Cycling New Zealand today announced the riders selected for the new Schick Civil BMX National Performance Hub to be based in Cambridge.
It marks the fifth of a planned seven Cycling Performance Hubs to form a network around the country to help sustain the future success of high performance cycling in New Zealand by increasing both the quality and quantity of young riders feeding into the elite tier of the sport.
It follows regional cycling performance hubs in Waikato-Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Otago-Southland along with a national hub for Mountain Bike in Rotorua. Cycling New Zealand is working towards two further regional road and track cycling hubs and has secured regional sponsors as well as national sponsor Subway to establish the programme.
The BMX National Performance Hub has been realised with the support from Schick Civil Construction, who have a long history in supporting sporting endeavours in New Zealand.
“Investing in development and performance pathways is a key to securing top talent and continuing to grow New Zealand’s performance outcomes on the world stage,” said Cycling New Zealand CEO, Andrew Matheson.
“We believe these Performance Hubs will be the start of something big and to this degree we are indebted to both Subway and Schick Civil Construction for their support in making this project a reality.”
Pat Peoples, Managing Director, Schick Civil Construction said: “We are proud to have the chance to help cultivate future stars of Cycling New Zealand, and we are excited to support our BMX talent. We look forward to watching the development of these young people in New Zealand.”
Marissa Brennan, Brand Marketing Manager said: “The philosophy and intent of the Performance Hubs has great synergy with Subway’s core brand values of promoting healthy, active living and it’s great to think that we’re helping make a real difference in the lives of so many talented young riders.
“We’ve been a proud sponsor of Cycling New Zealand’s Performance Hubs for the past two years and are thrilled to have the National BMX Performance Hub up and running, which will provide opportunities for Hub riders and young cyclists across New Zealand.”
Former BMX international Matt Cameron is the head coach of the BMX National Performance Hub and will operate from Cycling New Zealand’s base in Cambridge.
Cameron, a former national champion, has a significant background in BMX international competition around the globe, representing New Zealand at UCI World Championships and World Cup Supercross.
“It will be awesome to be able to work with young BMXers to develop future talent. Now this National Hub is up and running, we look forward to seeing if we can transition more riders able to foot it with the best in the world.”
Cycling New Zealand’s Mountain Bike Performance Hub has made real advances in its first two years, with a Hub rider accounting for nearly a quarter of the ranking points that has seen New Zealand jump from 20th to sixth on the nation world rankings for cross-country last year.
“It shows that the Hubs can make a difference and I would like to see the same effect from our BMX Hub riders in the future,” said Cameron
The Schick Civil BMX National Performance Hub team will stage a national training camp in Cambridge this weekend before some riders embark to the UCI BMX World Championships in Azerbaijan 5-9 June.
The Schick Civil BMX National Performance Hub team is (with clubs in brackets):
Rico Bearman (North Harbour),
Cailen Calkin (Hamilton),
Mason Colman-Savage (Hawkes Bay),
Rico D’Anvers (Cambridge),
Luey Cotton (Kapiti),
Bennett Greenough (Cambridge),
Ella Hansen (North Canterbury),
Mason James (Te Awamutu),
Ryan Jordan (Hamilton),
Charlie Lester-Rosson (Cambridge),
Cooper Merito (Te Awamutu),
Zach Paterson (Rotorua),
Jono Sargison (Taupo),
Jessie Smith (Hamilton),
Tasman Wakelin (Cambridge).
