Huncote Hornets - BMX'ing

In April 2009 Jan Freakley was hired to work with a group of young people on the 4 lane BMX track in Huncote in a more “structured manner”. Since then the club has grown in size drawing in riders from slightly further afield, with young people getting training tips under the watchful eye of Jan, in the Pavilion’s grounds. The aim is here to provide a fun and welcoming club where young people can get the opportunity to train with a view to winning competitions, or just to meet new friends and take part in some healthy exercise. One young man, Robert, who started coming to the club three months ago said that, “he liked riding his bike with other people” and that the facilities here were good.

Coaching used to take place on Saturday mornings only, but with a fantastic community spirit behind the Hornets and growing support from parents looking to get more actively involved in helping to run the club, that has now increased to twice a week. They are also now hoping to improve the facilities with a proposed much larger 8 lane track so more people can take part. While I was there it was fantastic to see so many young people participating in a positive activity, and wasn’t at all surprised to learn that some of the Huncote Hornets are competing at national and regional levels

Jan has been involved with BMX’ing for some years, with his two sons both starting out in the sport when they were 4 years old. Both were British Champions, and the youngest reached a European ranking of 2nd, and a World ranking of 3^rd. His youngest son continued riding until he was 22, was sponsored by Red Bull and turned pro at 16, being a racer on a wage! Jan sees himself in a very fortunate position of being retired and able to share his expertise and knowledge gained over the years with the Hornets, at what is the only BMX track in Leicestershire. In his own words;

“They (the riders) get a terrific sense of camaraderie, they get on with each other very well. They also get a great sense of self worth, it’s all down to them, in football it’s the 11 players effort, whereas here it’s down to each individual. Win or lose it doesn’t seem to matter, each challenge is individual to them, some do it purely to win, others do it for fitness or just to be out with their friends.”

Another parent added that her son had been “coming to the club for around 8 weeks and that he had Aspergers Syndrome, but since he’s been coming it has done wonders for his self confidence, he feels good about himself because he feels valid, everyone has treated him equally and been amazing with him. It’s really brought him out loads.”

If you would like to get involved with the club their details are:

Huncote Hornets
The Pavilion Leisure Centre
Sportsfield Lane
Huncote
Leics
LE9 3BN
Jan Freakley: 07884 436 646