TRAVERSE Issue 52 - February 2026 | Page 15

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message: you belong here.
That sense of belonging was amplified by a coaching lineup deliberately built around representation and relatability. Queensland’ s Jemma Wilson, a multipletime international and national enduro champion and motorsport hall of famer, led the program with a mix of authority and empathy that immediately put riders at ease. She was joined by South Australian racer and fast-rising coach Naomi Findlay; Darwin-based coach and rider Kate Raymond, whose high-energy, handson style resonated strongly with newcomers; and of course, Tasmania’ s own Kat who is a specialist in helping women overcome fear, rebuild confidence and rediscover joy on the bike.
Together, the coaches offered far more than technical instruction. Yes, riders learned body positioning, clutch control, braking, ruts, hills and obstacles— but woven through every drill was a thread of emotional reassurance: it’ s okay to drop the bike, it’ s okay to be slow, it’ s okay not to get it right the first time. For many women, that gentle permission is the key that unlocks progress. Without the pressure to perform or impress, they were free to make mistakes— and free to
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