About SWIBMX Facility
In 2015, The Cove sporting complex members had a meeting with local council (City of Marion) who explained that the sporting complex was struggling to house all sports and possible new venue/locations were being looked at, This would allow potential relocation of some clubs to ensure the future of all .
The Cove BMX club conducted a thorough investigation, leading them to visit the highly praised Majors Road location. Discussions at the site centered around the current track locations and limitations, emphasizing the need for a State/National venue. It was noted that the Happy Valley BMX Club faced similar challenges and shared venue aspirations. The Majors Road site was highlighted as having the potential to accommodate a track that would meet the facility aspirations of both clubs. Subsequently, the Happy Valley BMX Club and the Cove Board convened to explore the advantages of joining forces to propose a new track. Following this, representatives from both clubs diligently pursued numerous grant submissions and participated in numerous meetings, including a six-month Feasibility study. Ultimately, approval was granted for the construction of the new track on a greenfield site situated on Majors Road at O’Halloran Hill.
At that time, a project alignment group (PAG) was established, comprising delegates from Marion Council, Onkaparinga Council, Happy Valley BMX, The Cove BMX, BMXSA, past and present SA Elite riders, BMXA, contracted track designers, an architectural firm, and the office of sport and recreation.
The PAG group dedicated considerable time to refining venue plans that catered to the needs of local clubs and state and national requirements. Their objective was to boost competition participation in SA by introducing a track and events of national and international standards to the region, providing a new facility that aligned with the ambitions of clubs and their riders and members.
Commencing construction in early 2020, the project, like many others during that period, faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the facility successfully hosted a BMX National Series round in January 2021. The grand opening was attended by distinguished guests including Sam and Alilice Willoughby, Premier Stephen Marshall, local mayors, councilors, and a host of specially invited guests.
Regrettably, a sudden weather anomaly that weekend caused extensive damage to the track surface, rendering it unsuitable for use. In early 2023, discussions regarding track repairs and relocation of the club regained momentum. Following numerous consultations with construction firms and the council, an agreement was reached to permit the volunteer track crews of both clubs to undertake the resurfacing of the facility track. A timeline of 14 weeks and an estimated 2,200 hours of volunteer work were set to complete the track surface restoration. This significant effort enabled the clubs to transition into the facility during July and August. We are forever in debt to this small group of volunteers for the track surface that we have today.
The clubs takes great pride in our state-of-the-art facility, which features an impressive 8m and 5m start hill, distinct Pro and Challenge straights (culminating in a shared final straight), electronic timing zones on every straight and berm, a top-notch clubroom with a commercial-grade kitchen, a dedicated scoring room, and a first aid/drug testing room.
Our viewing mounds offer an ideal setting for spectators, providing ample space for club and team tents, ensuring a superb view from every angle. Recent improvements in 2024 also include a track fence, sealing of the runoff after the finish line through to staging & a dedicated wheelchair viewing area.
The SWIBMX Facility Incorporated serves as the overseeing authority of the facility. Three committee members from both Happy Valley and The Cove BMX clubs are part of this governing body, guaranteeing equal representation. Led by an Independent Chair, the body manages the facility as a whole, handling matters such as liaising with the council, facility maintenance, upgrades, and more.
Both clubs retain responsiblity for its members, and organising a racing schedule.
About Sam
The facility is named after local rider, Sam Willoughby who rode both Happy Valley & Cove BMX tracks in his rise to World Junior Elite Rider (2008, 2009), World Elite Rider (2012, 2014),
Olympian (Silver, London 2012) and Olympic Finalist (2016).
Along the way, Sam also won the Australian Institute of Sport Junior Athlete of the Year Award (2012) and was inducted into the
South Australian Sporting Hall of Fame in 2022.
In 2016, Sam was declared a tetraplegic after a training crash at Chula Vista BMX Track, which was documented in the film "Ride" (2022).
The photo opposite shows Sam & Alise (courtesy of trendraders.com) in 2022.
Watch here, when our young riders met Sam during the launch of the facility in 2022.
