For parents of elite student-athletes, life is a constant, high-speed balancing act. The training sessions, the coaching, the gym work, and the travel schedules often compete directly with a standard school timetable.

Too often, families feel like they have to compromise either their child’s athletic dreams or their academic progress.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Meet Nico Verhoeven. At just 13 years old (having celebrated his birthday this June while training in the Netherlands), Nico is already a dominant force in international junior motocross. He is also a full-time student at Crimson Global Academy (CGA) based in Cambridge. Nico is proving that with the right support system, young athletes can achieve academic excellence without hitting the brakes on their sporting careers.

Watch Nico’s recent feature on Seven Sharp to see him in action on the track and hear more about his journey.

A World-Class Schedule: From New Zealand to the World Stage

If you want an idea of what it takes to compete at Nico’s level, just look at his calendar. He has traveled extensively since 2024, and there has been a whirlwind of local and international podium finishes.

Right now, Nico is overseas preparing for the FIM World Junior Motocross Championships in the Czech Republic next month.

His track record is nothing short of extraordinary. Nico’s recent achievements include:

• 2026 Freestone Spring Nationals (Texas, USA): Clean sweep with five 1st-place finishes across Supercross (SX) and Motocross (MX) 85cc and Mini Senior divisions.
• 2026 Spring a Ding (Texas, USA): 1st Place SX 85cc (9-12 yrs) & 3rd Place SX Open.
• Career Highlights: 4-time New Zealand Junior National Champion, 2023 Australian Junior Champion, 2023 American Amateur National Champion, and 2024 Vice World Champion in the Netherlands.

To maintain this elite edge, Nico rides 3 to 4 times a week and hits the gym twice a week for mobility and strength training. When you factor in travel, coaching sessions, and bike maintenance, a standard school day simply wouldn’t fit.

School That Moves With You

Nico joined CGA in 2024, and the shift seamlessly transformed how his family manages his demanding routine. For any dedicated young athlete, squeezing a packed weekly schedule of intense training sessions, coaching, gym work, and travel for races into a standard school timetable can be a massive challenge.

At CGA, the Verhoeven family found a school that adapts to their family needs.

“The teachers are extremely accommodating,” Nico’s parents share. “If we are travelling to races and cannot do the lesson, we just reschedule it for the following week. We have worked with Melissa from South Africa for the past two years, and she has been super supportive and accommodating with Nico’s schedule.”

This flexibility works beautifully both ways. Because CGA operates online, learning isn’t locked into standard calendar constraints. When Nico is home in January, he chooses to keep up with his lessons to get ahead, giving him the freedom to take time off later in the year when a big race weekend or an intensive training block demands his full focus.

Building Foundations for a Professional and Entrepreneurial Future

Nico’s ambitions don’t stop at the finish line. While he aims to build a professional motocross career in America, he is also laying down strong foundations for life beyond the track.

Even at 13, Nico is showing a sharp entrepreneurial spark. He already buys and sells gear and has launched a mini-business designing, 3D modelling, and selling custom number plates. Thanks to CGA’s four-day school week, Nico has the dedicated time outside of the classroom and the track to focus directly on growing his business. Through this personalised learning model, he can lean into a wide variety of subjects that fuel these real-world passions—whether that's diving into business, design, or digital technologies at a pace that fits his lifestyle.

By continuing with CGA into his high school years, Nico is ensuring his business and academic mind remains just as sharp as his racing instincts. CGA’s flexible curriculum doesn't just adapt to his schedule; it allows him to tailor his education to his specific strengths. This rigorous international qualification framework keeps doors wide open for university and future business ventures down the road, giving him the ultimate toolkit for success both on and off the track.

Nico’s Advice to Other Young Athletes

Making the switch to online schooling can feel like a big step for parents. But for the athletes themselves, the benefits are clear. When asked what advice he would give to another young sportsman or sportswoman considering making the move to CGA, Nico’s answer is simple:

“I’d say go for it. CGA gives me the flexibility to chase my motocross goals while keeping up with my education.”