“My Chinese cultural heritage and our family is very important me,” says BSSC Year 12 student, Haylee Jack.

“I keep close ties with our extended family who encourage me to aim for great sporting achievements—but also to keep maturing as a person and thinking about a future beyond competing.”

Focused on growing all aspects of herself as a person has been very satisfying for Haylee as she looks back over her own development.

Still, when participation in sport is a strong family value, it’s not surprising to hear that Haylee is also gearing up for a future building on her stellar career in cycling.

It really all began one day travelling to a baseball match when Haylee was eight and she noticed the BMX track. She asked her dad if she could have a go sometime. That BMX track ‘have-a-go’ turned into much more. She just loved BMX and was very good at it.

Then, at eleven, she attended a track cycling trial run with J Cycle—Bendigo District Cycling Club.

Local coach and Bendigo jeweller, Noel Sens, evaluated Haylee as ready to race.

“People generally spend a whole season building skills and experience before racing. I needed three races to qualify for club championship events.

“I think racing is like an instinct and I ended up doing six races.”

At 14, Haylee won every cycling track event for her age in Victoria.

She’s very grateful to Noel Sens and says, “I wouldn’t be where I am—nor would the club—without Noel. He sponsors races and makes many of the prizes.

“Rob Burns is another coach important to me as a junior.”

A race earlier this year gave Haylee the chance to show Rob—who was in the crowd—how she’s taken on everything he taught her.

Her coaches have also been her public speaking and media trainers.

In April Haylee competed in the 2024 National Championships and was invited to an Australian training camp for World’s in July.

However, aware that life is not just about being a successful athlete, she decided 2024 was not the best year to aim for world championships.

“There’s plenty of time for future international competition, but there are only two years in my life where I can take the opportunities BSSC offers. I decided not to go.”

Haylee has found BSSC a very welcoming college and says it’s definitely one of the best schools she’s attended.

She’s enjoyed all her subjects and says her teachers have done a great job allowing her to incorporate cycling commitments into her academic program.

“My teachers and other students are so happy to help, and it was a big lesson for me to learn to ask for that help so I could make the most of my time here.”

Haylee feels the opportunities offered by BSSC mean every student can make the most of senior. Her sporting experience opened her eyes to the importance of grabbing opportunities when they arise.

“Getting your priorities clear and being discerning about what you take on requires you to find a happy balance.”

As well as cycling and school, Haylee works part-time at Moroni’s Bike Shop and enjoys photography in her—rare—spare time. She loved singing in primary school and still finds it extremely soothing.

When it comes to study, Haylee always has music playing through headphones.

Thanks to sport, Haylee brought practical insight to her PE and Outdoor Education subjects and has strengthened her capacity for focus and endurance.

“Outdoor Education trips like the Glenelg River canoe trip and cross-country skiing have allowed me to see the environment with a different view—to learn about surviving the outdoors whatever the temperature, weather or terrain.”

Preferring to get things out of the way ASAP, and able to keep her concentration for a couple of hours at a time, Haylee brings full focus to practice exams, rereading her notes, and often gets friends to quiz her.

Her future is aimed at a career in sport—cycling offers long-term pathways from athlete through to coaching, or support roles such as a personal trainer.

“I love the idea of being able to pass on advice I’ve gained that is grounded in real-life experience, and remember being told: ‘Never forget where you came from’.

“It reminds me that without the support I’ve enjoyed, I wouldn’t have achieved all I have.”

Haylee has already completed coaching training so she can help Noel with the junior cyclists.

“One of the young female riders had a bad accident and it was very satisfying to be a part of keeping her in the sport,” she says. “We replaced her badly damaged gear and six months later, when she was up to getting back on her bike, I offered to work alongside her, gradually rebuilding her confidence.

“Mentoring helps individual cyclists, keeps the club growing, and it’s opened my eyes to what goes on behind the scenes.”

Haylee says women leave cycling because there is not enough assistance or suitable pathways allowing them to progress. It’s also expensive.

This said, Haylee has found training with the boys has really pushed her; “While you probably won’t win, you can learn so much.

“If I could go back and talk with my twelve-year-old self I would say, ‘make the most of every opportunity you’re offered’.

“I hope when I’m 30, I can look back and appreciate how much I achieved in such a short time.”