NZMTB Sharing the Stoke | Riding for Equality: Amelia Twiss’ Mission for Homeschooled Athletes

In this powerful and inspiring episode of MTB: Sharing the Stoke, host Jamie sits down with 13-year-old mountain biker Amelia Twist and her mum Toni to talk about a ride that’s about so much more than just bikes.

Amelia, a passionate Mountain Bike rider from Tauranga, is on a mission to challenge New Zealand’s outdated school sport rules that exclude homeschooled students from receiving medals or joining teams in School Sport NZ events. Despite being able to race, homeschooled athletes are denied the same recognition as their peers—a rule that affects over 4,000 students nationwide.

To fight this injustice, Amelia and fellow homeschooler George are planning a 730–800km winter bikepacking mission from Cambridge to Wellington, where they'll deliver a petition directly to Parliament. The goal? To ride for change and raise awareness for the overlooked voices of homeschool athletes.

We dive deep into Amelia’s riding background, her inspiration from bikepacking legend Lael Wilcox, and the logistics behind this bold midwinter adventure. Amelia shares the behind-the-scenes challenges of preparing for a long-distance ride in harsh conditions, from gear needs to legal action—yes, there’s a judicial review in motion, and support is growing fast.

Whether you're a rider, a parent, an advocate, or just love stories about young people making big moves, this episode will get you fired up. Amelia and George aren’t just pedaling for podiums—they’re pushing for fairness, inclusion, and the right to compete.

🔗 Follow their journey: studentsport.nz
📣 Support the cause: Sign the petition and spread the word
📸 Instagram updates: @studentsportnz

🎧 Tune in for:

• Amelia’s favourite Rotorua trails & races

• The injustice behind School Sport NZ's medal ban

• Winter route planning from Cambridge to Parliament

• How you can join the ride or support the cause

This isn’t just a ride. It’s a movement. Don’t miss it.