Dubbo cyclists Kurt Eather and Danny Barber have been selected in the NSW Institute of Sport Cycling program.
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Eather is the current under-19 Oceania and Australian points race champion while Barber is the under-17 Australian sprint, kieran, time trial, scratch race and team sprint champion.
Barber holds the Australian sprint record, is the 2019 Dubbo young sportsperson of the year and, at 16, he's also among the youngest athletes in the program.
Barber said his selection will provide a great opportunity to train and compete with athletes already where he would like to be in the foreseeable future.
The 18-year-old Eather was the 2018 Dubbo young sportsperson of the year.
"This year I am stepping up into the elite category," Eather said.
Dubbo Cycle Club president Matthew Gilbert says it is very rare to see this level of dedication in such young men.
"It is an extremely difficult sport that requires a huge amount of dedication," Gilbert said.
"The club is extremely proud of them. We recognise their personal sacrifices and their dedication to the sport.
"They are two of the very few people tough enough to do it."
The Dubbo duo trains six days a week and according to Gilbert the training is high pressure.
"The Dubbo club is first in the state, fifth in the country and it all comes down to the coaches," he said.
"And coaches Gus and Vaughn Eather are dedicated in bringing out the very best from our athletes."
The NSWIS team consists of former world champion and Olympic medalist Sean Eadie as sprint coach, sports physiologist and endurance coach Katie Slattery and NSW selector and assistant coach Michael Marshall, that trio travelling to the Central West last Friday to meet with the Dubbo pair and the other riders in the squad.
Eather said the support from the NSWIS program will go a long way to helping him to compete with current Olympic and world champions.
The intent of the NSWIS cycling program provides world-class coaching, training, competition, facilities and support services to improve athlete development.
Eather and Barber will join world champions and Commonwealth Games gold medalists Ashlee Ankudinoff and Karlee McCulloch in the program.
"Eather and Barber both have a willingness to keep pushing themselves," Gilbert said looking at the drive the Dubbo duo possesses.
A competitive streak that will no doubt hold them both in good stead as the level of competition increases in the future.
"Yet they both have humble natures," he continued. "There is no ego, no pretentiousness."
Gilbert says the Dubbo club is very proud of the two young men.
"They're very special young men and young athletes," he said. "Great cyclists, and overall great people.
"I hope to see that their pathways remain clear, and that both of the boys are able to have their hard work and dedication rewarded.
"It's a privilege to see them improve and to see them actioning the very well thought out plans put out by their coaches.
"A few years back the club thought we were at our fastest and most competitive.
"But these guys are faster, extremely competitive and know they have to pull out their absolute A-game."
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Your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard and I would love to help you share it. I have five years of experience as a Journalist with Australian Community Media covering an array of topics, with a key focus on breaking news and crime and a passion for people. E: taylor.dodge@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard and I would love to help you share it. I have five years of experience as a Journalist with Australian Community Media covering an array of topics, with a key focus on breaking news and crime and a passion for people. E: taylor.dodge@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
