Press Release: Buchanan Next Gen

January 27, 2014

PRESS RELEASE: After years of thinking about how great it would be if I could contribute in some way to help the up and coming young female BMXers, it has finally become a reality. As a five time BMX and Mountain Bike World Champion I want to give back to the sport that has taken me through an amazing journey to the highest level, competing at the Olympic Games. I want to support and nurture the future of BMX and women in sport, while I am still in the sport and to break the mould of sponsorship support in Australia taking it to a new level of professionalism, to help the girls to overcome adversity that is faced in male dominated sport when aspiring to be the best in the world and to give them the opportunity to compete on the world stage and gain the experience necessary to be champions of the future.

The Buchanan Next Gen Team is kicking off in 2014 with two terrific young ambassadors for the sport in 10 year old Paige Harding from the Castle Hill BMX Club in Sydney and 13 year old Mikayla Rose from my home track Tuggeranong BMX Club Canberra.

Paige is an amazing young rider. At the age of 10 she’s already been NSW and ACT state champion and shown some great skills. I’d love to give her the best shot possible to further develop, compete and pursue her dream to become an elite BMX rider, ride the USA Grand Nationals and compete in the 2024 Olympics.

Mikayla is also an amazing talent. I’ve been keeping an eye on her performance for a while and think she really has potential. How amazing would it be if she made it to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Both of them are aiming high and are thrilled to be a part of Buchanan Next Gen. When asked how they felt…

Paige HARDING #66 said “when I was asked to be on the Buchanan Next Gen team I was so excited. To be sponsored is one thing but by Caroline Buchanan; my idol; is another thing. When I first met Mikayla we formed a friendship instantly… Mikayla, Caroline and me are willing to show that all girls can be a part of the sport of bmx. I know I will make Caroline, Mikayla, friends and family proud but I also know I have a lot of hard training and work to do.”

Mikayla ROSE #22 “Ever since I started racing I have looked up to Caroline. Now having the chance to be in her team and have her as a mentor is such an awesome privilege. I am looking forward to riding more with Paige and being able to support her when Caroline is overseas. Because the team is all about young girls in sport and them chasing their dreams, it will be great to be able to be a part of that and hope that more young girls strive to be the best they can in any sport they play. I am so excited about this team and having Caroline as a sponsor. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I hope that this team is a great success for both Caroline and the riders.”

This whole concept has been readily embraced by my mentor Layne Beachley supprting the girls through her Aim For The Stars Foundation and my sponsors.
A huge thank you to DK Bicycles, Vie13, Fly Racing, Monster Headphones, Backbone BMX, Oakley, Fist Handwear, TeeNcee graphics, and Powerbar as they have enabled the team to be using the best products and truly be a professional looking team and the girls to be able to be on real sponsorship deals.

During the month of February 2014 I am running a fundraising campaign through Sportaroo to help launch the team and fund the girls to some of the National Rounds, Australian Nationals and hopefully reach the tageted burget allowing the girls to attend the BMX World Championships in Holland depending on the success of the campaign. A really successful campaign will also help to buy a Next Gen team tent, create a video series, further coaching opportunities and grow the team adding more girls to the Next Gen team in 2015.

Details can be found at https://www.sportaroo.com/carolinebuchanan . I hope everyone can either share the word or get behind the girls and push this team to the next level.
I had some amazing help here from my cosponsors as well as BMX Australia, GSX, UCI BMX Supercross and Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa who have all donated packages to be purchased.

Paige Harding #66 and Mikayla Rose #22 with Caroline Buchanan #W1 supporting the NEXT GENERATION!