Free off-road bike sessions for Benarty youngsters

KORMC provide young people with opportunities to develop, thrive and lead healthier, safer lives through offering off-road motorcycle activities including coaching to competition standard and workshop-based learning. Its main purpose is to build the skills and confidence of the young people it supports and help build safer communities.  

The Club’s Coaching Pathways offers progressive learning in off-road motorcycle riding from complete beginner at Level 1 through to competency at Level 6. Participants are then fit to compete in National and Regional Motocross or Trials championships. Alongside this, Kickstart is a 60-hour programme based in the Club workshop at Glenrothes. The focus is on motorcycle maintenance but also includes supportive group work. Participants are recruited through referrals from local schools, voluntary and care organisations and the local authority – for individuals subject to anti-Social Behaviour Orders. Several schools including Lochgelly High School have expressed interest in referring pupils who are struggling to engage with conventional school learning practice. 

The Benarty area faces challenges in relation to low income and employment levels, health, and education and skills, according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. The grant will enable young people in the Benarty area access club coaching sessions free of change. It will help address the need identified by the community for more outdoor sports and recreation facilities. Free fix bike nights will be available at the Club’s workshop where they help young people and children (parents too!) to learn basic motorcycle maintenance and repair. The workshop sessions are a perfect complement to the outdoor training; they give budding riders the skills to look after their motorcycle and ensure its safety as well as providing basic skills to start a career in mechanical engineering. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for some kids who would not otherwise be able to participate in off-road motorsport. It gives us the chance to help more individuals excel, develop and compete at regional and national levels. Who knows, one day we might have a champion hailing from the Benarty area! On behalf of our charity I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Ventient Westfield Benarty Community Fund, the panel members and everyone involved in this award.” 

 

David Paton, KORMC Programme Coordinator 

KORMC encourages safe and responsible motorcycling and works to reduce illegal off-road motorcycling helping to make communities safer. The Club has received several recognitions for its work including as a finalist in the Scottish Charity Awards 2020 for its work with the Levenmouth Anti-Social Behaviour Diversion Group. It attended the Queen’s Garden Party in 2018, had a Youth 1st Young Volunteer of the Year and was a finalist in the National Lottery Awards 2018. 

 If you'd like to know more about fund, including other projects who have received grants and how to apply, visit the Westfield Benarty Community Fund page.