BMX Australia (BMXA) tonight became the second National Sporting Organisation (NSO) to endorse the formation of AusCycling, following the positive vote of Mountain Bike Australia’s members late last year.

At BMXA’s Special General Meeting, six BMXA affiliates, being the State governing bodies in NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory, all formally endorsed the AusCycling proposal.

That means the minimum requirement of support from at least two NSOs for AusCycling to proceed to implementation has been achieved.

Cycling Australia’s members to vote on whether to join AusCycling at a SGM scheduled for March 27.

The initial AusCycling Board, which comprises equal representation from each of the three cycling disciplines of BMX, mountain bike and road & track, along with three independent members, has been selected with BMXA represented by chairman Darren Alomes, vice president Dale Percy and director of finance Katrina Harnwell.

A statement from the AusCycling Steering Committee will be available tomorrow.

AusCycling Statement

The AusCycling Steering Committee today welcomed the announcement from BMX Australia that its members formally endorsed the AusCycling proposal at a Special General Meeting (SGM) held tonight.

BMX Australia becomes the second of cycling’s three National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to support the formation of AusCycling following the positive vote of Mountain Bike Australia’s members late last year. That means the minimum requirement of support from at least two NSOs for AusCycling to proceed to implementation has been achieved,

Cycling Australia’s members will vote on whether to join AusCycling at an SGM scheduled for March 27.

‘There is no doubt the AusCycling model has attracted a broad range of strongly held views from those both supportive and opposed to its formation,’ an AusCycling Steering Committee representative said.

‘This is a normal and healthy part of any proposal for structural change and we thank everyone who has engaged constructively. The feedback received to date has already resulted in improvements to the AusCycling proposal, most notably the introduction of State Advisory Councils.

‘In all of the discussion, the need for change in the way cycling is structured and run across in this country to better support and advocate for all riders has been a strong and consistent theme.

‘With that in mind, we hope Cycling Australia’s members can agree on a path to join their BMX and Mountain Bike counterparts and create a truly unified and effective national body.’

AusCycling initial Transition Board: Update

Michael Smith, a prominent West Australian company director and one of Australia’s leading authorities on corporate strategy, has been named as the final appointee to the initial transition Board of AusCycling.

Mr Smith is the current Chair of 7-Eleven Stores PL, Starbucks Australia, the Lionel Sadliers Group and Pioneer Credit. He has previously chaired the West Coast Eagles, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Perth International Arts Festival.

Mr Smith is also the Principal of boutique strategic development consulting firm, Black House. Previously, he founded The Marketing Centre which provided strategic advice to many of Australia’s most iconic brands for more than three decades.

‘We are pleased to have attracted someone of Michael’s calibre and extensive board experience across high-profile business, arts and sporting organisations to the initial AusCycling Board,’ said an AusCycling Steering Committee representative.

‘Significantly, Michael’s appointment as an independent director means the initial AusCycling Board will include a representative from Western Australia.’

Mr Smith said: ‘I am delighted to join the initial AusCycling Board, which will have the important role of helping cycling reach its full potential as Australia’s largest participation and most successful sport. As a Western Australian Board member, I will ensure the interests of cycling clubs and members in my home state are heard.’

Mr Smith’s appointment follows the earlier announcement of 11 members of the initial AusCycling Board, which comprises equal representation from each of the three cycling disciplines of BMX, mountain bike and road & track, along with three independent members.

The full list of appointees to the initial AusCycling Board follows:

Lee Brentzell, Darren Alomes and Duncan Murray, Chairs of Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), BMX Australia (BMXA) and Cycling Australia (CA) respectively

The Hon Ruth McColl AO SC, former Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal (Independent)

Brian Gallagher, Chief Sales Officer, Southern Cross Austereo (Independent)

Aaron Liang, Cycling Queensland president (CA)

Anne Gripper, Executive Director at the NSW Office of Sport (CA)

Gemma Kernich, President, Port Adelaide Cycling Club (MTBA)

Jenni McLeod, Founder of the Shredding Betties mountain bike club (MTBA)

Dale Percy, BMX Australia vice president (BMXA)

Katrina Harnwell, BMX Australia Director of Finance (BMXA)

Michael Smith, Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors (Independent)

A further Board position has been reserved for the Chair of the National Advisory Council, which will represent the states and territories. That role will be filled after AusCycling commences operation.

The initial Board of AusCycling will oversee the integration of the administration, business systems and processes of all participating cycling disciplines under the unified body to enhance the services available to all clubs. It will also select AusCycling’s first Chief Executive.

Once the transition period is complete and AusCycling is fully operational, all member Clubs will participate in electing new Board members – placing the ownership of AusCycling in the hands of the member Clubs.

Advisory Councils will be formed in each state with three representatives from each participating discipline. Each Advisory Council will oversee officiating, coaching and management in their state and territories. The Chair of each state and territory Advisory Council will sit on the National Advisory Council.

AusCycling will also have a committee structure to provide advice to the Board and management. Each committee will feature a representative of each of the disciplines to ensure ongoing input from right across the cycling spectrum.

For further information visit www.auscycling.com.au