TE AWAMUTU Spotlight on

Te Awamutu will host the 2026 national BMX championships.

Club president Rodney Prescott told The News he hoped the three day event would bring about 5000 people to town.

The decision to bring the event to Waipā was made at the national body’s annual meeting in Auckland last weekend.

Prescott said the last time Te Awamutu held this event was in 2017 - it was staged in torrential rain, but the club still pulled off “an amazing event”.

“As a club we have applied a few times for a major event but have missed, out so to get this one is a huge boost for our club and we can’t wait to showcase our track to the country and world.”

Prescott said the number of competitors at major events had dropped as a consequence of the Covid pandemic but he hoped to see pre-Covid levels achieved again by 2026.

“In the past we have had around 9001000 riders so it would be great to see those numbers again.

“It will also be a big boost for our little town if we can get a high number of riders because 1000 riders plus their families and supporters could bring around 5000 people to Te Awamutu.”

He said the event will require considerable input from club volunteers and funding.

“The club will need to raise by fundraising and applying for grants to make this event a success.”