Meet the Na Millenni-Gael who is pedal to the metal
MEET Mia Paton: one of the UK’s best BMX racers – and a fluent Gaelic speaker.
At 20 years old, Mia is one of the subjects from a new four-part series on BBC Alba that looks at the lives of some of Glasgow’s young generation of Gaelic-speakers.
Following seven young people across six months in Glasgow, the series follows them through significant lifechanging events such as having a baby or learning to drive.
For Mia, the defining event was starting her journey to the British National BMX racing championships after a winter of rest and relaxation – particularly to reinstate her place in the top 10 from 13th.
“I started BMX racing because my dad used to do BMX racing when he was younger.
“When I was about 11, my mum’s friends was the coach at the local track. I went down and gave it a go and I’ve been racing ever since.”
BMX racing has been a huge part of Mia’s life – after following in her fathers footsteps, she coaches other children in Glasgow in BMX racing.
“I am working as a costume trainee for TV, and I’ve already completed two years at college doing sports science as well. During the week I coach BMXing on the tracks.
“When I started I did national races, some in Scotland and England with highly talented riders all over the UK.
“I competed every year in Scotland, and did the world championships in 2012.
“I took a break when I was 16 to do my exams and schoolwork and after it I came back and started with national races again.
“I got on an international team, based on the UK, and I competed for two years with them too.”
Although Glasgow is lucky to boast two large and professional grade cycle tracks – the Western Titans BMX track in Clydebank and the professional track in Knightswood, Mia says that more could be done to encourage young people into the sport – in particular, young women.
“Not many girls take part in BMX racing.
“As I’ve got older, I’ve noticed that the numbers are dropping.”
“It is quite a male dominated, and it can be quite unusual to be an older girl that is still doing a sport that’s dangerous and extreme dangerous. Sometimes I think I’m doing it just to show the boys that I’m still doing it.”
When it comes to gender in BMX racing, Mia believes that more support should be provided to women who are continuing to ride.
“I don’t know if its due to other commitments outside the sport.
“Girls don’t get enough support with international riders, I think.
“Guys are encouraged more into the sport, and they’re doing well. They’re still getting the same amounts of coaching, but there isn’t a lot of the same amounts of encouragement.”
For Mia, who has spoken Gaelic all her life after being educated at the Glasgow Gaelic School and Nursery, taking part in the BBC Alba series is the perfect opportunity to show other girls like her the possibilities for women in BMX racing.
“I started doing interviews to support the riders in the BMX Championships, and I did an interview for BBC Alba then.
“I speak it with my sister, mostly. Most of my friends don’t speak Gaelic – there is the worry that it will slowly die out. It’s quite hard.
“I hope it doesn’t, I’m glad that it’s back on the rise again. It could be a lot bigger than it is.”
• Na Millenni-Gaels airs on BBC Alba tonight at 10pm.