Interested in Joining the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club’s 2Wheel Academy?
All prospective riders need to read through the information contained here, understand the outline and expectations for the season and be prepared to commit to the training sessions on a regular basis prior to lodging an expression of interest.
The Expression of Interest form, along with attendance at the ‘2WA Try Out Day’ will form your application should you wish to be considered. We only have a limited number of places available each year and may not be in a position to accept all applications.
Applications will be assessed on a rider’s; coachability, availability to commit, current skill level and fitness.
If you had further queries regarding the Bendigo MTB’s 2Wheel Academy please contact Jo Wall: 2wheelacademy@bendigomtb.com.au
2024/25 Season Key Start Up Dates
| Date/Time | Event/Action |
|---|---|
| Saturday 31st of August 2024 | Final date for expressions of Interest to be received for ALL RIDERS (This includes both returning and new riders) |
| Sunday 15th of September 2024 – 9am-11am | 2WA Try Out Day. ALL returning and new riders required to attend where possible. |
| Sunday 29th September | Placement offers emailed out to successful applicants by this date. |
| Sunday 6th of October 2024 9am-11am | First 2WA Coaching Skills Session, Spring Gully |
| Friday 1st of November 2024 | Final date for: Payment of season fees ($380) to be received. Kit orders to be received. |
2WA Mission Statement
The Bendigo Mountain Bike Club’s 2Wheel Academy (2WA) is a junior mountain bike program that aims to provide a structured program for riders aged 10-17yrs who are keen to make mountain biking their main sport. The academy provides a pathway for riders who are looking to improve their skills, fitness and race craft within cross country and gravity disciplines.
2WA Background
The 2Wheel Academy started up back in 2015 by a very passionate Dave Richardson and, still current, Stu MacGregor. The academy has always been a Bendigo Mountain Bike Club initiative with full support and a strong backing contributing to much of its success to date.
In 2018 Jo Wall of Trailhead Coaching and current Vice President of the club, came on board as Head Coach. At this time the program became heavily reinforced with skills-based teaching provided by globally accredited PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association) coaches. Jo has set up a coach mentor program for our 2WA graduates who show an interest in coaching. The Bendigo Mountain Bike Club and 2WA continues to invest in this program by subsidising instructor training fees each year for select applicants.
The BMBC have recognised the importance of having qualified and experienced coaches to provide structured skills sessions, not only to our riders but also our general community through club social rides and skills sessions. Each year the club invests in suitable members to complete the Level 1 PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Association) instructors Course. The PMBIA course is the global standard for MTB Skills Instruction.
The Bendigo 2WA has provided a much needed community service to Regional Victoria. Riders attend from as far away as Sunbury, Boort, Woodend, Taradale, Echuca, Castlemaine and of course Bendigo. In fact, the BMBC have a memorandum of understanding with Bendigo South East College to deliver mountain biking co-curricular as part of the Athlete Development Program (ADP).Ages are based on each rider’s ability and experience, please discuss rider suitability with Jo after selection is made into the 2WA.
In more recent years we have collaborated with the Castlemaine Rocky Riders. Currently one third of our rider intake is made up of riders from the Castlemaine Rocky Riders and to help service this we have accredited coaches from the Rocky Riders help facilitate our weekly coaching sessions.
Season Structure
The 2WA season will run from October through to March (Dates TBC each season, it will generally shadow the club’s Summer Series dates and ideally culminate close to the date for the National Championships each year.)
The academy takes a mid-season break in December and most of January for school holidays. Our highlight of the season is always our annual 3-day training camp in Bright each January.
Our weekly training sessions are held on Sundays from 9am-11am. During the summer months earlier starts may be put in place on account of the hot weather.
Our Sunday sessions alternate between structured skills coaching sessions and ‘Destination Rides’. The skills sessions will always take place at Spring Gully, Bendigo and the destination rides visit various locations around central Victoria; Harcourt, Castlemaine, Redesdale, etc. This model allows us to deliver carefully planned skills-based learning opportunities and our destination rides expose our riders to different terrain types and trail networks providing ample opportunities to apply the skills learnt.
