#TrainingWheelsToTokyo – Bunbury BMX Club behind triple Olympian Lauren Reynolds

While Lauren Reynolds travels the world racing her BMX Bike and calls the USA home for most of the year, there is a part of Western Australia that will always hold a special place in her heart.

Reynolds joined the Bunbury BMX club at the age of nine and from humble beginnings which saw her use an ice cream lid as a number plate, 21 years later, she has become Australia's first three-time Olympian in BMX.

Bunbury BMX Club is located in one of the major regional centres in Western Australia with a rich history. The club has a strong ethos of promoting mate ship and friendship within the sport, and has a strong social element for its community members.

This club was born 40 years ago when two passionate members built an Aussie arm of the craze sweeping America. Building the track started as an activity expensed from personal accounts but grew after being embraced by local communities and businesses.

The club has been a major hub for regional races and State Series events while hosting National Championships and multiple State Championships, including the 2020 edition.

Through its vision statement, the club envisages promoting BMX as a platform for community engagement for the region while prioritizing rider development through club and track development, thus creating top-notch riders like Lauren Reynolds.

For Lauren, her journey in her sport would not have been possible without the club's support for the past 21 years.

"I am very proud to be a member of Bunbury and grateful for all the members there who have supported me.

"Since day one, signing up and borrowing an ice cream container lid as my number plate to now, going to a third Olympic Games, the club has had my back, watched and supported me.

"I have never been much to talk about my history or stats, but it is awesome to think I am the first Australian BMX rider to go to three games, and it is crazy to think that my 9-year-old self who lived on her bike is still doing the same thing 21+ years later."

Leon Daymon, former president of Bunbury BMX Club, is proud to call Lauren a club alumnus.

"Lauren is an inspiration to all of us in Bunbury and at the club. She never gives up even when the cards are against her, which has been so for the last few years. She just keeps at it and keeps going."

"There is a real level of excitement when Lauren is in town. She is always there to give back to the community and is great with children during coaching clinics. Not only does she give them BMX skills and advice, but she connects with them and inspires them, and the kids bounce off that."

"On behalf of the committee, the whole club and the community largely, we wish Lauren the best of luck. No matter what time of day, we will be up watching the TV and cheering for her."

Lauren Reynolds will contest the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games BMX Racing competition from 29-30 July at the Ariake Urban Sports Park.

For more information on Bunbury BMX Club, visit:

Club website: https://bunburybmxclub.com.au/home/