Hackney siblings shine in the BMX racing scene

A talented trio of siblings from Hackney are making their mark on the BMX scene, with a year of top-level competition ahead.

Thomas Millar, 17, will take part in this year's World Championships in Brisbane, while Katie Millar, 14, and 10-year-old Phoebe Millar head into the season as reigning national champions in their respective age groups.

Thomas said: "I love the community, it's a great community sport. I love the adrenalin and the discipline of training to improve."

The family were recently awarded a bursary from leisure provider Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to support their development, helping to fund gym sessions and training.

The siblings train most Tuesdays at Lee Valley VeloPark in Stratford, east London – the venue used for BMX events at the London 2012 Olympics.

BMX racing only became an Olympic sport in 2008 and has seen a huge surge in popularity since then.

Team GB claimed its first medals in the discipline in Tokyo in 2021, when Peckham's Kai White won silver and Essex's Beth Shriever took gold.

Julian Allen, a coach at the track, said: "This footprint is exactly where the Olympic track was held.

"I get to see the development and the potential for kids from normal backgrounds to go and be Olympic heroes."

The siblings are highly supportive of one another and help each other learn, with Thomas saying he is incredibly proud of his sisters.

Mum Alex and Dad Andy described the trio as "strong, confident, resilient kids", which they attribute to the sport.

"You know, I think that really teaches them," Alex said. "You know, you fall off, you get back up again. It's what you do when you ride a bike."

Katie, who ranked seventh in the UEC European Championships 2023 before competing for Team GB in Copenhagen during 2025, said: "When I'm in a race, I'm completely locked in, I don't really think about what's going on, but also when I jump – it's so fun."

Phoebe, who claimed third and first place in rounds three and four at the 2025 European Cup and also raced for Team GB at the 2025 World Championships in Copenhagen, began riding BMX at about two years old – but first visited the track at just four days old.

Phoebe said: "I love following them around on tracks, to school, everywhere."

She added that her brother and sister had taught her, "I can achieve anything that I put my mind to."

Thomas placed third at the 2025 British Championships, finished fourth overall in the National Series and represented Team GB at the World Championships 2025.

All three siblings qualified for the 2026 World Championships in Brisbane, but only Thomas will travel after saving to pay for his own ticket.

He said: "I'm racing the World Championships at an amateur level later this year and hoping to step that up to elite level in the coming years.

"It's nerve-wracking already but it's going to be a great opportunity."

Previous recipients of the GLL's Sport Foundation bursary include Olympic diver Tom Daley and former world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua.

The award provides a package of financial help, free training memberships and sport‑science support to assist athletes with their development.

Applications for the next round of awards are open until 20 February.

Additional reporting by Chris Slegg

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