kelvin - batey
bmx
What was your sport and how did you get into it?
I got into BMX through having a track local to me when I was six years old. I would go down there quite regularly, but it wasn’t until I came across the local club running a session that I knew much about the racing side of the sport. I was invited to a few club sessions which went really well so I decided to take part in my first regional race after a few months. I loved the sport from then on and I was hooked.
Tell us about the highlights of your sporting career?
My highlights in BMX are definitely winning the six medals at the World Championships with two bronze, two silver and two gold. The two gold medals came right at the end of my career, at a time when I thought my chance to become a World Champion had gone, but I worked hard, kept on believing and it all paid off.
What were some of the challenges you experienced and how did you overcome them?
I had to overcome alot of injuries in the sport, from breaking my femur, collarbone, both wrists and dislocating my shoulder, all within three years of each other when I was in my early 20s. This really halted my progression and made me question if it was all worth it quite a few times, but BMX was my passion and being successful was my big focus in life. Every time I got injured I put a plan together as to how I was going to get back to full fitness and tried to give myself a time frame as to how long I would do it in. That was my purpose for getting out of bed during those times in the same way getting faster on a bike was my reason before the injuries.
What have been your highlights while working at the Trust?
There have been so many highlights after working on all the different programmes but the one that really sticks in my head was a virtual programme that I ran during Covid. There were young people taking part from all over the country, having never met or heard of each other who came together and would hardly speak at the beginning. As the programme went on, friendships were formed and people got on so well that some of them started meeting in their own time. It was great to see and lots of individual and group progression was made.
What do you do now alongside working for the Trust?
I really enjoy the work I do with young people and adults so I deliver programmess and workshops for other organisations as well as coaching/mentoring up and coming BMX riders mainly in my local area, but also around the country.
What life advice would you give a young person?
If you are willing to work hard, make some sacrifices and believe in what your are doing to achieve your goals, then you have a great chance of being successful.
What experience do you have of working with corporate organisations?
I have delivered motivational sessions for corporate companies over the last five years, aiming to get teams or individuals of the organisation focussed on their short and long term goals, both personally and professionally.
What does Being Me mean to you?
Being Me makes me feel happy and content, where any inhibitions or caring too much about being judged go out of the window. It is about feeling comfortable with who you are and having people accept you for that.
Competitive
Record
2015
Gold – UCI World Champion
Gold – Cruiser World Champion
2014
Silver – UCI World Championships
Gold – Cruiser World Champion
2013
Gold – UCI World Champion
2010
Bronze – UCI Cruiser World Championships
2007
Bronze – UCI Cruiser World Championships
2005
Silver – UCI Cruiser World Championships
