20.11.06



RE: SKATEBOARDING AUSTRAIA FUNDING INFORMATION


Skateboarding Australia, (SbA) is a subsidiary of Skate Australia and was established to ensure that the recognition of the unique culture of skateboarding was nurtured with distinct branding and management that reflects the needs of Australia’s skateboarding community.

Skate Australia is the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) recognized by the Federal Government, Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australia Olympic Committee (AOC) as the peak body administering the growth and development of six individual sports within the Australian sporting structure.

SbA's objective is to increase participation in Australia through the delivery of regular, high quality and professionally managed events, developmental programs such as StreetWise, community participation, cultural awareness and education.

Skateboarding Australia is a not for profit organisation looking to secure the long-term future development of skateboarding in this country.

• Skate Australia received $260,000 in the financial year 2005/ 2006

http://www.ausport.gov.au/funding/2005-06_NSO_grant_allocations.pdf

• Skate Australia funding for the current financial year 2006/ 2007’ is locked in at $218,000

• Freestyle sports (Skateboarding) specifically receive $135, 000 for the financial year July 31st 2006 June 30th 2007.

• Funding will continue through to 2008 – 2009 with some scaling down and will be reviewed in line with the ASC priorities for the next quadrennium.

• The Freestyle sport specific funding is spent on annual operational expenses including- Fulltime Staff (x2), projects meeting the needs of the funding source, insurance, rent, utilities ect.

• To be recognised for funding from the ASC you need to meet to following criteria-

http://www.ausport.gov.au/nso/recognition.asp
http://www.ausport.gov.au/nso/documents/nso_recognition_criteria.pdf


The ASC will only support organisations that meet most or all of its select criteria, these requirements involve a long-term commitment by an NSO to demonstrate that they are truly committed to professional, fair and appropriate participation opportunities for their members at all levels.

The ASC do not fund individuals, corporations, major events or facilities, but support NSO programs that they believe have the capacity to achieve the outcomes that benefit the Australian sporting system. The Australian Sport Commission – focus is sport, not recreation or sub cultures or pastimes. The ASC only supports that component of the activity that is “sport” and can be developed.

ANSA, a committee of respected skateboarders and industry experts provide advice as a representative of the broader skateboarding community to SbA on the development of skateboarding. Current ANSA representatives include Simon Oxenham, Ti Coleing & Corbin Harris.
http://www.skateboardingaustralia.org.au/community/ansa/index.htm

SbA’s current working projects include StreetWise, Developing a National Participation Pathway, SbA Event Sanctions, Club Development, Coaching Development, Judging Development (to name a few). Projects offered are relevant to the needs of the funding source and skateboarding community.

If you are not interested in the broader development of skateboarding the work of Skateboarding Australia and the ASC will be largely irrelevant to you. The culture of skateboarding will not change.

There are however stakeholders such as skateboarders, councils, parents, sponsors, media (to name a few) out there who are genuinely interested in skateboarding expanding upon its current status. Improvement in areas such as the development of new and improved facilities, professionally managed & quality events, coaching and officiating job opportunities.

These stakeholders also want money generated by the industry and its participants to be invested back in the industry as opposed to it disappearing as dividend payments to shareholders.

There is no doubt over time and as resources become available Skateboarding Australia will start to provide outcomes for the entire skateboarding community. However initial steps will remain establishing infrastructure to develop the grass roots levels of skateboarding and introducing a national participation pathway.

Skateboarding Australia looks forward to providing you with regular news and updates ultimately keeping the broader skateboarding community up to date with all activities. Visit www.skateboardingaustralia.org.au for more news.