Child/Youth Programs Statement of Commitment

Trailhead Coaching prioritises the active participation of children, young people and their families in our programs. The focus is on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.

With a commitment to child safety and a zero harm stance we build risk management into everything we do. We value the voices of children and youth, whether participant or junior coaches, and imbed their feedback into our planning. 

Family and community focused riding is at the heart of our own mountain bike experiences, and we are dedicated to getting more kids riding bikes off road on Dja Dja Wurrung country and surrounding areas. 

Our founder and lead coach Jo Wall is a registered primary school teacher and has expanded her passion for working with children into the outdoor setting. 

All our coaches have Working with Children Checks, First Aid qualifications and have completed training in Child Protection and Safeguarding as well as Child Safeguarding in Sport. Trailhead provides regular mentorship and supervision of coaches to ensure that they are delivering high quality child-focused programs.

We maintain a coaching ratio of 1:6 which allows us to safely manage our riders and importantly to maximize learning time and be able to provide specific individual feedback.

View our  Child/Youth Safety & Wellbeing Policy here.

Our 3-day programs are designed to enable kids aged 3 to16 years to develop the fundamental skills of mountain biking. Each session has been designed and planned to progress skills, therefore it is essential that all 3 sessions are completed consecutively. These programs are the ideal way to achieve progression, have fun and get a taster for how we run our longer term programs.

For 3 to 5 years:

  • We progress your child’s position, balance and ability to ride in control. 
  • Fun game-based activities conducted in an open area where we develop key bike handling skills.
  • Our games build essential skills to help your little one ride safely and gain confidence riding in a group. 
  • Balance bikes welcome (Sorry no training wheels!)
  • Very basic off road terrain accessed 

For 6 to 16 years:

  • Progressing your child’s position, balance and ability to operate their controls efficiently and safely.
  • Fun group activities that build essential skills and confidence helping your child ride safely, smoothly and with good control 
  • Plenty of trail time and as skills are consolidated progressively utilizing  more challenging terrain over the 3 days.
  • Groups are formed based on skill, confidence and fitness levels.

Catering for ages 3 to 16, we offer weekly sessions for beginner (balance bikes or those on pedals bikes who are able to ride independently ) to intermediate riders (those confident with riding off-road who want to develop/refine skills)

Generally held across 8 weeks throughout the school terms, the sessions are structured to enable children/youth to build confidence in the fundamental skills of mountain biking and to gain experience riding a variety of terrain types.

Each session is carefully planned and structured in a sequential way that will allow your child to further develop their confidence and ability while riding local trails.

In Terms 1 and 4 we offer squad training sessions for riders 14+ who are wanting to take their riding further. Riders will commonly have a focus on competing at state and national level races in either Gravity Enduro or Cross Country. These coaching sessions and will focus on providing a competitive but supportive and fun atmosphere, intermediate and advanced skills development, race craft and preparation for target events. 

Currently on offer in our Bendigo and Castlemaine locations. See individual locations pages for what is currently on offer!

 

A party on bikes, with games, guided ride (either on trails or fire roads) and a treasure hunt for our younger riders!!!

A fun 1.5 – 2 hour session that can take place at the Walmer Recreation Site in Castlemaine; White Hills in Campbells Creek, Harcourt Mountain Bike Park or Muldoon Reserve in Bendigo.

An open area will be used to facilitate a range of fun, inclusive bike games and some fundamental skills instruction. This will help develop bike handling skills and also introduce riders to riding safety in a group. We then take these skills to the trails for a trail ride.