Knoxfield motocross BMX champ Stephanie Alexander a Leader Sports Star nominee

Even as a four-year-old Stephanie knew she wanted to race bikes. Now the motocross BMX champ is helping pave the way to success for other girls.

Motocross BMX champ Stephanie Alexander.

Nominee: Stephanie Alexander, 10

Suburb: Rowville

Sport: Motocross BMX

Club: Knox BMX Club, Knoxfield

Coach: Dean Patch

How old were you when you took up your sport? Four

How did you get involved in this sport?

We walk our dogs past the Knox BMX track and I asked my dad if I could have a ride around the track when I was four. I then pestered him all week to take me back so I could race the boys that were riding around when I was there. We then joined the Knox BMX Club and had a couple of races on a club bike and I have loved it ever since.

Recent competitions:

I have competed in the Vic state titles in 2017 and 2018, winning in 2017 and coming second in 2018. I have also competed in the Australia titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018 coming third, second and winning the Australian Title in 2019.

Recent awards

— 2019 Australian champion 10 girls,

— 2018 Victorian champion;

— 2018 second at the Australian National Championships;

— 2018 second at the Victorian titles;

— 2018 National series champion (class 20 inch);

— 2018 National series champion (class 24 inch); and

— 2018 Victorian junior female champion award.

Your biggest success?

Winning the 2019 Australian title for 10 girls in April 2019 in Shepparton against the former Australian Number 1 who is also a former world Number 2. I trained really hard for six months and I am very proud of this achievement.

Describe your training routine:

I train four to five times per week with two early morning sessions. Track work on Monday and Saturday, swim squad training Tuesday, hill climbs on Wednesday, gate practice on Thursday, club race on Friday, Sunday rest.

What do you love most about your sport?

I love the competitive nature of the sport and the friendships I have made since I began. I love racing up against the boys and beating them and showing all the girls that we are just as strong and as fast as the boys. I also get to be a role model for all young girls to get involved in sport and what can be achieved if they work hard.

Toughest challenge:

Getting injured is really hard because it hurts and you can’t race until your injury heals. Last year I bruised my growth plate in my heal and couldn’t ride or race for three weeks. I also missed my clubs big Open Meet Thunder Dome which was sad.

What is your ultimate sporting goal?

To win the BMX world title in 10 Girls in Belgium this July and hold the title into 11 girls in 2020 in Texas. Then to one day race in the Olympic Games.

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Sporting heroes?

Caroline Buchanan, Conner Fields, Laura Smulders and Saya Sakakibara.

‘I couldn’t have done this without …’

My mum and dad have supported me from my first ride with great bikes and travelling to all the events. My coach Dean Patch is just the best coach I could dream of. The Knox BMX Club for getting me started as a tiny four-year-old sprocket girl.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

My other BMX goals are to be a role model for all young girls to get involved in sport at a young age. Increase female participation in BMX and promote a healthy lifestyle for young girls. I would love to show all young girls that if you try your hardest and work hard you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Know someone with great sporting talent? Nominate them here.

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