry Program, WiMTB will match mentees with experienced mentors who can provide:

  • One-on-one guidance
  • Professional insights
  • Career and leadership support
  • Confidence-building and skills development

By creating structured opportunities for knowledge sharing, guidance, and connection, this program aims to strengthen womens contributions, resilience, and visibility across mountain biking.

Program Focus Areas for Year One

 

The program launches with two dedicated mentorship tracks, reflecting areas of particular need and opportunity within the sector in Europe:

  • Trail Building & Advocacy: supporting women+ pursuing or developing careers in trail design, construction, crew leadership, and advocacy.
  • Guiding & Coaching: connecting women+ in guiding and coaching roles with experienced mentors to build skills, confidence, and professional networks.

Additional tracks will be developed over time based on community needs and feedback.

MEET THE MENTORS

For this first edition of the WiMTB mentoring program, our mentors are coming from different countries across Europe, with a range of expertise and languages available for mentoring.

Guiding and Coaching Mentors

Katherine Goodey – Founder of RideHigh MTB. Wales, UK. Language: English.

Short bio:

Kath’s expertise centres on coaching women riders and guiding them through natural trail environments with confidence. She combines her background in outdoor education with experience in racing and long-distance mountain bike journeys. Alongside coaching, she is deeply involved in advocacy and trail access, as well as promoting inclusive and community-driven trail building.

Eveline Elsinga – Founder & Impact Lead, Dutch Girls On Wheels. Netherlands. Languages: Dutch, English.

Short bio:

Eveline specialises in building inclusive mountain biking communities and developing sustainable pathways for women and new riders to enter and stay in the sport. She combines entrepreneurship with social impact, focusing on creating structures, networks, and programmes that work in practice. Her approach is grounded in both real-world experience and academic insight, helping others build meaningful, lasting initiatives.

Aisling Cullen – Coach at TrailBikeBody MTB Coaching. Ireland. Language: English.

Short bio:

Aisling focuses on coaching mountain bikers of all levels, with a strong emphasis on confidence-building and rider development. Through her work with TrailBikeBody, she combines technical skills coaching with a supportive, rider-centred approach. She also brings experience in running a coaching business, helping others navigate both coaching and entrepreneurship.

Trail Building and Advocacy

Cathy Naveaux – BikeSolutions and independent. France. Languages: French, English.

Short bio:

Cathy specialises in trail building and advocacy, with a strong focus on turning grassroots passion into structured, community-driven action. She works at the intersection of trail development, volunteer engagement, and sustainable practices. Her expertise also includes promoting inclusive participation and strengthening the link between local communities and mountain biking infrastructure.

Alison Campbell – Owner of Campbell Coaching and Trail Logic. Wales, UK. Language: English.

Short bio:

Ally specialises in technical coaching, trail building, and training within both volunteer and professional environments. With decades of riding and trail work experience, she blends practical trail knowledge with a calm, confidence-building coaching style. Her expertise also extends to developing trail crews and supporting skill growth in trail construction and maintenance.

Sonja Schreiter – Advocacy & Infrastructure Officer at DIMB, the German Initiative for Mountain Biking. Germany. Language: German preferred (also English).

Short bio:

Sonja’s expertise lies in advocacy, trail access, and infrastructure development within mountain biking at local to federal levels. She works closely with clubs, communities, and policymakers to improve trailbuilding practices and secure access across Germany. Her work also emphasises diversity and inclusion, supporting more women+ to take active roles in advocacy and leadership.

How to Apply?

 

Applications will open in early 2027 to join the next round of the mentoring program. Please feel free to fill in the form below with you details, and we will be in touch with more news soon.

Expressions of interest 2027

Get involved

We invite trail associations, clubs, trail crews, industry partners, brands, media, community groups, and influencers to support this program and share it with potential mentees – and help us build a stronger, more inclusive mountain biking future.

Connect. Support. Advance women in mountain biking.

Want to make contact? Feel free to reach out to WIMTB co-ordinator Loren at loren.rowney@imba-europe.com