Sam's Career highights
2001 - 10 Boys 1A
2002 - 11 Boys 8A, Mighty 11s winner
2003 - 12 Boys 1A, World 4
2004 - 13 Boys 3A
2005 - 14 Boys 2A
2006 - 15 Boys 3A, World 3
2007 - 16 Boys 1A, Probikx Series champion, Junior Elite Oceania Champion Japan
2008 - Junior Men 1A, World 1, First career USA AAPro win, ABA grands, Junior Elite European Championships winner
2009 - Junior Men 8A, World 1, UCI World Cup overall winner Elite Men, South Africa World Cup - Elite Men, Frejus World Cup winner Elite Men
2010 - ABA National number 1 AA Pro, Madrid Word Cup winner Elite Men, Elite Men World Cup Number 2 overall, Elite Men World 4
2011 - Elite Men 1A, ABA National 2,nd Elite Men World 4
2012 - Elite men World 1 Birmingham, Olympic silver medal, USABMX National #1 Pro, World Cup overall winner Elite Men, Golden Crank Pro of the year, Nora Cup Pro of the year
2013 - USABMX National #1 Pro, USABMX AAPro consecutive wins record 13 times in a row. Golden Crank Pro of the year, Chula Vista World Cup winner Elite Men , Nora Cup Pro of the year
2014 - Elite men World 1 Rotterdam, time trial World 1, USABMX National number 2 AAPro, Golden Crank Pro of the year, Papandal World Cup winner Elite Men Chula Vista, World Cup Winner Elite Men
2015 - USABMX National #2, Elite Men World Number 7
2016 - Rio Olympics 6th, USABMX National #2 AA Pro, Nora Cup Pro of the year
New home to the cove & Happy valley BMX Clubs
The Cove BMX Club
Established in 1982, The Cove BMX Club boasts a distinguished legacy of producing champions at State, National, and International levels. Throughout its history, the club has been a prominent venue for numerous State and National events, including hosting two rounds of the National series in recent times.
The track at The Cove BMX Club has undergone several transformations to keep up with the evolution of BMX over its four-decade existence. Known for its pristine surfaces and smoothly orchestrated events, the club track earned acclaim thanks to the dedicated track crews, volunteers & Volunteer board members. Today, the club calls the state-of-the-art Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility on Majors Rd its new home. This facility represents the realization of the club’s long time aspirations and a collective vision by South Australian BMX enthusiasts for a top-tier BMX venue in the region
The above represents only a short glimpse of the clubs history, as the club settles in to its new home, an area for historical memorabilia will be created to further represent The Cove BMX Clubs rich history.
Happy Valley BMX Club
The Happy Valley BMX Club was formed in the early 1980’s and until the move to SWIBMX in July 2023, was operating at its original location within the Happy Valley Sports Complex. The club was privately owned and run, before affiliating with the South Australian BMX Association in 1981. The club has come a long way over the years, from a transportable caravan used as a canteen and towed out each week by club members to the wonderful facility at SWIBMX that we share today.
Over the years, the club successfully obtained a federal sporting grant in the early 1990’s which saw the track demolished and rebuilt to a standard of high regard. In October 2006, the first, second and third straights were demolished and rebuilt. The track was designed by a team of riders who have a lot of experience on the world and national circuits, and accommodates both the fast, highflying legends and the keen, unstoppable sprockets (riders 7yrs and under). The surface was relaid by volunteers prior to the 2016 State Titles and still remains there today.
Happy Valley BMX Club has hosted 6 state championships (1985 with Cross Keys, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2008, 2016) and the national championships in 2001. The club also hosted the 7th Australian Masters Games in 1999. Many State, National, World and Olympic Champions as well as SABMXA riders of the year have come from the Happy Valley BMX Club over the years. The club has had a long history of keen and hardworking parents which is evident by the growing list of life members.
The original track is located inside the Happy Valley Sports park, off Taylors Rd West, Aberfoyle Park. The club petitioned the Council (City of Onkaparinga) to retain the club track after the move to SWIBMX to ensure grass roots riding is still available in the area.
Facility Amenities
Information about the amenities at the facility.
Sponsorship
As we complete our business plan, feel free to email us for more details.
Both clubs will continue to seek club sponsors for events such as naming rights for racing series, class sponsorship etc. They can be contacted below:
- Cove
Stay tuned for exciting opportunities at SWIBMX.
