Pedal to World Championships

Ellenbrook Senior High School student Charlotte Dunning is rolling towards the 2026 BMX World Championships in July, where she will represent Australia.

The Year 10 student secured her spot at the championship after competing at the AusCycling BMX National Championships, in Victoria earlier this year.  

Charlotte picked up BMX racing when she was six after being inspired by her first coach Airlie Gooden. 

She couldn’t be more excited to be representing Australia in Brisbane.  

“To wear the green and gold has been a dream of mine,” Charlotte said.  

“Airlie was 19 when she started coaching me, I loved watching her race on my home track. 

“Seeing a girl race with the boys made me believe I had a place.” 

Charlotte is currently ranked third in Western Australia for her age division.  

She continues to set goals she works to reach and has developed a ritual that she liked to follow.  

“I'm always looking to better my BMX skills and to chase the person in front of me,” she said. 

“I have a pump-up playlist that I listen to in the car, and I have a process to set up on the race gate.”  

At school, Charlotte tries to stay organised, helping her to balance her studies and sport.  

“I try to do most of my classwork in school time and catch up on the weekends,” she said. 

Beyond BMX, Charlotte is an active member of her school community, as a student councillor and an elite dance performer.   

Charlotte will be joined by Kelmscott Senior High Student Taj Carr, who is also heading to Brisbane to represent Australia later this year. 

Taj is currently ranked 17th in Australia.