BMX Ready to Ride

Written on the 1 December 2020 by The Camden Advertiser

Twelve riders from across the south west have been chosen to take part in the prestigious South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) 2020-2021 BMX program. And 11 of them are from Macarthur.

Seven athletes will return for another year while five new athletes have joined the program under the watchful eye of head coach Cara Wilde.

Recently graduated St Helens Park athlete Jye Furner will continue with the Academy, having accepted the position of Apprentice Coach.

Furner is the latest former squad athlete to return in a coaching capacity within the SWSAS BMX program, behind head coach Cara Wilde, who was a member of the inaugural SWSAS BMX program.

"I joined the program about four years ago as an independent athlete, then we formed a team of about eight to ten riders," the 17-year-old said.
"I am looking forward to coming back in a mentor role.

"It's pretty cool because I will get to teach and learn, I also know most of the riders so it'll be a bit different coaching my friends but it will be good at the same time."

The 2020-2021 South West Sydney Academy of Sport BMX Squad includes Liverpool's Clay Johnson, Camdens Jack Young, Bianca Moubarak, Ethan Moubarak, Kayden Murphy, Jayden Morris, Rory Southwell, Haylee Morris and Isaac Robinson, with Campbelltown's Violet Dutko and Wollondilly's Ireland Gerhard and Mackenzie Hadley rounding out the 12-rider program.

Furner said it was great to see so many local riders on the squad.
"It's great because there are a lot of kids who ride bikes in Macarthur and there is a big group of them in the Macarthur BMX Club," he said.
"It's a really great sport.

"I have been racing for about ten years now and I love it because of all the places I have been and all the people I have met.

"My best advice to people who are just starting out is to have fun - just enjoy being on your bike."
Along with the BMX riders, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport welcomes incoming Assistant Coaches Daniel Morris and Simon Dutkos to the coaching ranks.

Morris is a BMX champion himself and is familiar with the Regional Academy programs having been a past member of the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS).

Dutkos comes into the program as a highly-respected coach within the Macarthur BMX community.

Squad Managers Anne-Marie Moubarak and Fred Furner round out the highly credentialed coach and support staff, both also returning for another year.

Furner said he was looking forward to learning more about coaching BMX squads.

"I am only in my third year of coaching so I am still pretty new," he said.

"I am looking forward to learning new things and growing as a coach."

The BMX squad is already looking forward to a solid 2021 program, and the use of not only the new world-class, Camden-based BMX track, but a chance to ride a new Wollondilly-based BMX track in the not too distant future.

The squad will attend an Academy Induction event in early December before commencing their on-track skills and sports education program throughout the next year.

This story Macarthur riders chosen to take part in prestigious BMX program first appeared on Wollondilly Advertiser.