Game-changer for local mountain bike club

WITH close to half of Beechworth Chain Gang members women and girls in the mountain bike club, a $354,100 Federal Government grant under its $200 million Play Our Way program will make the sport more enjoyable for its community. Funds will be used for a purpose-built combined shelter, toilet, and storage area, designed to improve safety, comfort, and accessibility for all Beechworth Mountain Bike Park users. The upgrade is a key step in fostering a vibrant and diverse mountain biking community, ensuring everyone can fully enjoy the park. Club president Lynne Frerichs said toilets had not been available for cyclists for 24 years until last year when the club purchased a Portaloo. Ms Frerichs said among new facilities will be two toilets, storage for club tools as well as for a hired-out bike trailer. An undercover area has been included for parents and to be used for events such as marshalling too. “There's a lot of parents who come and support their kids, but they don't have anywhere to sit or gather,” she said. The president said the club had 260 members with around 85 kids participating weekly in the junior ride program and a teenage program with around 12 young people. “There's a bunch of other teenagers too that are well beyond our coaching programs who take part in racing and events with half the club under the age of 18,” she said. “My hope is having this facility will encourage more girls and women, diverse people and people with a disability to participate more in the sport. “If we can encourage more women and girls specifically to participate, we'll all be better off as a society and be happier and healthier." Ms Frerichs said having nearly half the club as female members was unique. “Hopefully we can continue that trajectory because once they get into it, they love the joy and the feeling of being on a bike," she said. “Now that we've taken barriers away, hopefully more people can enjoy the sport." Ms Frerichs said council had undertaken leg work with costings and geotechnical assessments for State Government funding, but had been unsuccessful. “We took that information and applied to the Play Our Way Program and we were successful,” she said. “It's been a really great combined effort with council.” The Play Our Way program is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity. Victorian Senator Lisa Darmanin congratulated the club on a fantastic achievement in ‘gearing’ up the park for the whole community. "This new facility is a game-changer for the park,” she said. "By providing essential amenities, it will make the space more inviting and practical for women and girls, encouraging more people to get involved and enjoy the sport."

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