BMX star to launch HSBC Manx Youth Games

Wed, 15 Jan 2020

British BMX rider Shanaze Reade will officially launch this year’s HSBC Manx Youth Games.

In a remarkable career, the 31-year-old from Cheshire competed in two Olympic Games and won multiple world titles in both BMX and track cycling.

Shanaze said: ’It is such an honour to have been asked to launch this incredibly special and well-established sporting event in the Isle of Man. Sport of any kind is extremely beneficial for children and young people; not only is it great for physical health, but it’s taught me a lot about determination and perseverance. Above all, the Games are about having fun and I really look forward to meeting everyone involved at the launch.’

The event will be launched next Monday at the Sports Institute in Douglas.

BMX will be included in the Games for the first time in 2020, alongside 14 other sports, which will form the Isle of Man’s biggest multi-sport event of the year for children and young people.

Since its inception in 2002, more than 20,000 six to 16-year-olds have taken part in a variety of sports including basketball, crown green bowls and girls football - with many going on to join clubs and participate in community sport.

The event itself will be held on 16 May with training sessions beginning later this month.

---