A newly constructed set of BMX jumps at the Tamworth skate park is a big step forward for locals and will only encourage more youngsters to give it a go too.

Also there to encourage the kids was professional freestyle team Colony BMX from Brisbane.

“I’d say for participation on a daily basis it would beat any other sport,” Colony’s Clint Millar said.

“You might have people play football on the weekend but kids are doing this seven days a week.

“And I think that’s what attracts so many people to it, there are no rules.

“You can go at your own pace and even the pro level riders can have fun with the beginners and learn off each other.”

The pro riders did have some fun with the local kids too.

They showed off their best moves and proved the sport can take kids from the local park to a much higher level.

One of the visiting pro riders, Alex Hial, is just 14.

“He’d be the youngest in the world to have his own signature frame,” Millar said.

“We can’t get to all of these things but it’s good to get out and support the grass roots level.

“It shows the kids that there are cool things you can do with it like see the rest of the country or even the world.

“I wouldn’t say they should go into it to become professional but there is an opportunity there.

“The main thing is it’s a good, healthy, positive thing to do and it keeps you out of trouble.”

The event was organised by the Tamworth Regional Council and Xtreme Cycles.

• Meanwhile, Australian teenager Sam Willoughby won the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series after claiming victory in the fourth and final round in Frejus, France.

It was the second series round win for the 2008 and 2009 Junior World Champion who also won in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in August.

But things didn’t run smoothly for the 18-year-old who finished 17th in last Friday’s time trials.

Willoughby also had a rough start in the first round on Saturday, scraping into the quarter-finals by one point. But from then on the young Australian was on fire winning every race.