Shepparton plays host to the 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships, which officially kicked off Wednesday morning at the city’s BMX track.
More than 1100 riders from across the country, representing 109 clubs from each state and territory, will compete for a swag of national titles over the course of the four-day event.
City of Greater Shepparton City Mayor Shane Sali was joined by Kelly and Shepparton BMX icon Leigh Egan as he launched the national championships.
Sali said the return of the National Championships, which Shepparton hosted in 2010, 2014 and 2019, would draw in more than “4000 visitors” to the region and “offer a $6 million injection” into the local economy.
For Kelly, her focus is on the racing and representing the Goulburn Valley.
The teenager said she was grateful that her home club was able to host one of Australia’s biggest BMX events.
“It’s amazing to race here (at my home track) ... I’m still able to go to school and then come race, but other riders have come from Queensland and Northern Territory, so I’m really lucky in that aspect,” Kelly, 16, said.
“Seeing the track come together and seeing how many people are here, we’re a small club in members, so it’s a huge thing. Just to have this many people here, I’ve never seen this amount of people for a while at least, so it’s amazing.”
Kelly, who will race in the 16 Girls category this week, revealed she was introduced to the world of BMX racing by her dad, Stewart, and spoke of her passion for the sport.
“I’ve been on and off since I was a Sprocket, so since the age of four or five,” she said.
“I watched my dad race and I think he just wanted me to get into the sport because he loved it so much. It’s honestly a great sport; you can jump in and out when you please. I did it for a few years, then stopped, came back and then stopped and now I’m back, so it’s a great sport like that I think.
“I love that every track you go to it’s different and it’s a great way to meet people.”
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