Australian Skateboarding League Championships

This year, the Y was fortunate to be able to host the Australian Skateboarding League Championships, in partnership with Skate Australia. The event took place at Riverslide Skate Park during Melbourne’s Moomba Festival on Saturday 06 and Sunday 07 March 2021.

The Y has been hosting the championships for the past ten years, however this year’s event was different – it was the first event that the Y hosted after months of lockdown. This meant the YMCA Action Sports team needed all hands had to be on deck to implement our COVID-safety plan, ensuring that participants and the community were kept safe. Chloe Covell was one of the many young skaters who participated. The 11-year-old Tweed Heads local was the athlete to watch at this year’s championships after coming second in the female opens last year. Chloe not only impressed the judges and spectators throughout the weekend, she was also interviewed by many news broadcasters and media outlets who were equally impressed by the talented young star. After months of practising multiple days a week and perfecting her tricks, Chloe went head to head with some of Australia’s best skaters, including future Olympian Hayley Wilson and ended up winning the championships in the female division. “I’m so happy and excited that I won the championships. I’m going to continue practising and perfecting my tricks so I’m ready for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.” – Chloe Covell, female winner of Australian Skateboarding League Championships 2021 Former YMCA Action Sports Manager, Paul McPherson, said the weekend was a great way for locals to support athletes who were unable to compete in any competitions last year due to COVID-19.

We look forward to next year’s event and continuing to provide more opportunities for young people to get active and learn how to skate across the country.

We feel incredibly lucky that the Australian Skateboarding League National Championships went ahead, and that skaters from across the country finally got a chance to showcase their incredible talent and skills after months of lockdowns and event cancellations. ”

– Paul McPherson, former YMCA Action Sports Manager