Expatriate Kiwi Leigh Gainfort has just been appointed as coach of the New South Wales Junior Motocross Team in Australia.
The well-known former Aucklander, a Papatoetoe High School old boy, now lives in Sydney, Australia, and this latest development is a tribute to the skills he acquired over a long and successful racing career that began in his native New Zealand, where he raced national-level events for 13 years.
“It’s a real privilege to be involved and we have some seriously talented riders in our team that will do extremely well at the nationals in South Australia in September,” said Gainfort.
“Our first team training is this weekend at Corrie Thompson’s property near Dargle as we build towards September.
“Australia has a great coaching structure, where juniors need to complete a Kickstart program, all juniors need to do five hours of coaching each year, and do an endorsement when moving up bike sizes. Many junior and senior riders are looking to experienced coaches to put together programs to assist them with their racing.
“I’m a Level 2 coach, accredited with Motorcycling Australia, and work with Level 1 coaches and club coaches to run coaching events, schools and race programs. Rider feedback and development is key, so we run smaller training events to ensure riders are getting maximum input.”
Gainfort has been racing motocross since 1980 and still compete now. He is a former New Zealand veterans’ motocross champion in the 30+ class. Currently he is riding for On Two Wheels, Kawasaki Australia.
He currently races a Kawasaki KX450, with help from O’Neal, Bell Helmets and Gaerne boots.
© Photo courtesy Leon Kelly
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here