Sponsorship
The OSNZ is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring Donald Ross in his endeavors as a BMX rider of world standing. We have provided him with riding jerseys with the OSNZ logos on them and some financial backing.
As he tours the country in competitions it is hoped that OSNZ members will be able to offer assistance to him at these competitions. This will provide an opportunity for members to both raise the profile of the OSNZ and advertise their own practice by way of business cards, pamphlets and banners. All of these items are going to be made available through the OSNZ Secretariat in the near future.
Donald’s itinerary will be posted on the web site as soon as it is known.
Donald Ross
At just 12, Whangarei cyclist Donald Ross has achieved more then many could hope to in BMX racing. The Whangarei Intermediate School student is now has world rankings of fifth in the 24 inch category and sixth in the 20 inch category, after successfully competing in the World BMX Championships in China.
Donald says he was pleased to make the finals at his age in the competition for both the 20-inch and the 24-inch categories. He came fifth in the 24-inch but was more please with the sixth place in the 20-inch because the 20-inch is more popular and has more competitors. Living just across the road from the Whangarei BMX track on Riverside drive, Donald had an interest in BMX riding from an early age.
He joined the Whangarei BMX club when he was seven and has been riding competitively for four years. He says he likes the thrill of racing, plus the chance to travel.
Donald says despite once going over the handle bars and injuring his neck, he is not worried about jumps, even the extra-large ones on China. “Sometimes I get nervous before the big races but not really when I’m doing the races,” he says.
His father Allan says Donald is committed to his vigorous training regime, which includes conditioning training and traveling to Hamilton for coaching. The family has bought a starting gate, so Donald can practice getting out of the gate at home.
After reaching the finals, Donald has now qualified for next years world championships in Adelaide. He says his ultimate aim is to reach the finals of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010. Donald says he would like to be a professional BMX racer but is realistic about his chances. “You have to be the best in New Zealand to make a career out of it,” he says.
For the meantime, he plans to continue with competitions in New Zealand and Australia, including the nationals in Whangarei next April.
Here is the second of the two people that the OSNZ is sponsoring as a way of keeping the OSNZ in the public eye, and to provide a vehicle that will allow members to show their support as well as advertise their own practice when they come and compete near you.
The OSNZ will provide you with advertising gear to enable you to show case both the OSNZ and your practice.
Jason Allen
Jason Allen is a 27 year old track cyclist and is the second New Zealand athlete the OSNZ is proud to sponsor. Jason started his track cycling career in Blenheim. He now bases himself for his rigorous training schedule in Christchurch.
As he tours the country in competitions OSNZ members will be able to both offer assistance to him and show case the OSNZ as well as advertise their practices at these competitions.
A race calendar will be shortly posted on this page.
Jason has competed both nationally and internationally, with many top achievements to his name. His best results have come on the track where he believes his future lies.
Some of Jason’s most notable performances to date are:
- Bronze Medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne
- Overall World Cup Medal Winner in the teams pursuit
- 2 World Cup Gold Medals in the teams pursuit
- 6 World Cup Medals
- 10 times New Zealand Champion
- 9 Oceania Games medals.
Jason has ridden professionally for the last 5 years, two seasons on the U.S circuit, and three in Europe. To ride for any pro team requires immense passion, dedication, sacrifices and self discipline.
Jason’s goals over the next four years include:
- 2009 - to medal in both the individual and teams pursuits at the world track championships in Poland
- 2010 - win gold in both the individual and teams pursuits at the Commonwealth Games in India
- 2011 - to win a world title in the individual pursuit at the World Championships
- 2012 - to win the Olympic title in the individual and teams pursuits at the London Olympic games.