The MWA Women’s committee is dedicated to supporting women in motorcycling in all disciplines. Through fundraising during the year at our events, the MWAW committee is able to put together small sponsorship packages to support Western Australian women in their endeavors to compete at a national level in their chosen discipline.
As the Australian Supermoto Women’s Championship is being held in Western Australia in 2017, rather than provide support for travelling expenses which is the usual form of support, the committee have identified that funding/reimbursing the final practice session for eligible WA Women would be appropriate.
Applications are now being taken for sponsorship for the Australian Womens Supermoto Championship from eligible competitors.
Eligibility:
- demonstrate valid entry to the event
- not received any support from MWA W in 2017
- attending the final practice session Thursday 16th November
- willing to provide an article & picture of your experience in the event for publication by MWAW
The MWAW committee would like to invite you to apply for our National Championship Support program as you have been identified as a nominated entrant and have not received any support from MWAW in 2017
Please complete the following page and return to mail@motorcyclingwa.org.au along with your article about the event for the committee to process your application. Please note that we have to have the article in order to process your application and reimbursement.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the committee if you have any questions through the email address above. We look forward to receiving your application and would like to wish you all the best for the event. Ride safe and have fun!!
Tracy Simpson
CHAIRPERSON
MWA WOMEN'S COMMITTEE
Newsletter
What an amazing year it has been!
Western Australia is seeing increasing numbers of women and girls out riding their motorbikes, enjoying themselves, meeting like minded people and venturing into the competitive side of the sport in all the disciplines.
The MWA W committee has worked hard to continue to advocate and support increased opportunities for women and girls with a range of initiatives which has resulted in the committee being recognised by the International Federation of Motorcycling (FIM). The MWA W committee was awarded the FIM Women in Motorcycling Award at a gala ceremony in Andorra in November. This international recognition is testament not only to the work undertaken by the committee, but to the many women and girls who participate, the clubs and volunteers who support the initiative and the organisation who have recognised the need to support women to be given more opportunities. We look forward to continuing our work in years to come.
Ride Days
During 2017 the committee held several ride days which were hugely successful and culminated with the Chain Reaction Moto Girls interclub held this year at Byford Motocross track. A new initiative to recognise our up and coming riders was the 65 cup which was hotly contested with a final le mans style race. Congratulations to our inaugural winner Leah Rimbas. Thankyou to all the clubs who support the women and look out for more ride days coming in 2018.
Annual Awards 2017
Once again the MWA W were overwhelmed with the number and quality of the nominations for the annual awards recognising women in the sport,both as riders and behind the scenes as volunteers, officials and administrators. This year we were proud to award the Rider Award to Jemma Merrylees for her outstanding achievements in the ATV discipline with several national championships to her credit. The volunteer award was won by Maureen Davey who has been a volunteer with the Historic Road Racing community for many years and is highly regarded by all in the sport. Congratulations to both.
Once again the MWA W were overwhelmed with the number and quality of the nominations for the annual awards recognising women in the sport,both as riders and behind the scenes as volunteers, officials and administrators. This year we were proud to award the Rider Award to Jemma Merrylees for her outstanding achievements
in the ATV discipline with several national championships to her credit. The volunteer award was won by Maureen Davey who has been a volunteer with the Historic Road Racing community for many years and is highly regarded by all in the sport. Congratulations to both.
Enduro, Trials, Speedway, MX and Supermoto all continued to support the growth of women in 
the sport and let us know about the exciting racing during the year. Keep the stories coming !
The WAMX MX state titles saw some hotly contested racing over the 4 rounds. Thanks to those
who participated in the recent survey in relation to the MX state rounds, the promoter has listened
to the riders and the women will be competing at every round in 2018, 6 rounds for the women!
National Achievements
In 2017 we saw some amazing national achievements from our WA women and girls. Brooke Hollins came home with not one national title in the ATV Australian championships, but two! Brooke is the first female to ever win dual national championships in ATV. TJ O’ Hare completed her junior days by taking out the MX Australian junior girls Championship taking five wins from five races. TJ’s hard work and dedication is showing amazing results as she progresses into the senior ranks in 2018 .
MWA W do a lot of fundraising during the year to put money back into the sport and one of those areas is the national support program. This year the committee were able to offer support to the women travelling to the MX Nationals in Coolum where WA had an amazing 11 entrants in the field of 31. Truly amazing for our state. The women were also supported by Neill Dunne with transport of their bikes and equipment, thanks Neill. The racing was intense over the weekend, Chelsea Blakers coming home with a broken collarbone, the Bagnal girls having some highs and lows, Lily Kent riding with an injured foot but still consistent and Jess Moore, continued to inspire all coming away with second overall. A great campaign by all WA women for the weekend!
