Hordle BMX rider Millie Ross earns Great Britain call-up

HORDLE-based Millie Ross has gone from a relative novice to representing Great Britain in just over four years.

The Highcliffe School pupil’s BMX journey started after being spotted at the Hordle pump track by a parent, who is now one of her coaches at Bournemouth BMX Club.

The 11-year-old’s performances at the national series have earned her the chance to represent GB in the upcoming world championships in Copenhagen in July 2025.

Millie races for Bournemouth BMX Club, based at Iford playing fields. She is part of the Team Mind development squad, this year finishing fourth overall in the South Regional Series in the female 11-12 category and first at the South Region Championships, claiming the coveted 1S plate.

She has finished in the top eight at the national series for the past two seasons against the best girls from across the country in her age group. In eight of the 10 national races Millie raced in this season, she made the A-finals with around 30 highly competitive 11-year-old girls.

By having a top-14 placement in the national series in 2024, she met the qualification criteria to represent Great Britain at the world championships.

Ahead of the international showing, she will attend her regular club training. She will also participate in specialist coaching sessions around the country and at various southern BMX tracks with the South Region Development Centre.

The coach who spotted her four years ago was impressed by her self-taught skills and the control she showed. Following a brief ride on his son’s BMX race bike, she was keen to explore more. After trying the larger track, she was invited to compete at a club race the following week.

Millie and her family are grateful for the work of the Bournemouth BMX Club coaches Tim, Jon M, JT, Steve, Michael and James who have supported her on her journey.

Competing in any sport, especially internationally, is expensive, and anyone interested in supporting Millie Ross’s journey should contact Millie’s dad, Paul, at pauljross@hotmail.com