Gold Coast Schools, Rocky Trail Academy is coming back to Nerang and its Graduation Cup time!!
The Nerang event features the official QLD Schools Graduation Cup with an additional, optional teams classification. Scroll down to the Event Guide to nominate you team NOW! The general classification still offers the individual results per student.
This race is for high school students, fostering a love for cycling in a fun and friendly environment. Experience the thrill of competition with 3 timed stages and 5 runs per track to find your fastest time per track.
The three distinct tracks catering to different abilities, riders can find their flow and challenge themselves at their own pace. With a focus on endurance, speed, and technical skills, there’s a track for everyone – the Academy is the perfect stepping stone into the world of mountain biking.
Riders compete for grade-based category podium positions for girls and boys – Year 7+8 (Junior), Year 9+10 (Intermediate) and Year 11+12 (Senior). Racers also earn points for their school, competing for the Champion School title. The flexible format, with no strict start orders, allows for a relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Held on Fridays, these events not only provide exciting racing experiences but also engage youth in healthy outdoor recreation. Rocky Trail ensures a smooth and enjoyable event for everyone, making it easy for schools to participate.
Rocky Trail understands the needs of schools, teachers, and parents. Our team of experienced professionals ensures a smooth and well-organised event, making it easy for educators to plan and for students to simply enjoy the ride.
Join us for a day of friendly competition, school spirit, and creating memories together.
New to Academy racing, check out the Event Guide for everything you need to know. Jump on our Venue Guide for location and parking info. Hit the Stages Guide for info on all the tracks.
Race For Free in Queensland!
This year, we are officially a registered provider for the Queensland Government’s Play On! Sports Voucher program, making it easier than ever for QLD students to hit the trails at our local events.
date:
time:
9:00am-1:30pm
This event is proudly supported by these epic partners:
Destination Gold Coast!
As if you need an excuse for a weekend away on the Goldy with your mates! Hit the world class trails with us, then do some retail therapy or relax poolside!!
Tracks Guide
Shimano Track is the flowy Casuarina Adventure Loop Descent. 1.6km long and dropping 80m.
Bomber is the pedal using the “Rocky Horror” from near the top of the “Casuarina Adventure Climb” before dropping into the top section of “Pete’s” to finish on the Coolibah fire Break. 1.4km long
The speed test will be Sendy. Running “Pete’s” from the “Coolibah fire Break” into the “Comm Games 3” descent. 1.8km and dropping 75m
Got a question, check out our FAQ’s or send us a message on the chat at the bottom of the page
Event Guide
Everything you need to know!
How to Enter students into the team classification:
BEFORE you fill out the nomination form, students interested in participating in the teams competition will need to register online through the designated registration platform and advise who their school team manager is. Students are welcome to attend independently as well; this is an additional classification and the event will still show the classic Rocky Trail Academy Results for individual riders IN ADDITION to the team classification results. Riders who are nominated in this form in the correct team configuration (see below), will show up in the Graduation Cup Team classification.
Team Manager Nomination:
Each school will have a designated team manager who will coordinate the registration process. The team manager, typically a teacher or faculty member, will gather the necessary information from the students and complete the team nomination process on their behalf.
Team Nomination:
The School team manager is responsible for nominating the final team in this Form.
- Each male team will consist of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 riders.
- Each female team will consist of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 riders.
- This flexible team size allows schools to assemble teams based on the available riders and ensures that both male and female teams have an appropriate number of members.
Submission Deadline:
- Submit the team nomination before the close of business on the 4th of September, as specified in the competition guidelines.
- Be mindful of the deadline to secure your team’s participation in the competition.
Once the team nomination is successfully submitted, monitor the online rider list to ensure team listing is correct.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are critical to the success of the event so please make sure you’ve signed up! Parent or teacher volunteers are required across both days and roles include bike based and course marshalling.
Bring a Bike or chair, jumper and sunscreen, wear walking shoes and prepare a loud cheering voice to encourage the kids out on track. Come and have a great day in the outdoors!
We need 5-6 marshal spots for each time slot (9am until 10.30, 10:30 to Midday, Midday to 1.30pm)
Essential Links
- Academy Event Guide
- Academy Rules
- Photo Links
- Volunteer
- Download Teachers Guide
Categories
- Primary – Year 5 & 6 (selected events)
- Juniors – Years 7 or 8
- Intermediate – Years 9 or 10
- Seniors – Years 11 or 12
Entry Fee
- Entry is $60.00 per student
- Open to all school students.
- Entry fee includes all rider photos ( via link to download post-event)
- Group student registration is available – contact jo@rockytrailentertainment.com to arrange
Bathed in sunshine from the ocean to the hinterland, the Gold Coast is Australia’s best known and loved beachside city. Only 12km from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Nerang National Park is home of one of the trail networks of the Gold Coast MTB Club.
The Schedule
The following is the standard schedule.
All participants must adhere to the 8:50 AM briefing time.
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Event Village & Registration Open | |
| 8:50 AM | Compulsory Rider Briefing | The safety code word will be announced here. |
| 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Race Runs | Timed runs begin across the three stages. |
| 1:30 PM | Last Race Run | All timed runs must be completed. |
| 1:45 PM | Podium Presentations* | Individual and Overall Champion School awards. |
The following schedule applies to both 1 & 2 day events.
The Event Hub and Parking will be located on in the Gold Coast Cycle Centre.
Vehicles will access from Hope St.
Parking will be around the edge of the Crit Track and, In the scout precinct.
Marshals will be on hand to assist with parking.
Event Services
- Registration Tent with live timing, merch and race info
- Music and live race updates
- Toilets available on site
- Professional First Aid
- Neutral bike technical support will be provided by Astroboyracer
We will have a coffee and food van on site throughout the event to keep you suitably fed and caffeinated!
Coffee vendor – Groupset Coffee will be on site serving the best coffee there is!
BBQ hosted by the Nerang High School Dirt Monkey program – Bacon and Egg rolls to start the day before loading up burgers and sanga sandwiches
