Eureka Cycling supports young rider

IESHA Humber has received Eureka Cycling’s latest Junior Female Cyclist Support Grant, three years into her racing career.

Turning 16 in November, Humber is a member of Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club, and has been awarded $500 as a result of her ability and performance.

With funds directed towards covering equipment, training, parts and competition costs, Humber was “happy” for the assistance.

“We’re going to Tasmania at the end of the year, so a bit of it will go towards that,” she said. “It’s a Christmas carnival. Five days of non-stop racing on the velodrome. It’s scratch races, handicaps, laps of racing.”

Humber was especially grateful to her dad, grandma and coach, Damien Keirl for their ongoing support.

Keirl said she’s “come a long way.

“She’s still at an age where she’s growing and learning new things, so this year we’ll see a lot more of her as she’ll be in the future,” he said. “She’s put in a lot of hard work this year. We’ve introduced her to gym work, so that’s been a real positive.”

Alaya Humber is a previous grant recipient, putting a lot of it towards travel and fuel, and using it as an opportunity to be a role model for girls in sport.

“There aren’t a lot of organisations that support female cycling like this. It’s good to be able to support female riders,” she said.