The South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) is celebrating the selection of ten outstanding local BMX athletes who will represent Australia at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane later this month.
The Championships, to be held at the Brisbane BMX Centre from 17–25 July, will welcome more than 2,000 riders from around the world and mark the first time the event has been hosted in Australia in more than a decade.
The selected SWSAS athletes are:
Challenge Riders
- Locky Schwartz – 13 and 14 Boys Cruiser
- Zailee King – 14 Girls
- Maddison McCulloch – 15 and 16 Girls Cruiser, 15 Girls
- Sienna Biffin – 15 Girls
- Brody Willmott – 13 and 14 Boys Cruiser, 14 Boys
- Luke Morris – 15 and 16 Boys Cruiser, 16 Boys
- Mason Thorn – 16 Boys (World No. 8 from last year – 15 Boys)
- Ryder Nicholson – 17-24 Men
- Theodore Lorking – 13 and 14 Boys Cruiser
SWSAS BMX Coach Dan Morris said the group had earned every opportunity through their commitment to continual improvement.
“To have 10 of our 13 squad riders qualify for the Australian Challenge Team for the BMX World Championships is something we’re extremely proud of. It reflects the depth of talent in this group and the consistency they’ve shown across the season to earn their places on the world stage. For our riders to qualify across so many age groups and classes is a great reward for the work they’ve put in, and it’s exciting to see such a strong representation from our program heading into Brisbane.
It’s also great to see Mason Thorn return after finishing eighth in the world last year, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do again on the international stage yet again.“
Championship Riders
- Isla Basa – Jr Elite Women (World No. 4 from last year – 16 Girls)
“We’re incredibly proud of Isla on her Jr Elite selection to the Australian team for the BMX World Championships. Junior Elite selection is a significant achievement that reflects the quality of Isla’s season, with her Australian Junior Elite title, second place at the Oceania Championships, and selection as an AusCycling Categorised Rider all contributing to a well-deserved opportunity to represent Australia on the world stage for the first time at the elite level.” said Dan Morris
Coaching Staff
- Jessica Galeano – 25-29 Women
- Hayne Dawson – 17-24 Men, 17-24 Men Cruiser
- Daniel Morris – Australian Assistant Team Manager (Challenge)
Their selection is the culmination of years of dedication, countless hours of training and outstanding performances throughout the national BMX season. Competing on home soil presents a unique opportunity for these athletes to test themselves against the world’s best while proudly wearing the green and gold.
SWSAS Program Manager Stephen Craig said the Academy was incredibly proud to see such a strong representation from the South West Sydney region.
“To have ten athletes, along with members of our coaching staff, selected to represent Australia at a World Championships is an incredible achievement,”
“These selections highlight the strength of the athlete development pathway across South West Sydney and demonstrate what can be achieved through quality coaching, strong club environments and the commitment of our athletes and their families. We’re excited to watch them compete on the world stage in front of a home crowd, and I have no doubt they’ll represent themselves and Australia with pride.”
The Academy also acknowledges the invaluable contribution of local BMX club Macarthur BMX, coaches, volunteers, officials and families whose ongoing support has helped these athletes progress from grassroots participation to representing Australia on the world stage.
Everyone at the South West Sydney Academy of Sport congratulates all selected athletes and coaches on this outstanding achievement and wishes them every success as they prepare to represent Australia at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships.
Photo: (L-R) Luke Morris, Theodore Lorking, Isla Basa, Brody Willmott and Ryder Nicholson. South West Sydney Academy of Sport BMX Athletes selected for the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships. Photo: Kellie Nolan.
