DON Ross' Christmas came early this year when the 12-year-old found out he had scored a sponsorship deal that will help him improve his BMX racing.
Don is counting down to his next trip - to Melbourne in four weeks' time - where the world ranked rider will get to test
himself against the world's best in January.
The trip to Melbourne is all part of his preparation for the World Championships in Adelaide in July.
Trips cost money and it was a bonus to find there were sponsors willing to support local riders, his father Alan said. "Most kids only have their parents to sponsor them so it's great to see that there are organisations around who are willing to invest in future talent."
Don was presented with his sponsorship clothing and a cash grant of $750 from the Osteopathic Society of New Zealand by their Whangarei-based treasurer, Max Belcher.
Don has also been accepted to attend SET (Whangarei's School of Emerging Talent) next year to help his BMX career in the company of high-achieving sports people. Tuition costs around $5000 a year and the sponsorship will go toward that.
