Skating Towards Equality – Australian Skateboarding League 2018

YMCA is proud to announce the Australian Skateboarding League National Final will have equal prize money for riders of all genders.

The YMCA Australian Skateboarding League takes place over six states, showcasing some of highest levels of amateur skateboarding the country has to offer. The 2018 League is currently underway, with QLD, SA, TAS, NSW and VIC events all happening within the next month. The National Final will be held over Friday March 9th & Saturday March 10th, during the Melbourne Moomba Festival at Riverslide Skate Park, and will feature many of Australia’s top riders – including Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) endorsed rider, Hayley Wilson. “I’ve been doing YMCA skate competitions for 8 years, if it wasn’t for these events kids and teens, like myself, wouldn’t keep going,” – Hayley Wilson.

Open riders will be competing for a cash pool of $10,000:

*1st Place Female – $3000*

*1st Place Male – $3000*

*2nd Place Female – $1500*

*2nd Place Male – $1500*

*3rd Place Female – $500*

*3rd Place Male – $500*

“We want to make sure the talents and contribution of female skaters is valued just as much as male so this was an easy decision to make”. Nick Buskens, National Program & Event Manager.

The YMCA are committed to facilitating equal access to, and empowerment of women in skateboarding, a traditionally male dominated activity. Mr Buskens said the YMCA, Victorian Skateboarding Association, and Melbourne City Council have a long-standing goal to increase female participation in the sport.

Mr Buskens said skating is an avenue to help empower, encourage recreation, and inspire young people to be healthier, happier and better connected to their community. “We have a big goal to increase female participation and make the sport more accessible for female skaters. In the past 12 months we have seen an increase in female participation by 22 per cent, which is amazing.”

Check out all the upcoming National Qualifier Events for the National Final here:

Sat 10th Feb – SA National Qualifier: Temporary City Park https://www.facebook.com/events/138168186882122/

Sun 11th Feb – QLD National Qualifier: Bracken Ridge Skate Park https://www.facebook.com/events/1277341912371774/

Sat 24th Feb – TAS National Qualifier: Kangaroo Bay (Rosny) Skate Park https://www.facebook.com/events/932280990260221/

Sun 25th Feb – NSW National Qualifier: Bato Yard Skate Park https://www.facebook.com/events/344908395975999/

Sat 3rd March – VIC National Qualifier: Prahran Skate Park https://www.facebook.com/events/1909329819378902/ Friday 9 & Saturday 10 March – National Final: Riverslide Skatepark https://www.facebook.com/events/322063891639490/

Event partners: Brisbane City Council, Adelaide City Council, Clarence City Council, Central Coast Council, City of Stonnington, City of Darwin, City of Melbourne, Riverslide Skate Park, YMCA Victoria, YMCA QLD, YMCA SA, YMCA NSW, YMCA Hobart, YMCA of the Top End, The Boardr, Skate Australia, Victorian Skateboarding Association, Skateboarding NT.

Sponsors: Nike, Element, OCD Skate Shop, Pro-Tec, Skullcandy, Goliath.

Contact: [email protected]

Pictured (Haley Wilson)

Photo Credit: Zorah Olivia