Recently Supermoto Australian Championship was held in WA which was great to be on home soil. Again WA fielded a strong line up of women to contest the title which saw Jess Boujos take wins in every heat to take out back to back national titles and Chelsea Blakers take second position on the podium.
Dirt High Manjimup
For the first time in its history, the iconic Dirt High Manji 15000 introduced a womens class to the event in 2017. Willie Thompson recognised the growth of women’s participation in the sport and together with the race sponsor WA Assett –The Bathroom Renovator, put together one of the most exciting races of the year. It was fantastic to see 29 women line up on the gates for the inaugural race which didn’t disappoint. We look forward to this event getting bigger and better every year.
The Future, 2018 and beyond, our 2020 vision!
The MWA W committee continue to dedicate their time to supporting the growth and recognition of women and girls who love to ride their motorbikes, either competitively or just for fun. Our long term goal is to continue to advocate for women in the sport and to see continued growth in participation.
Some of our plans for 2018 are to:
Ø continue to hold our Moto Girls ride days and extend this to other disciplines
Ø support the development of our riders by offering coaching clinics in as many disciplines as we are able to
Ø continue to fund raise to offer national championship support
Ø support the growth of iconic events such as Manji and aim for high profile support of the event
Ø A garage day – workshop to support women to learn basics of bike maintenance
Ø Continue to raise the profile of women in the sport with regular media stories, rider profiles and behind the scenes series, highlight the women volunteering behind the scenes
Thankyou !!
Finally, thankyou to all the women and girls and their supports who attend our programs and help out on the day. Thankyou to all the clubs who are willing to work with us in holding the events and thankyou to the committees who are now regularly scheduling in women’s classes to their race days. Thankyou to the sponsors and promoters who are recognising the value in supporting women in the sport and are offering increased opportunities to women and girls.
The success of our program is due to the commitment and support of everyone involved throughout the state and we would like to say thankyou.
Dont forget to get in touch and let us know your ideas, we would love to hear them. Catch up with us at the track and let us know what things are important, what we can do differently and also, what is going great so we can share it.
We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all out there in 2018!
Regards your committee
Codes of Behaviour
otorcycling WA and the women's committee endorse and support the Motorcycling Code of Conduct and the Member Protection Policy respecting the rights of all
those engaged in or supporting Motorcycling activity in Western Australia.The MWA Women's committee are committed to ensuring that women and girls are supported,
valued and offered equal opportunity to participate in the sport.
As a member of MA, or a person required to comply with MA's member protections policy, you must meet the following standards in regard to you conduct. These
codes of behavior apply to any activity held or sanctioned by MA and in any role you hold within MA affiliated organisations.
Be aware and act
- With the rules and spirit of motorcycle sport.
- Promote fair play over winning at any cost.
- Encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills.
- Support opportunities for participation in in all aspects of the sport
- Treat each person as an individual.
- Show respect and courtesy to all involved with the sport.
- Respect the rights and worth of every person,regardless of their age, race, gender, ability, cultural background, sexuality or religion.
- Respect the decisions of officials, coaches and administrators.
- Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one – on -one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance exists)
with people under the age of 18.
- Display appropriate and responsible behaviour in all interactions.
- Display responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs.
- Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions.
- Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment.
- Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment free environment.
- Do not tolerate abusive, bullying or threatening behaviour.
To view the full MA Protection Policy please click following link MA Protection Policy
Motorcycle sport is a fun, safe and enjoyable activity and getting involved is easy.
Our affiliated clubs are always on the lookout for new members. Our clubs are full
of friendly and welcoming people who all share a passion for motorcycle sport.
Of course getting involved does not just involve riding. We are always on the lookout
for more Officials and Coaches. If you are interested in becoming a Coach or Official
you can find out more information by visiting the respective Officials or Coaching pages.
Getting started in the Motorcycling Sport click here
Rider Profiles - The MWA Women’s committee would like to continue to post profiles of our women and
girls out there enjoying the sport in all facets so that you can all share and get know a little more about
our inspirational women and girls in WA.
WOMEN'S ROAD RACING
Krystal Biffen
In our series of rider profiles, MWA women’s committee would like to introduce and
recognise Krystal Biffen. Not only is Krystal an active racer in both disciplines of road 
racing and supermoto against the guys, she has been nominated several times for
recognition for her off track efforts in supporting the supermoto club, helping with the
organisation and running of events, and always being helpful, reliable and friendly.
Krystal also managed to do all this and spend time caring for her husband after an accident, a true role model to all in our industry and in particular the younger girls coming through.
