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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;

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·      Chair - Andrew Collins

·      Skate Australia Board Member Representative - Tim Coghlan

·      Skateboarding Representatives - Corbin Harris & Brett Margaritis

·      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.6 -  10 July 2025

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Agenda

  • HP System Review Action Plan update 

  • Age Criteria Review (recc. 5.3) | review of draft report & discussion about communication  

  • Domestic Competition Series / Pathways competitions

  • High Performance Committee establishment and Terms of Reference

  • Rome & Ostia WSK Pro Tour event reporting

 

 

Outcomes

  • The Working Group discussed the July 2025 update to the Action Plan (that details status across Review recommendations)

  • The draft report of the Age Criteria Review was shared with the Working Group for feedback and input prior to report finalisation. The final report will be presented to the Skate Australia Board for review and endorsement (rec 5.3)   

  • Reports from the June 2025 Pathways contests were considered by the Working Group (rec 3.4)

  • The Working Group reviewed a draft Terms of Reference for a High Performance Committee that would provide strategic oversight and support for the Skateboard High Performance Program, streamlining responsibilities such as policy approval and selection processes. A revised Terms of Reference, incorporating Working Gourp feedback will be presented to the August Board meeting (rec 2.1)​

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​MEETING NO.5 - 15 MAY 2025

Agenda

  • Domestic Competition Series

  • Age Criteria Review

  • High Performance Committee

  • Recruitment update

 

Outcomes

  • A Domestic Competition Series is being developed to improve talent identification through sanctioned events, a standardised leaderboard, enhanced judging and selection processes, and by building relationships with existing event providers, with aims to expand and professionalise competitions towards 2026 and beyond (rec 3.4).

  • The Working Group discussed the Age Criteria Review and its consultation process, which will involve engaging the skateboard community through interviews with SBP parents, athletes, coaches and skateboard industry experts. The final report due to the Skate Australia Board in July 2025.

  • The Working Group discussed the transition of the Working Group (overseeing the review) towards a High Performance Committee to provide strategic oversight and support for the Skateboard High Performance Program, streamlining responsibilities such as policy approval and selection processes, with terms and timing to be discussed at the next Skate Australia Board meeting.

  • The Working Group discussed progress on appointing the General Manager High Performance and ongoing commitment to finding the right Technical Lead role(s) for Park and Street (rec 2.2).  

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MEETING NO.4 - 10 APRIL 2025

Agenda

  • Proposed HP Structure

  • Athlete Support /Competition Model

  • Recruitment update

  • Information session for athletes, SBP parents and NIN Network

 

Outcomes 

  • The Working Group discussed the a draft Skateboard Program High Performance Structure which will be finalised once incoming CEO and General Manager High Performance roles are finalised (rec 2.1)

  • The Working Group discussed the a proposed athlete support/competition support model (rec 1.2).

  • The Skate Australia CEO role is close to finalisation, and an announcement is expected soon.

  • Interviews are underway for the General Manager High Performance (rec 2.2).

  • An information session for athletes, parents and the Institute Network has been organised to discuss selection processes for Ostia and Rome and a one off pathways competition in June 2025. 

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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 

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  • 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 

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

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