Preparing to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Queensland Government has today announced a national cycling Centre of Excellence will be established in Brisbane.
An addition to the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), the AusCycling Action and Acceleration Centre of Excellence will see the primary training environments for national track sprint and BMX racing programs based out of Anna Meares Velodrome and Brisbane SX International BMX Centre at Sleeman Sports Complex.
The Centre will allow all action and acceleration sports to be supported by the QAS in south-east Queensland, joining the BMX freestyle national program on the Gold Coast.
Expressing her delight for the body to be strengthening its partnership with the QAS to create a world-leading facility and performance program, AusCycling Chief Executive, Marne Fechner stated “the recent performances of our action and acceleration athletes and staff at the Paris Olympics shows that we will be launching this Centre from a position of great strength.
“On behalf of the entire cycling and riding community and those who will be following the progress of our athletes toward LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, we thank the Queensland Government, the QAS and the many people in the AusCycling team who have brought this dream to life.”
AusCycling Executive General Manager of Performance, Jesse Korf added “this initiative will provide our track sprinters, BMX freestylers and BMX racers with access to world-class facilities which will be featured at the 2032 Olympic Games. They will also have the benefit of outstanding coaches, support staff and enhanced performance support.”
Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the Centre positions Queensland strongly on the Green and Gold Runway to Brisbane 2032.
Minister Mander went on to say “as the host state for the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships, 2028 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, the 2030 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the 2032 Games, Queensland is the perfect place for AusCycling to develop its national program.
“Together with recent $1.5 million upgrades to the Brisbane SX International BMX Centre, they continue to create even more opportunities for our future Olympians.”
National program athletes, including Olympic gold medallist and BMX racer Saya Sakakibara and track sprinter Kristina Clonan, will relocate to Queensland from January 2025.
AusCycling will retain a presence at Adelaide Super-Drome for its endurance and para-cycling programs.
Image: 2018 Commonwealth Games action at the Anna Meares Velodrome.
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…
APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…
TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide.
Our…
Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…
Email for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org
Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support.
Myzone® is the leading…
Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…
Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…