UK Sport’s Aspiration Fund will help British skateboarders debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Skateboard England and Skateboard GB are stoked that skateboarding is one of the first recipients of a UK Sport Aspiration Fund award.
The £3 million Aspiration Fund was launched in October 2018, to enable Olympic and Paralympic sports outside the World Class Programme to develop plans to help teams and athletes qualify for Tokyo 2020.
James Hope-Gill, Skateboard England & Skateboard GB Chief Executive said “We are delighted that skateboarding is to receive grant funding from UK Sport which will enable Great Britain the opportunity to qualify up to five skateboarders for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“This is a game-changer for the sport and will enable us to cover the costs of travel and accommodation at the various Olympic qualifying events leading up to the Games. The funding will also cover the costs of managerial, logistical and administrative support of the GB Skateboarding Team.”
Lucy Adams, Skateboard England & Skateboard GB Chair and pro skateboarder, said: “Since before Skateboarding was announced as an Olympic sport for Tokyo 2020 we have been working hard to engage the skateboarding community and establish the governing body which will help us to maximise this opportunity for Britain’s best skateboarders, as well as inspire future generations to take up the sport.
“Skateboarding’s appeal is in its youth and diversity and its ability to engage with those who turn away from more traditional sports. This funding will help us realise and build the dreams of so many skateboarders, whilst helping to inspire and build an active nation, and we’re delighted to receive this award.”
Liz Nicholl, CEO of UK Sport said: “This new Aspiration Fund is a fantastic opportunity for these athletes and sports to get on track for the Tokyo Games.
“Many of the sports we are currently unable to support, whilst further away from reaching the podium, have the potential not only to inspire through their performances on the field of play but also to inspire new audiences to engage in sport and activity.
“We’d like to thank the Government for their continued support for UK Sport’s mission to inspire the nation through Olympic and Paralympic success.”
For further information about Skateboarding in the U.K. and how to get involved visit www.skateboard-england.org or www.skateboardscotland.com
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Notes to editors
Skateboard GB is made up of the constituent home nation governing bodies of Great Britain (Skateboard England (inc. Wales), Skateboard Scotland & Skateboard:NI) and is operated and administered by Skateboard England.
Following the announcement of a new £3 million Aspiration Fund in October this year, UK Sport will announce on Friday 07 December 2018 the sports that will receive funding to help them compete at Tokyo 2020.
The Aspiration Fund will allow sports who do not currently receive full UK Sport funding to develop plans to help teams and athletes qualify.
Sports eligible to apply for the fund include all the unfunded summer Olympic and Paralympic sports, the new sports for the Tokyo 2020 Games and those currently in receipt of individual athlete medal support plan funding from UK Sport.
Alongside their qualification plan, sports seeking funding were asked to submit details of how they will capitalise on the impact of competing at the Games and engage and inspire communities.
For further details regarding skateboarding please contact:
James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive Officer, Skateboard England & Skateboard GB