When regional clubs invest in their people, they create more opportunities for riders to discover, learn, and stay involved in cycling.
Last month, eight aspiring BMX instructors from across regional Victoria came together in Ballarat for an important step in building the future of grassroots cycling.
The Foundation Instructor BMX Course was the first regionally delivered course under the Collaborative Club Capacity Building Program, a Victorian Government-funded initiative designed to strengthen workforce capability and support the growth and sustainability of regional cycling clubs.
With participants attending from Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club, Portland BMX Club, Geelong BMX Club, and Bendigo BMX Club, the course was a great example of clubs working together to build a stronger regional workforce.
Led by experienced AusCycling course facilitator Corey Sztama from Sunbury BMX Club, participants developed practical coaching skills, session-planning techniques and communication strategies that they can take back to their clubs.
For Corey, the value of this foundational education goes well beyond gaining an accreditation.
“Foundation Instructor BMX education courses open up more opportunities to assist new members to develop skills," he said. "Some clubs haven’t been able to run come and try days easily, so by having grassroots-level instructors and coaches they can run them and then teach those skills after they have signed up.
“It’s a win-win for clubs to be able to gain and retain newer members and provide a structured environment going forwards.”
Creating a pathway for the next generation
The participants brought a range of experiences and motivations to the course, demonstrating that there is no single pathway into coaching.
Among them was local Year 12 student Curtis, who completed the course to support his club’s junior programs while complementing his physiotherapy studies at university.
For James, however, the opportunity was about giving back to his BMX club and sharing his passion with the next generation of riders.
Meanwhile, participants from Portland Piranhas BMX travelled to Ballarat to prepare for new community programs and club training ahead of their track’s planned reopening in spring.
Their stories highlight an important message: you don’t need to be an elite rider or an experienced coach to make a difference at your club.
For many club members, the idea of becoming a coach or instructor can feel daunting. But the Foundation Course shows you don’t need to have all the answers to make a positive impact.
“It’s all about passing on knowledge and skills to enable awesome outcomes and confidence on a bike. After all, the whole goal is to see more kids on bikes, and I’m just a big kid on a bike!”
That grassroots workforce is essential to the future of regional cycling.
Volunteer instructors and coaches help deliver Come & Try days, junior programs, training sessions and community activities – creating more opportunities for people to get on a bike and be part of their local cycling community.
By bringing education opportunities directly to regional areas, the Collaborative Club Capacity Building Program is helping remove barriers to coach education while encouraging clubs to work together and invest in their people.
Further opportunities are on the horizon through the Foundation Coach Pilot Project, which will continue to explore new and innovative approaches to Foundation-level education and support more people to become involved in coaching.
Want to get involved?
There’s a pathway for you to become involved in coaching and skills instruction.
For more information about coach education opportunities available to regional Victorian clubs through the Collaborative Club Capacity Building Program, contact Melissa Ward at [email protected].
To explore available skills instructor and coach courses, visit Coach and Instructor Courses or contact the AusCycling Education & Workforce Development team at [email protected].