Throughout the season we also support attendance at various races. On these weekends a regular training session may not be scheduled but in place we provide support and guidance at the race in the form of a coach or senior rider/s. A team tent is sometimes set up for riders to meet and gather and pending availability, ride leaders take groups out for sighting laps and course practice.
Attendance and Sign on Expectations
You will be required to commit to attending the scheduled training sessions every Sunday unless you are racing a scheduled MTB event or have other unavoidable commitments. We understand that everyone gets busy and has clashes at times, but the expectation is that you will attend each week in order to secure your place in the academy. We will plan as much of the training as we can to avoid races that would be suitable for our riders to attend.
Each Sunday coaching session is required to be carefully planned. We ensure that we are keeping the quality of our coaching high, safely managing the associated risks and providing experiences that challenge all riders appropriately at their level. This is done by adhering to our coaching ratio of 1 coach per 6 riders max. A lot of thought, consideration and organisation goes into determining our coaching groups each week and also confirming our available coaching staff.
In order for us to maintain the quality of our program it is essential that we have a clear indication of attendance leading into each Sunday. All of our Sunday sessions will be loaded up as events on the 2WA Facebook Page all relevant information will be included in the description; time, location skills focus etc.
It is the expectation that riders/families will mark their attendance as ‘Going’ or ‘Not Going’ by Thursday evening 8pm each week.
Season Fees and Inclusions
To continue to provide accredited coaches at all our sessions and to provide a sustainable model for the 2WA, a season registration fee will apply. The 2WA executive work hard to ensure that the season fee is as low as possible, recognising the many costs associated with the sport.
The season fee is determined from year to year, being nominally $20per session for approximately 19 sessions. This does not include the cost of required uniforms and licence fees. The fee for the 2024/25 season will be $380.
Components of the Bright training camp are heavily subsidised with 2WA funds. In previous years we have covered the cost of all coaching and also a 1-day shuttle pass for all riders. A separate camp fee will apply to cover the cost of accommodation and food.
All 2WA riders will receive free entry to the BMBC 2024/25 Summer Series (Valued at $90) and we expect all our riders to attend these races regardless of their preferred discipline.
Uniforms
All riders are expected to wear the 2WA kit for all training sessions, racing and the Bright camp. The cost of the kit will be around $80-140 each for the 2WA uniform depending on preferred items.
(All riders must purchase a jersey either race or enduro at a minimum).
Casual kit is also available for ordering – hoodies, T-shirts and caps. These items are optional.
Club and AusCycling Membership
All 2WA riders will be required to hold a current AusCycling ‘Race Off Road’ licence, linked to either the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club or Castlemaine Rocky Riders. https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/race-off-road
Required Equipment
Riders must have a mountain bike that is suitable for the cross-country terrain found in central Victoria. This could be either a cross country bike – hardtail or dual suspension, or a dual suspension trail bike. Riders must also have a helmet that is in good condition and complies with Australian Standards. There is an expectation that all riders carry their own Spares; tube, tyre levers, pump/Co2 cannister, multitool, spare quick link etc. We also expect riders to attend each training session on a clean and well serviced bike.
Further Coaching/Training Opportunities:
1. Squad Training
Separate to 2WA, Trailhead Coaching will offer a squad training session during terms 1 and 4. This squad is for riders 14+years* who are keen to take their riding to the next level. Riders will commonly have a focus on competing at state and national level races in either Gravity Enduro or Cross Country. As these sessions are facilitated by Trailhead coaching there is a separate registration fee for riders wanting to participate.
This Squad session will complement the Sunday coaching sessions and will focus on providing a competitive but supportive and fun atmosphere, intermediate and advanced skills development, race craft and preparation for target events.
Ages are based on each rider’s ability and experience, please discuss rider suitability with Jo after selection is made into the 2WA.
2. Personal Training Plans
If this is an area of interest to your rider, get in touch with Jo from Trailhead coaching and she will be able to make some good recommendations to coaches available to take on new riders.
