Coaches power through to next level with expert training
Peter Lyon under the watchful eye of Nathan Schmiedte running a coaching clinic
Last weekend three members of the Karratha BMX Club undertook training to develop their coaching skills, which will see them qualified to the next level of BMX coaching.
Nathan Schmiedte, a Perth-based elite BMX coach, ran a training course for local BMX coaches in Karratha over the weekend, funded by Department of Sport and Recreation.
Smitty took to the track on Friday night to test his skills on the local track and to see what level the local riders were at.
On Saturday morning the three Karratha BMX Club members were back in the classroom for a day of theory and discussions on BMX coaching.
With the small group, the day was an excellent opportunity for local coaches Peter Lyon, Rodney Gethin and Nick Muller to gain as much as possible from a state-level coach.
After a day in the classroom, Saturday night saw the coaches head to the track for a barbecue and open session for club members to show off their skills and style it up without the pressure of a race.
The relaxed atmosphere at the club saw about 25 riders of different ages and skills come down for a ride, while parents had a chance to talk to Smitty and watch the action on the track.
On Sunday morning the classroom moved outside for practical assessment.
Coaches had to carry out a risk assessment, run through a bike set up and sizing exercise and run a coaching session for a group of club members.
Rod, Peter and Nick now have to complete their workbooks and gain enough hours of coaching to become accredited as level one coaches after successfully completing the weekend’s training.
The time and commitment shown by the volunteer coaches at the BMX club has seen an improvement in the skills of local riders over the last couple of years.
The Karratha BMX Club is one of only a few clubs in Western Australia to provide club-based training and riders are encouraged to come along each week to a training session.
These sessions are well supported with approximately 80 riders attending each week.
With elite rider and coach Daniel Sprague returning to Karratha in a couple of weeks time to conduct further coaching clinics, and the support and guidance of local coaches, the Karratha riders are going to be well prepared for round three of the NW Championships and the Super Series to be held in Karratha later this year.
The Karratha BMX Club welcomes everyone to come down to the track on a Friday night from 7.00 pm to watch the fast and furious action of BMX racing and enjoy a feed from the canteen.
The Karratha BMX Club is located on Rosemary Road behind the caravan park.
