One of Australia’s most prolific BMX riders, Luke Madill, has been appointed to the position of Coach of the BMX Australia Development Academy. Madill joins Sharon Willoughby in coaching the newly formed BMX Australia Development Academy.

The BMX Australia Development Academy has been developed to assist athletes and coaches to develop to their full potential and meet the needs of Elite performance by readying athletes through the National Pathway for the BMX Australia High Performance Program. The academy caters for riders aged 14 years through to Elite and provides increased continuity and communication of performance standards within BMX Australia.

In making the announcement, National Coaching Director Ms Anita Wells welcomed Luke to the role saying she was looking forward to working with him as part of the BMX Australia coaching team.

“Luke has experience at every level of our sport both in riding and coaching,” Ms Wells said. “He’s a legend in our sport, very well respected by his peers and is some one who has a lot of passion about developing riders in our sport.

“Luke has the ability of being able to see things through athletes eyes, knowing where they’ve been and where they are going, but to also having a coaching mindset around it all.

“Luke’s passion for the sport speaks for itself, the only active rider to achieve Life Membership, he conducts coaching clinics for all ages and abilities as he continues to give back to the sport.”

Madill is a multiple BMX Australia National Champion who represented Australia at BMX’s Olympic inclusion in the 2008 Beijing games.

“As a racer I’ve been passionate about the sport and have been involved in coaching over the last 10 or more years now,” Madill said.

“The BMX Australia Development Academy is really going to boost the sport; it’s going to give the younger athletes a lot more hope knowing they have the support to get them through to the top with the aim of being a part of the BMX Australia High Performance Program.

“Prior to the academy, athletes would have found it difficult to make the transition from an age group rider into the elite categories. Now, we will be able to provide them with guidance to make the transition by giving them a stepping stone to the High Performance Program rather just being out of it all together.”

As someone who has ridden at every level of competition, Luke understands the pressures placed on the athletes who are trying to achieve their dreams, his role will also be able to relate to the athletes to offer advice.

“I’ve been there and done it at most levels and can give them the guidance they need, and I am looking forward to working in conjunction with the State Coaches and the BMX Australia High Performance coaches in developing our up and coming riders and coaches,” he said.

“I’ll be telling them the things they will experience along the way, hopefully making it easier for them to make that transition. Giving them the guidance to be at the top level and what to prepare for regardless if its just training, travelling or getting ready for the international experience they are about to hopefully achieve themselves.”