A large contingent of passionate junior BMX riders from the Goulburn Valley competed at the Victorian state titles in Wyndham — an outer south-western suburb of Melbourne — from September 19-22.
Shepparton BMX Club secretary Karen Kelly said the club had grown exponentially in 2024.
“It was fantastic and we probably had our biggest group of riders in lots of years riding at state titles,” Kelly said.
“Just generally, to have a real club-feel at the event for the children and families was really good.
“Since nationals last year we have tripled our membership, which is fantastic.
“To have so many come in and race at state titles that haven’t before, it was fantastic.
“What is even more exciting is we have had some of the dads — who used to race years ago — come back to racing to support the kids.
“They used to race years ago and now they are coming back and joining in and racing state titles as well.”
Shepparton had 23 entries in the titles.
Across October 7-13 the national championships will be held in Perth and the club will have five representatives at the event.
Young gun Layla Kelly will be the only Shepparton native, but Jace Ciccarello, Cooper Bromley, Austin McNair and Wade Worth are also members of the club that will compete at the championships.
In April 2024, it was announced the club would receive funding from the Victorian Government.
Kelly said she couldn’t wait to see how the funding could help grow the club in the future.
“We are thrilled with the funding for the new pavilion,” she said.
“It will mean we have clubrooms, some accessibility to toilets and just a space for our members to be a club.
“Those are our main improvements, but we also have some track work improvements including an 8m start hill, which will be really great as well.”
The BMX season effectively runs all year, but Kelly said the September-October period was effectively the culmination of the riders’ efforts.
Kelly said the was open to people of all ages and skill levels signing up.
“We are such a friendly, welcoming group of riders,” she said.
“We are keen for any ability or age just reach out to the club on our socials and then we can get in touch; there is the option to do a four-week free trial licence.
“It gives people the option to come down and try it out for four weeks at no cost — we have club bikes and helmets they can borrow.
“Just give it a go and you can gradually work up to starting from the top of the hill or if they are confident riders they can go straight from the start hill, depends on your ability, but we are definitely open to people of all ages to come and try it out.”
Kelly said with the influx of participants at junior and adult level the club was building a great community.
“We are excited to see the club blossoming at the moment,” she said.
“It is such an exciting time to be a part of the club; a lot of these kids didn’t know each other 12 months ago and now they have formed great friendships.
“The parents as well, getting involved — there are lots of mums here that I didn’t know 12 months ago.
“It is definitely a family club.”
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