20 weeks of BMX Coaching for pupils of 3 schools in Llanrumney
- Lilia Blood
- Jan 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 23
Llanrumney Riders is beautiful example of multiple partners coming together with a 'whole systems approach' to working. With this project we brought together higher education, a local BMX club (Cardiff BMX Racing Club), Community Focus Schools, and Llanrumney based primary schools to apply for funding from the Community Cohesion Small Grants Fund and also Community Foundation Wales Cardiff and Vale Schools Fund.
The funding allowed for 15 pupils identified by Bryn Hafod, Pen Y Bryn, and Glan Yr Afon to access 20 week of coaching at their local club.
Llanrumney in East Cardiff is currently within the 10th percentile of most deprived areas in Wales according to WIMD (Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2025) and faces issues with anti-social behaviour and a lack of engagement from young people in sport.
Cardiff BMX racing club opened in the summer 2024 and is a world class facility (one of only three 8 metre start hill in the UK). We were blown away by the clubs commitment to belong to the community and increase access to the sport BMX. The project has created a safe but exciting space for the young people to try something new, and be active in.
The pupils told us that they were most proud of “going down the 5-metre hill” “learning pumping” and “cycling around the dragon’s back”. When asked if they felt like they belong to the BMX club all pupils answered yes, with one pupil stating, “I belong to the club, it’s not just for the pro’s”.
We are now in the process of supporting the schools to apply for more funding to continue the project next academic year with a new cohort of young people. Laura Croft from Community Focus Schools is also working to create sustained access for some of the current pupils by making referrals through the Welsh Sports Foundation.
To hear more details about this project please contact;
Gareth Jones - Head Coach at Cardiff BMX Racing Club
Laura Croft - Community Focus Schools Manager
Lilia Gillian-Blood - Physical Activity and Inclusion Co-ordinator
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