Newhaven College goes all-in on mountain bikes

Newhaven to launch new Mountain Biking Academy

NEWHAVEN College on Phillip Island is set to launch one of the first mountain biking (MTB) academies of its kind anywhere in Australia next year.

Already with an enviable reputation as a leader in outdoor education, the college’s new MTB academy will come complete with purpose-built facilities integrated into its 33-hectare grounds.

As well as its obvious benefits to students, the added emphasis on this burgeoning sport is expected to have a developing impact on the sport and the economy locally as well.

Leading the charge is sports teacher Adrian Wale who has been appointed Coordinator of Mountain Biking from the start of next year.

A notable figure in the world of MTB, Wale founded the highly regarded academy at Dromana Secondary College which has produced a number of world class athletes and most recently, Harry Doye, who competed in Switzerland and the Nove Mesto World Cup in the Czech Republic earlier this year.

Principal Tony Corr sees the academy as a real game-changer.

“As educators, we are excited to unveil a new chapter in our commitment to sporting excellence with the introduction of the Newhaven College Mountain Biking Academy,” Mr Corr said this week.

“Building on the triumphant legacies of our surfing and equestrian academies, this expansion marks a significant stride toward providing our students with a diverse range of athletic opportunities.

“We look forward to creating an equally thriving community within the MTB Academy, where students can push boundaries, develop their skills and forge lasting connections with the great outdoors. This approach exemplifies Newhaven College’s unwavering commitment to empowering our students through a comprehensive and enriching educational experience”.

The Newhaven College MTB Academy will include specifically designed programs to target each level of riding ability.

As well as participating in the sport on campus, students will be given the opportunity to attend MTB excursions, including an annual Mountain Biking camp.

The program will focus on skills development and progression but also include subjects such as bike maintenance and repairs, health and nutrition, trail design and construction, trail stewardship and sustainability, and working with local communities.

Over the past 18 months, the Newhaven College Mountain Biking team has brought home silverware from countless events across Victoria.

The team is currently preparing to compete for the second time at the Australian MTB Inter-school event at Thredbo in March next year.

Underpinning the ambitious plan is the College’s new strategic direction Hearts & Minds which aims to provide the best possible environment for learning and growth. The plan is built around five key priorities: Learning, Care, Community, Sustainability and Innovation.

As well as positioning itself as a leader in sports education, the College is also aiming to contribute to the broader community by addressing a gap in the region’s recreational facilities.

It is envisaged that by collaborating with other schools locally, the academy will help to foster an ‘MTB positive’ culture, providing opportunities for students right across the region.

The establishment of a MTB Academy at Newhaven College will dovetail nicely into the development of a mountain bike strategy by the Bass Coast Shire Council’s BMX Pump Tracks Mountain Bike

Reference Group, with the potential for Bass Coast to diversify its present offering by becoming a go-to location for the sport in Australia.