Krystal sat down with committee member Jess Boujos for a bit of a chat about her racing.
How long have you been on a motorbike?
I first got on a motorbike at the age of 5 it was a hand me down Honda 50cc. I then rode a few other bikes until the age of 11. I got back into bikes in 2010 when I got my road bike license after riding pillion with my big brother.
How did you get involved with the sport?
My good friend Jessica Boujos and her husband Tim were trying to start a 250 production class and I really wanted to do road racing but not on a 600cc bike so I thought this would be a great entry class. I borrowed a bike from Jessica and did a session at Barbagallo and then at RAC and fell in love. We then bought a bike to race the last round in 2014 but I only got to do the practice season as my husband Andrew had a major crash and was taking away to hospital with a broken pelvis. I was back again at the start of the 2015 season.
Did you do other types of racing before road racing?
I raced Mini-Motards with SupermotoWA for a year in 2014 but sold the bike to buy a 250 production. I have since bought another mini-motard and am again racing. I also raced a MX State Round with Jessica after only being on a MX track once, it was a great experience.
Upcoming season:
The 2016 season has seen MA bring in new rules for production racing which has resulted in 2
classes, up to 300 and over 300. Being on a 250 production bike it will make my season much harder as
I won’t have the power of the bigger bikes. I am currently looking for financial help in securing a more competitive bike for this season but if this is not possible I am looking forward to getting faster and learning new skills as I battle to push my 250 to new limits to compete with the front running 300cc bikes.
Thanks Krystal for your time and best of luck for the 2016 season.
WOMEN'S MOTOCROSS
Kathryn Scoble
A lady of many talents, Kathryn is an accomplished dancer and a professional physiotherapist, who also loves to ride her motorbike as much as she can.
Kathryn started riding motocross at the age of 9 many years ago and said there weren’t many other girls riding at the time so she had to ride along with the boys. Kathryn reported that she loves riding her bike and likes nothing better than to be out with her friends having fun.
When asked about her best experiences on the bike Kathryn reflected on the many special friendships she has made over the years and the fun times with friends as some of the best times. Kathryn also talked about setting and achieving her own goals with her racing and to getting to a place where she feels at one with her bike.
On thinking about her worst experience, Kathryn talked about the notorious 2009 Byford senior state round which saw much of the field getting stuck in the mud around the track. Pretty sure a lot of other riders would be able to identify with the day at Byford!!
Kathryn always helps out other ladies when she is at the track and a message that she would like to pass on to those who are just starting out in the sport would be:
“ to give it a go, to try not to race others but to set your own goals, try working on small things and getting better lap time each time you ride, but make sure you give it a go!”
Joy Sharpe
Joy and her father are a regular site at the motocross tracks in WA and have been for many years. Joy has told us that she started riding a pee wee 50 when she was just 3 ½ years old and loves it as much today as she did way back then. Joy has been supported
by her dedicated father, her number one sponsor, more affectionately known as ‘papa smurf’ for all of her motocross years, he has been there through rain, mud and shine to support his daughter and continues on today with the recent picture taken at the inaugural Women’s interclub at BSA in November 2014.
Joy told us that she has had so many great experiences during her riding career that it was hard to narrow down to just a few but said that she just loves riding ‘Nobles’ in the mud, she loves the socialising with the girls on the day and getting to know new people with similar passions and have to throw in there, Joy said sometimes beating the boys is a bit rewarding as well.
Joy affectionately remembered a time when she was very young and competed in the KTM Challenge at Wanneroo Junior MX Club where she said she was the only girl amongst all the boys. Joy said it's great to see so many girls starting to have a ride and enjoy the sport as much as she does and she is looking forward to the 2016 Women’s Championship and more events such as the Women’s interclub at Noble Fall where the women were able to have a fun day out with like minded people.
Joy was asked about some of her worst experiences in the sport, given she has been riding for a while, we thought 
there must have been one or two. Joy had a bit of a giggle at this and told us about a time when she had a fall at Chidlow junior mx track, did a ‘face plant’ which resulted in two black eyes and an imprint of her goggle shape in her face. More seriously though, Joy remembers only a few years ago, the first snr State Round at Kalgoorlie where she snapped an Achilles tendon which caused her to be out of the sport for 12 months. Lucky Joy had made a complete recovery and is able to continue in the sport she loves.
Some words of advice from Joy to any women or girls out there is to just “get out and give it a go”.
Tiarna Hansen
What an exciting new young rider coming into the sport of women’s motocross in WA! 15 yo Tiarna hails from the North West town of Tom Price where she started to compete in the Nth West MX rounds up there.
