National spotlight falls on Zone 7 BMX Club
Zone 7 BMX Club is set to host some of the best riders in the country from September.
The club’s efforts have been recognised nationally as it has been granted the honour of hosting the final two races of the SA Cup series - SA Cup 7 and 8.
It will also host the prestigious South African BMX Championships.
Founded just three years ago, Zone 7 BMX Club, located at Zone 7, off the N7, and has seen remarkable growth since its inception.
“For the good of the sport of BMX,” says Ruhan Rose, chairman of the club, “the club has grown to be the biggest in the Western Cape within a few years. Most of our riders compete not only at the national level but also represent South Africa in the African Continental Championships.”
The club’s success is evident in its consistent domination of podium places in both local and national events.
“We have a number of riders who fall under the top 8 in South Africa in their respective age groups,” Rose says proudly.
As BMX rider himself, who has taken his talents to competitions abroad, he says it's now all about empowering the youth.
With BMX now an Olympic sport, Rose dreams of producing an Olympian from the club.
Despite its rapid growth and success, Zone 7 BMX Club is primarily self-funded by the parents of its riders. This grassroots support is crucial but insufficient to cover the extensive costs of maintaining and upgrading facilities to meet national standards.
“At the moment we are a community-driven track relying on funding from parents and sponsors. We are busy doing much-needed upgrades to the track itself – we’ve already paved the turns to bring it up to standard and are now busy with the drainage and redesigning the straights and pro-line,” says Rose.
“As one of the newest clubs in the country, being able to host a massive event like the South African BMX Championships is not only a massive honour but also a step in the right direction for us as a club and as a province to create awareness and focus on the growth of this amazing sport.”
Hosting these events requires significant preparation to ensure a fair and competitive environment for all participants. The track must be rebuilt to eliminate any local advantages, a challenging task made worse by recent inclement weather that damaged the track.
“Working hard to get water off the tracks means more work and more funds needed by the club,” says Rose.
“We are looking for support as it's a heavy load, rebuilding it and redesigning it to make the field even for every rider.”
The club’s vision extends beyond just improving the track. Upgrading facilities around the track is also a priority to ensure a world-class experience for riders and spectators alike.
For more information, email Rose at info@zone7bmx.co.za
