Mud, sweat and cheers
ICM is proud to help the career of one of motorcycling’s top achievers, Ben Milward, and to show support for his family’s business, ‘In Chains’ motorcycling specialists. An established star of the Motocross racing scene, Ben is now giving something back to the sport by teaching both adults, and local and disadvantaged children how to ride – and how to adopt a healthy attitude towards life.
Ben has been riding since he was seven years old.
Against a backdrop of family motorcycling history, Ben has taken part in racing since the age of seven. Now 23, he is keen to pass on his vast knowledge and experience to adults and the younger generation by regularly teaching groups of children how to ride safely and competitively, whilst also offering one-to-one mentoring and coaching to a 13-year-old boy from Northern Ireland, and also a local foster child.
Along with twice-weekly teaching classes and race preparations, around once a month Ben teaches a group of 12–17 year olds from a local school for children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.
“I’ve always wanted to teach, it’s the next best thing to racing and adds another string to my bow,” explained Ben. “At college I studied Leisure and Recreation, and then started helping my friend with coaching and it took off from there. And, at the end of the day, I just really enjoy having fun with the kids – I try to make the lessons as enjoyable as possible and we have a really good time.
“Happy people learn more. I teach one technique, then the kids can go off and practise it – and towards the end of the day they’re piecing together everything that they’ve learnt and are almost fully-accomplished riders!”
It’s not only children who benefit from the sport. Adults of any age can also gain a great deal of confidence from motorcycling by learning the different techniques and rules, and Ben often teaches groups of work colleagues on corporate days out – a great team-building experience.
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