Skateboarding secures Olympic standard skatepark in Wollongong

Australia’s future Olympic skateboarding champions will have an elite venue in Wollongong thanks to an announcement of a new Olympic standard skatepark. 

Released in the finalised Warrawong Parklands Master Plan announced by the Minns Labor Government, the Olympic quality skatepark represents a real game changer for athletes and the skate community.

Skate Australia CEO Alex Anasson welcomed the announcement saying it was a watershed moment for the organisation. 

“This is an exciting moment for Skateboarding and skate sports in Australia,” Ms Anasson said. 

“This is great for the future of our sports, both for our elite athletes and our recreational skateboarding and skating community. 

“This new venue will help us attract International events and athletes, which will allow our athletes to train at home and allow them to compete against the world’s best on home soil. 

“We have had a lot of success on a global stage, this announcement will help us grow and continue to build on the momentum as we lead into the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”

Chair of the Board, Miles Stewart OAM OLY acknowledges that projects like this are key to the long-term success of skate sports.

“This announcement is transformative for the sport to give our athletes an opportunity to train and compete at home on a world-class facility,” Mr Stewart OAM OLY said. 

“Skate Australia is thankful to the NSW Government in particular, Minister Paul Scully, New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Wollongong City Council for the support and vision in the project and we look forward to continuing to work with them as the project develops.”

Anasson noted the area’s influence on sports like skateboarding. 

“Athletes like Olympian Kieran Woolley, grew up in the area,” Ms Anasson said. 

“This region has shown pedigree in developing talent and this will allow us to accelerate the growth of the sport. 

“It will help develop the next pipeline of Australian talent to develop more athletes and hopefully create more gold medal opportunities. It will also give us an opportunity to keep our athletes in Australia-which we know is beneficial for their wellbeing and development. 

“It provides an opportunity to see skateboarding as a legitimate sport within the Olympic movement and be able to give athletes an opportunity to train where champions are made.”