top of page

Skate Australia High Performance Review 

Over the past two Olympic cycles there has been a significant contribution from those within the skateboarding community, and the High Performance (HP) Sport System, to establish and evolve the Australia’s Skateboarding HP Program.

 

In 2024, in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission, Skate Australia undertook a System Review of the Skateboarding HP Program.  The Review was a proactive initiative designed to guide Skate Australia in advancing and evolving the HP Program, ensuring the best support for our athletes as we look to Brisbane 2032.

 

The Review was led by experienced Independent Consultant and HP sports management specialist, Mr Mike McGovern. Skate Australia acknowledges the significant engagement and contribution from the skateboarding community and HP System Partners to inform the findings and recommendations.

 

Skate Australia accepts the findings of the Review in full and has established a HP System Review Working Group Advisory Subcommittee of the Skate Australia Board, to provide accountability and oversight of the Review’s recommendations. Working Group members are;

​

·      Chair - Andrew Collins

·      Skateboarding Representatives – Corbin Harris & Brett Margaritis

·      Skate Australia Board Representative – Jo Banning

·      AIS Representative - Caroline Brisebois 

·      State Institute Representative - Troy Ayres, QAS

·      Independent Member - Chris O'Brien 

 

Review implementation timelines have been impacted by Skate Australia senior leadership and HP Program staffing changes in late 2024.  The Working Group will develop a revised Action Plan with consideration of Skate Australia’s ability to implement recommendations within available resources.

 

Skate Australia has a commitment to transparency and ongoing communication following the Review. The Final Report is attached and brief updates will be shared following future Working Group meetings.

Skate Australia HP System Review - Final Report - 2025

Working Group Updates 

MEETING NO.3  - 6 MARCH 2025

Agenda 

  • Discuss 2025 Skate Australia HP System Review implementation/action plan and next steps.

Outcomes 

  • Working group agreed on continued importance of Skateboarding community integration and connection with Review implementation.

  • Working group highlighted the importance of meaningful language to the skateboarding community for the future recruitment of vacant roles to ensure clarity and understanding of what the role does.

  • General Manager High Performance position likely to go to market week commencing 17 March 2025 (rec 2.2).

  • High priority High Performance Operations (Logistics Manager) and Wellbeing & Engagement Manager roles will be advertised in the near future (rec 2.1) 

  • Competition Pathway Lead (Kat Williams) has been engaged to drive work on a National Competition and Event Series (rec 3.4)

  • Wellbeing & Engagement Manager (Sam Waters - Victorian Institute of Sport secondment) and High Performance Consultant (Alison Cooke - Australian Institute of Sport Consultant) have commenced on an interim basis to support the Skateboard High Performance Program and Review Implementation (rec 2.1)

  • An individual tailored athlete support model for categorised athletes is being developed (rec 1.2) 

  • An audit has commenced of Skate Australia's athlete education, risk management and child protection policies (rec 5.3)

 

MEETING NO.2  - 14 FEBRUARY 2025

​Agenda 

  • Presentation from independent reviewer, Mike McGovern.

  • Discuss 2025 Skate Australia HP System Review Report and process.

Outcomes 

​​

  • N/A

 

MEETING NO.1  - 30 JANUARY 2025

​Agenda 

  • Introduce Working Group.

  • Discuss Working Group Terms of Reference.

  • Update regarding Skate Australia high performance staffing and operations.

Outcomes 

​

  • A commitment to share the review outcomes transparently to the Skateboarding community including access to the review on the Skate Australia website.

​

​

​

​

​

bottom of page