AROUND this time last year, Moree Motorcycle Club was struggling to get half-a-dozen kids interested in slipping on a helmet and protective riding gear and learning the Motocross craft at Boolooroo Raceway.

As a result, earlier this year a new program was devised by club president Matt Anderson, his wife Renee and their son Max – and with the help of quite a few volunteers, the numbers grew.

Such is the interest, more than 50 children aged four through to seven have participated, with clubman Bryce Loder saying the influx of kids wanting to learn has breathed new life into the club.

Loder said the recruitment program introduced earlier this year has made a huge difference, with more 50 young riders enjoying non-competitive action at the club’s Christmas party and presentation afternoon on Sunday.

“They’re all beginners. Some of them have been around the club for 12 or 18 months, but there are a lot of newbies as well,” Loder said.

“What has really brought it on is the coaching sessions we’ve been having. We’ll start those again in the new year – once a week – when it cools down a little bit.

“We do them after school, with Matty and Max Anderson generally running the program. We also get Dee Wilson, from Dee’s Moto Academy, meaning the kids can come out and do a few sessions with a trained coach – learn the basics and fundamentals,” he said.

Loder said there were categories for age groups and mini-bike engine sizes.

“With the 50ccs, beginners are aged from four to seven,” Loder said.

“The next level, which is still 50cc, is for the more experienced kids who can handle a few jumps and competition.

“We like to group the kids to their abilities. This keeps it safer, and doesn’t baulk the little kids who are just starting out.

“We let the faster guys go out in their own class, and it’s been really good. Now, we’re getting about 20 to 30 mini-bike riders each round, whereas a couple of years ago we’d barely get one or two,” Loder said.

On Saturday, the club catered for near-record numbers in the younger age groups.

“In the 50ccs alone, there would’ve been nearly 50 kids,” Loder said.

“After that, they go into the 65cc class for more experienced riders on slightly bigger bikes – the kids in that age division are a little more serious.

“But it’s not all about racing. We get a lot of kids at the coaching sessions who are learning the fundamental basics and learning to ride safely. It’s not necessarily about racing and winning, and it’s a good social thing for the kids as well – good networking,” Loder smiled.

Club president Matt Anderson said the recruitment program was bringing new faces to Boolooroo Raceway, about five kilometres north of Moree on the Newell Highway.

“On our local club days, we’ll get 60 to 70 riders – Moree riders – and up to 50 or 60 kids,” Anderson said.

“A lot of the older riders will compete in two classes, sometimes three, and with their families we get at least a couple of hundred people on race-days.

“We encourage anyone who’s never been here, and anyone interested in motorbikes who just want to enjoy an afternoon out, to come along and have a look,” he said.

“We don’t charge for spectators, and if anyone has any questions about getting involved, we’ll certainly point them in the right direction – everyone here is very supportive, and we want to see as many people on bikes as possible.

“People who don’t have bikes needn’t feel they can’t come and watch. We’ve got a great facility and we want everyone in Moree to come out and enjoy our local motorbike racing,” Anderson said.

Parents seeking more information about the junior recruitment program can jump on any of Moree Motorcycle Club’s social media platforms – the club has Instagram and Facebook pages – and send enquiries through Messenger.

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