Wheels turning at BMX Club

IF you’ve been itching for a new thrilling sport to try, why not check out the Bendigo BMX Club.

Training three nights a week with a race day every second Sunday, the club supports riders new and experienced, of all ages.

Secretary Tegan Djuric said the club, known as the Dragons, has grown considerably.

“We’ve actually tripled in the last 18 months, we’re definitely getting bigger and bigger,” she said. “I think people are looking outside the square at BMX.

“A lot of kids do soccer and footy, netball and swimming; but we’ve noticed that BMX is starting to get more notice, especially with the Olympics this year.

“We had a couple of Aussies in the Olympics, in the freestyle event as well, it’s definitely becoming a bigger sport.”

There are currently 116 riders registered at the Dragons, supported by 13 volunteers.

Ms Djuric said Tuesday night is the more social night, with sessions including gate training for all ages and the mini wheelers program for two to five year olds.

Wednesday nights see Bacchus Marsh professional BMX rider Damon Hocking host private coaching, and Thursday is a beginners’ night for riders finding their feet.

Excitement is brewing at the club, as it prepares for a bumper year next year hosting several statewide events.

“We have a double-header state series in March, each day we’ll probably get about 500 riders and of course we’ll get all the families and spectators as well,” Ms Djuric said.

“Then in October we’re hosting the actual state championships; that’s a three-day event and we could get up to 800 riders for that. We’re pretty excited we’ve been given the opportunity to host such big events.”

But, while participation in the sport is growing, Ms Djuric fears the facility at Eaglehawk is being left behind.

“We haven’t had a lot of support in the past, it has been difficult to get our name out there and get facilities upgraded, we’re pretty old school still compared to other tracks in the state,” she said.

Ms Djuric said the push for support from the City of Greater Bendigo has seen recent success, receiving a grant of $20,000 in the City’s latest round of large grants.

“Hopefully we can update our facilities and make it look pretty respectable compared to Shepparton and Ballarat, because their facilities are pretty outstanding compared to what we have,” she said.

“We’re pretty excited we could potentially get up there by the end of next year hopefully.”