How the Snowy Mountains Grammar School Mountain Bike Academy supports young riders to progress on and off the trail.
At just 13 years old, Snowy Mountains Grammar School student and Mountain Bike Academy rider Maddie Lloyd is carving her path in the international mountain biking world. Having first jumped on a bike at three and started racing at seven, Maddie is now recognised for her courage, technical skill and determination on the trails.
During Term 3, Maddie travelled to Canada to compete at the 20th Crankworx Whistler, one of the world’s most prestigious mountain biking festivals. While her initial goal was simply to gain experience, Maddie exceeded expectations—landing on the podium multiple times with two victories and two third-place finishes in the under-15 category.
Her standout performance came in the Garbanzo Downhill, a gruelling 7 km descent through Whistler’s steepest terrain. Maddie’s time of 15:00.887 minutes not only secured the win but would have placed her fifth in the Elite Women’s division—an extraordinary result for a 13-year-old. She also claimed victory in the Air Downhill on A-Line, one of the world’s most famous jump trails, and finished third in both the Dual Slalom and the OG Canadian Open Downhill.
Beyond the medals, Maddie gained invaluable experience racing against athletes from the USA, Canada and New Zealand, learning to adapt to new courses, conditions and competition environments.
The Power of Community and Academy Support
Maddie’s success is strengthened by a passionate local community and the expert support of the SMGS Mountain Bike Academy.
“The Academy has been huge for me,” Maddie said. “Riding and training with other young athletes pushes me to improve, and the coaches have given me confidence to take on bigger events. It’s also helped me balance my riding with my schoolwork.”
The SMGS Mountain Bike Academy provides structured coaching, mentoring and a team environment that empowers students to develop their technical skills, build resilience and thrive both academically and athletically. The program leverages the school’s unique Snowy Mountains location, giving riders direct access to world-class trails and training facilities.
Maddie’s Key Results
- National Champion in multiple MTB disciplines
- Three-time winner of the Thredbo Gravity Series
- Queen of the Mountain at the Australian Interschools and Cannonball Festival
- Selected for the South East Sports Academy Future Champions Program (2025)
- Selected for the AusCycling Development Academy MTB (NSW/ACT, 2025)
About the SMGS Mountain Bike Academy
The Snowy Mountains Grammar School Mountain Bike Academy provides young riders with professional coaching, competition support and access to some of Australia’s best alpine trails. The program encourages students to pursue their passion for mountain biking while maintaining strong academic progress and personal wellbeing, fostering teamwork, resilience, leadership and a lifelong love of mountain biking in a supportive and challenging environment.
Whether students are new to the sport or competing at a national or international level, the Academy focuses on skill development, confidence and sportsmanship all within a supportive school environment.
Maddie’s inspiring journey is just one example of how the SMGS Mountain Bike Academy supports students to grow in skill, confidence and character, both on and off the trails, through guidance, challenge and a strong sense of community.
Supporting Riders, On and Off the Trails
The Snowy Mountains Grammar School Mountain Bike Academy helps students build strength, resilience and focus, skills that carry far beyond the race course.
With professional coaching, a supportive community and a balanced approach to learning, we empower every rider to progress with confidence.
Limited Year 7 2026 Boarding Scholarships are now available for passionate riders and future leaders. Learn more or apply today.