Tiarna told us that she has only been riding for 1 ½ years, it has taken her that long to convince her family to let her have a go. Tiarna affectionately recalled having a ride on a pee wee 50 when she was little and then asking Santa and then her dad for a motorbike every year until her dad finally gave in and purchased an 85 cc 2st for her, and she hasn’t looked back since then.
Tiarna has traveled to the Nth West rounds where she competed in two classes with success in the 85 class taking the No 1 spot on the podium and also a third position in the 125cc class, both open classes to boys and girls. What a great achievement in her first full year of racing!! Tiarna told us her favourite track is Broome mx club, she loves the loamy surface there.
After hearing about the inaugural Women’s interclub event at the BSA club at Noble Falls, Tiarna and her dad made the decision
to travel down from Tom Price to be a part of this exciting event. This was the first time Tiarna had ridden in Perth and she certainly impressed all at the track with many asking ‘who was this new junior at the event who WA winning all the races?’. Tiarna finished the day with three wins from three to take out first place in the girls 85/125/250 class. Tiarna wanted to thank all her sponsors who helped her to be able to come down and be a part of the event Pilbara Maid 4 U, Roadies, Funnel web filters, Pure Mechanical, Tom Price bikes, SRT Graphics, we are sure they were all proud of their rider.
Tiarna has not had many bad experiences, but recalls an incident at Broome Mx track going over the woops section where she fell and ended up with a broken tail bone.
Tiarna plans to continue to come down to Perth to compete in the 2016 Girls state rounds as well as attend a few more events so that she can continue to grow as a competitor. Tiarna’s goals are to be able to forge a career in the industry. We are sure the way she has hit the sport in such an impressive style, it wont take long for that to happen. Any sponsors out there looking for something exciting need to get on board, women’s sport is growing so much in WA, this is a chance to have your product associated with a such a great new competitor.
Final inspirational comments from Tiarna:
“Dont let the fear of falling keep you from riding” ........great stuff Tiarna.
Coming from an enduro background, supermoto seemed like an exciting, thrill seeking yet unattainable moto sport to try. I'd watched from the sidelines and cheered on friends, but never thought I'd get the chance myself. With the 2017 Supermoto Nationals fast approaching, some very generous birthday gifts and friends giving up their weekends, my enduro bike was converted into a supermoto bike.
Practice night at the Wanneroo International Kart Way on the 16th of November was my first time I would test my bike out and see the track Nationals would be held at that coming weekend. The night went well and I got a feel for the slick tyres and of the corners and speed I would need to compete. The dirt section of the track made me feel more at home, if only there had been a log or two to jump thrown in.
Saturday came and it was race day. Practices and then time trials, finishing with two races for day one. Sunday began with a warm up and then straight into racing. I felt more comfortable and confident as each race progressed. Getting better lap times every time I went out. I had some great battles on the track and had an absolute blast the whole weekend. I finished 8th outright, and with the amount of track time I had prior to Nationals, I am happy with my result.
Supermoto WA is a very inviting and encouraging club. Giving riders an opportunity to try a new sport. I had so much fun and definitely want to give it a try again in the future. The women in this sport are amazing. The speed, commitment and sportsmanship shown on and off the track was a true view into this great sport.
Thanks to Fofo Productions for the photo.
Phoebe Meads - How to get hooked on Supermoto!
Phoebe has been around the sport for a while involved with family, but only recently jumped on board to start riding in the supermoto discipline to help build the 
numbers of women in the sport and reported that she “instantly fell in love”.
Phoebe told us she started racing in 2016 after building up the courage to have a go and now attends all the racing and practice nights. Phoebe started riding on an RM 125 and has recently moved up to a CRF250. A highlight for Phoebe is competing in the Supermoto Australian women’s championships recently when they were held in Wanneroo. Phoebe said she was “ecstatic to come away in 9th position at the Nationals. I haven't been riding or racing as long as the other girls have, and happy to have been able to keep up with them longer than I could last year. They are all awesome!”
Not only is Phoebe learning her race craft she is also on the committee for Supermoto WA as the Media and Communications Officer. Phoebe gives her time to support the growth and development of the club and said she was very proud of how the recent National event came together. Phoebe acknowledged all the hard work of the whole committee and volunteers who helped out to pull off the biggest event to date.
Current Australian Women’s Supermoto Champion Jess Boujos reported that Phoebe is such an inspiration around the sport, she always has a smile on her face and is dedicated to supporting the sport and working hard both on the track and behind the scenes.
How lucky is the sport and Supermoto to have women on board like Phoebe, thanks for all that you do and we look forward to seeing you on the track in 2018!