United Kingdom Skateboarding Association

Infobox Company
company_name = United Kingdom Skateboarding Association
company_
company_type = Limited by Guarantee
foundation = London, 2005
location = flagicon|UK London
key_people = Kevin Parrott, Chairman
Dave Carlin, Secretary
Mark Brewster, Treasurer

industry = Information Provider and Governing Body
homepage = [http://www.ukskate.org.uk/ www.ukskate.org.uk]

The United Kingdom Skateboarding Association (UKSA) is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation founded in 2005, with the initial aim of improving skateboarding facilities is the United Kingdom. Its further goals are to promote skateboarding and increase participation.

History and Objectives of the UKSA

Introduction

The United Kingdom Skateboarding Association (UKSA) is the only national (United Kingdom) organisation dedicated independently improving the provision of skateparks. It has the specific objective of improving skate park standards wherever needed.

The UKSA was set up in 2005 by Kevin Parrott to provide skate park information for skateboarders, councils, businesses and local communities throughout the United Kingdom. It assists in development of skate parks and public spaces and it campaigns nationally for skateboarding facilities.

The UKSA's affairs are conducted through its committee which meet yearly to ensure direction is maintained within the Association. However, the UKSA is also linked to many bodies such as the International Skateboarding Association, the European Skateboarding Association, The Tony Hawk Foundation and Skateboard Scotland.

The UKSA volunteer responsibility is split itself into the regions of England and deal with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales as whole countries.

The UKSA defined a skate facility or skate park as‘any space used for the purpose of skateboarding’.

Objectives

The objective of improving skate park facilities as both valuable sporting/recreational spaces is a precious one. It is however capable of achievement by providing information of a voluntary and independent nature to the landowners and intermediary bodies, as well as user groups, councils, businesses, communities and media.

Since its inception, the UKSA has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure the provision of adequate skate parks throughout the United Kingdom. As we move into the third generation of British skate parks, the cause that brought the Association into existence remains as valid as ever. The ever-increasing commercial exploitation of skateboarding often leading to insensitive planning, or quick fix methods contribute to the threat against adequate standard facilities. Too many skate parks are appearing of a nature for which they will never achieve their intended brief.

Recommendations on UK Skateparks were first formulated in 2005, soon after the Association’s formation. This helped ensure that equally, all would be privvy to information required to educate on the standard of skate parks the world over. The Association urged all local authorities to pay heed to the failing skate parks in the UK and move on from continually making these mistakes.

This was a result of the challenge which the organisation faced at that time. When it came to numbers, there were only a small handful of adequate facilities in the UK out of the estimated 800 available. Research concluded that while certain areas were well ticking boxes by providing skate parks a tiny number of facilities came near reaching adequate standard for use.

So, in light of the situation, there was much to be done and this could only be made possible through the valuable support of volunteers, skateboarders, communities, the skateboard industry, the skate park industry, businesses, and local authorities commitment and co-operation. With their help, the UKSA has kept pushing onward and upward with what is available for use in the UK.

The inherent soundness of the UKSA as the national guardian of skateparks, therefore, can be ascribed to the organisations wide ranging concern for the recreational needs of the community at large, not exluding adults whom are usually overlooked by providers.

As well as campaigning with local communities to develop skateparks, the UKSA is pushing the teaching of skateboarding in the UK.

On the practical side, the dedication and action of so many supporters has ensured that the UKSA continues to work purposefully for the achievement of its mission. Nowhere is that more evident than in its skateparks – at grassroots level.

Teaching Skateboarding

The UKSA recognised the need to offer and improve access to a greater variety of sports to youth. The UKSA endorses the introduction of skateboarding programs with the goal of improving attendance and helping get the young active in the UK; They are achieving this by providing information and support for courses delivering skateboarding during curriculum time as well as out of school hour’s lessons.

UK National Skateboarding Championships

The UKSA are holding the first UK National Skateboarding Championships in September 2008 at an unconfirmed venue.

External links

* [http://www.ukskate.org.uk Official UKSA Website]
* [http://www.tackyworld.com/skateboard/articles/display_article.asp?stem=1&artikkelID=19197 Tackyworld UKSA Interview]