BMX has long been a passion in Shania Rawson's family – but everyone is even more focussed on success since brother Kurt Pickard was named in the Olympic team.

'It's having a big effect on Shania now, she wants to be there now too. The whole thing is really motivating for all of us,” says Shania's dad Ash Rawson.

Jakob Millen-Rawson, 11 and Shania Rawson, 13, in their backyard.

Shania, 13, is already on her own track to success after recently qualifying for the BMX World Championships in Auckland July.

Her place was secured after taking second place at the national championships, following her first placing at last year's North Island age-group titles.

Shania began going to BMX races as a baby to watch Kurt and Ash race. Ash says it was only natural for Shania to start riding at age four.

Though the next major competition – the North Island titles – is not until October, training for a BMX rider never really stops. In the off season they work on maintaining their fitness.

Ash encourages Shania to participate in other sports to help her stay in shape and mix things up. She is currently playing soccer to keep her active and fit. They still do a bit of riding on the weekends to work on specific techniques and avoid getting out of practice.

Ash says Shania is specifically working on her jumps. She knows that in order to take her riding to the next level she must be able to handle big jumps. Otherwise she will have to slow down when coming up to a jump.

'She needs to learn to let go of the brakes and fly.”

Ash is proud of the way his children are excelling in the sport.

'It's like a dream come true.”

BMX riding is a family activity for Shania, Ash and Kurt and talent seems to run in the family. Ash has eight national titles and has placed in the top three in the world two times, and Kurt has recently been selected for the Olympic BMX team.

They started riding when Ash took five-year-old Kurt to the track to get him involved in a sport that Ash saw value in. When Kurt started riding, Ash did a well.

'I wasn't just going to watch, so I took it up as well,” Ash says.

Sixteen years later they are a major part of the Tauranga BMX Club. Ash is a coach and together he and Kurt designed the club's track. Ash says the track is international standard. They brought home ideas from the six World Championships they have attended and used them when designing the Tauranga track.

Ash says Shania's younger brother Jakob, 11, is riding well and his time is coming.

'It's just a matter of time. Jakob will definitely be there.”