Asher’s NZ selection ‘an amazing feeling’

Asher Nepia-Anderson says she was “so proud” to make the NZ Mighty 11s team and achieve “what I had set out to do”. Picture by Liam Clayton

A Gisborne BMX Club rider’s dream to have the silver fern on her sleeve is to become a reality.

Asher Nepia-Anderson is in the New Zealand team to compete in the Mighty 11s transtasman test at Macarthur on the outskirts of Sydney on July 8-9.

A second test is to be hosted in New Zealand on October 21-22.

The Kiwis and Aussies will lock wheels in two events in Macarthur — the test itself and the Memorial Class in which all riders will race over several motos to  decide  overall victors.

When the news came through 11-year-old Asher was one of the four girls to make the mixed team, she was elated.

“I was so proud that I had done what I had set out to do,” she said. “It was an amazing feeling I’ll never forget.

“My goals are to train  as hard as I can and to race the best I can. At the end of the Mighty 11s competition I want to feel that I couldn’t have trained any harder, or raced any better, and I was the best rider I could’ve been.

“And, of course, I want to beat the Aussies.”

Asher is looking forward to all the experiences ahead and sharing them with important people in her life — “being able to have this experience with my New Zealand teammates who I’ve grown up racing with all around the country since I was little and also having my whānau there with me.

“Also it’s going to be really cool looking back on it all knowing that at 11 years old I got to represent my country in the sport I love.”

Parents Sherilyn Anderson and Justin Nepia, who will be cheering her on from the sidelines, couldn’t be prouder of her.

“It means everything to us to see Asher go and represent her country,” Sherilyn said.

“She’s worked really hard in training and pushing herself through fears to get there. We are looking forward to seeing our girl out there with the New Zealand fern on her sleeve, representing our country .”

The family, with support from the club, have been hard at work fundraising for the trip.

A Have A Go Day fundraiser is being held at the Gisborne BMX Club track tomorrow from 1pm. Anyone interested is invited to head down to the Lytton Road track and give it a go or watch some of the experienced riders in action.

A firewood (poplar) raffle, sausage sizzle and other goodies will be on offer.

The club asks that all children are accompanied by an adult.

“Anyone of any age is welcome to come along and give racing a go or just check out what we’re all about,” Asher said.

Go to the Gisborne BMX Club Facebook page for more details.