BMX Australia is pleased to announce the next 7 athletes who have been selected into the BMX Australia Development Academy. The academy, which was first announced in December 2013, was introduced to provide riders (aged 14 years through to Elite for men and women), and coaches with a clear pathway and is linked directly with the BMX Australia High Performance Program providing improved continuity and communication.

The selected riders are:

Junior Elite

• Shane Rosa – South Australia
• Kai Sakakibara – New South Wales
• Brandon Te Hiko – Victoria

Elite

• Leanna Curtis – New South Wales
• Jacinta Pink – Queensland
• Blake Moore – New South Wales
• Dirk Winter – Queensland

These athletes, who were selected prior to the National Championships will be monitored and supported by newly appointed Development Academy coach Luke Madill in the lead up to the World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The selected riders join an already established group of 13 athletes along with coach Sharon Willoughby.

Underpinning BMX Australia’s Development Academy is the Shadow Squad which is an innovative and inclusive new concept. The Shadow Squad will assist selected Junior Elite Women who have been identified as having the potential to gain future selection to the BMX Australia Development Academy and will involve invitation to a series of training sessions focusing on confidence in jumping and starting on a Supercross hill.

Shadow Squad

• Kirra Allan – Queensland
• Abbie Blackburn – Queensland
• Ashleigh Gunn – Queensland
• Taylah Maurice – Northern Territory
• Jade Parker – Queensland
• Rachelle Smith – Western Australia
• Gemma-Lee Thomas – New South Wales
• Esther Woodward – Victoria

Selections for the 2014/15 BMX Australia Development Academy, which will include results from the 2014 National Championships and International results, will commence following the 2014 World Championships and be announced in September 2014.