Lilydale BMX Club wants girls and women to try racing for free

Lilydale BMX Club is encouraging Yarra Ranges girls and women to head to the track and try BMX racing for free this May.

Council has provided the club with funding through its Grants for Community program to help increase the number of female riders participating in BMX racing. The sports pathway project  starts with the RideIn2BMX Come and Try Day for groups on Saturday 4 May and is open to everyone.

President Ian Henderson said the club wanted all schools, youth and community groups to know about the opportunity to try this fun and challenging sport.

“We are inviting females of all ages to come along and try BMX racing and hope that one or two of the sessions will be dedicated to female riders,” he said.

“Those who are more serious about pursuing it can sign up to undergo the license process and six group coaching sessions.”

Following the event, the club plans to offer a series of free group coaching sessions with riders’ first mandatory four month license fully paid.

“It’s a little known fact that you need a BMX license to train and compete in the sport, and only about 1,500 Victorians have their license,” he said.

“Most people think of BMX as the trick riding that you see in skate parks. However, BMX racing is all about negotiating dirt racetracks in a sprint with other riders. It’s fast-paced, energetic and fun.”

Caption: Pro riders Phoebe and Julie, with Carly, Tarni, Zara, Ava.

Mr Henderson said the club was very family focused and it was still quite common to see parents and their children riding at the same events. Being a relatively small sport in Victoria, there is a lot of collaboration and support between clubs, and riders often make life-long friendships through the sport, he said.

“We have previously hosted coaching sessions aimed bringing in at non-riding female participants such as volunteers, mums and sisters to ride but we want to take this idea further and offer a development pathway program that builds skills and confidence among girls and women who are new to BMX,” Mr Henderson said.

“We’re conscious of the fact many women from early on face different expectations and challenges based on social conditioning and subtle biases and may not initially consider BMX as a sport.”

Ava, said she was her "happiest when I'm on my bike".

Ava and Zara's mum Christie said her children had learnt resilience as a result of taking up the sport. 

"BMX teaches and encourages kids to get back on their bike when they fall off, to challenge themselves to ride when scared and face their fears," she said.

"Our youngest Zara just graduated from mini wheeler (peddaless bike) to a bmx bike and is starting to ride the track like her big brother and sister.

"They race both individually and as part of a club, and learn to support and encourage their club mates."

Carly who rides, as well as her two young sons, said it was a great sport for the whole family and a great way to get healthy. 

"It brings a huge smile to both my face and the boys when I'm out there with them or playing around racing on the track," Carly said.

The club is seeking increased memberships for female riders of all ages and to see reoccurring memberships of active riders and more women competing at club, state and national competitions.

The club also received $80,000 from Council’s Capital Works program last year, to cover the high banked turns (berms) in asphalt making the track more durable while easing the maintenance burden on volunteers.

The 2020 Grants for Community round for community development, events, arts and heritage projects opens 1 June 2019. For more information visit: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/grants

For club information visit,

To enquire with the club, please phone 8609 9269

To register, visit: lilydalebmx.club/event/ride-in-2-bmx/

Follow the club on Facebook: facebook.com/lilydale.bmx/