Karen Doyle awarded Life membership

Karen Doyle leaves a lasting legacy across Australian and international skate sports after 12 years on the Skate Australia Board, including six years as President.

Karen’s contribution to skate sports has spanned five decades, taking her from the speed skating track in Brisbane to the highest levels of leadership in Australian and international sport.

As she prepares to step down from the Skate Australia Board after reaching her maximum term, Karen leaves behind a legacy built on service, technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to the development of skate sports.

Karen joined the Skate Australia Board in 2015, serving as President from 2016 to 2022 before continuing as a Director. Across her 12 years on the Board, she has helped guide the organisation through significant periods of change, while maintaining a strong connection to the volunteers, officials and communities who underpin the sport.

Her influence, however, extends well beyond the boardroom and Skate Australia Chair Miles Stewart paid tribute to Karen’s legacy in the sport. 

“I’ve known Karen for a long time, going back to my days as a speed skater, and I’ve seen first-hand the commitment she has shown to skating over many years,” he said. 

“Her contribution to the sport has been significant, not just through the leadership roles she has held, but through the time, energy and passion she has invested in helping skating grow. 

“Twelve years on the Board, including as President, is an extraordinary commitment, and her influence on the sport will continue well beyond her time on the Board.”

Karen's skate journey began in 1976, when she took to the track as a speed skater, competing at local, state and national championships before developing a passion for officiating and the education of sports officials.

She achieved her National Referee Accreditation in 1978 and International Accreditation in 1981, going on to officiate at numerous World Speed and Oceania Championships and represent Australia on the international stage.

That commitment to developing the sport's officials became a defining feature of her career.

Karen served as Speed Vice President of Skate Queensland from 1992 to 1994 before taking on the role of Chairperson of Skate Australia's Speed Technical Committee from 1994 to 2000.

In 2010, she returned to lead the national Speed Officials Committee, a position she held for 14 years. Throughout her career, she has also written accreditation and education programs, helping develop the knowledge and capabilities of officials across the sport.

Since 2024, Karen has continued to contribute as a member of Skate Australia's Speed Technical Committee, demonstrating that her commitment to the sport has never been limited to a single role.

Karen's presidency coincided with a transformative period for skate sports, particularly the emergence of skateboarding on the Olympic stage.

With skateboarding making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, held in 2021, Skate Australia entered a new phase in the development of its high-performance program.

Skate Australia CEO Alex Anasson also acknowledged the support and guidance that Karen has provided. 

“Karen’s contribution to Skate Australia is measured not only in her 12 years on the Board and her time as President, but also in the knowledge she has shared, the people she has supported and the leadership she has provided,” Anasson said. 

“Personally, she has been incredibly generous with her time since I commenced as CEO, helping me build my understanding of all our disciplines. Her commitment to skating and the people involved in it has been clear to me from day one, and I thank her for everything she has given to the sport.”

As President, Karen publicly acknowledged the work of the Skateboard 2020 Commission, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australian Olympic Committee and the wider sporting network in preparing Australian athletes for the Games.

Australia's Olympic debut marked a significant milestone for skateboarding and created new opportunities to grow the sport's profile, pathways and performance programs.

Karen's leadership during this period was supported by her deep understanding of the wider skate sports community and the importance of maintaining connections between grassroots participation, technical development and elite performance.

Her experience across the sport's many disciplines also provided valuable insight as Skate Australia continued to support its diverse community.

Taking Australian experience to the world

Karen's influence has extended well beyond Australia's borders.

Appointed World Skate Oceania Commissioner in 2019, she took on a greater international leadership role when elected First Vice President of World Skate in 2021 for the Paris Olympic cycle.

She was re-elected to the position in 2024 for the Los Angeles Olympic cycle, reinforcing her standing within the international federation.

As a senior member of World Skate's leadership, Karen has represented the interests of Oceania while contributing to the international governance of a federation encompassing a diverse range of skate sports and disciplines.

A lasting contribution

While Karen's leadership positions are significant milestones, her contribution is perhaps best measured by the breadth and longevity of her service.

From officiating at competitions and educating officials to chairing technical committees, leading Skate Australia and representing Oceania internationally, her career reflects a sustained commitment to helping skate sports develop at every level.

Her retirement from the Skate Australia Board marks the conclusion of 12 years in its governance, but not the end of a relationship with the sport that began more than 50 years ago.

Skate Australia thanks Karen for her outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the organisation and the wider skate sports community.

Skate Australia is proud to recognise Karen's exceptional contribution with Life Membership, acknowledging her decades of service and lasting impact on the sport.

2026 AGM Updates: 

• Miles Stewart OAM OLY was elected by the Board for a second year as Chair of the Board.

• Lorelle Chittick was elected as a Director of the Board for a term of three years.

• Katrina Harnwell and Neville D'Costa were both appointed by the Board for two-year terms.