Skateboard GB launch a groundbreaking partnership with Tanzania

This week marked the launch of a partnership project between Skateboard GB and the Tanzania Skateboarding Federation to support the development of skateboarding in Tanzania.

Supported by investment through UK Sport’s International Partnerships Programme (IPP), the project started with a visit this week by a Skateboard GB delegation to Tanzania to deliver a coach education programme. This will be followed by a visit to the UK for a small group of talented Tanzanian athletes and coaches in October.

A team of staff from Skateboard GB and UK Sport, including Dame Katherine Grainger have spent the week there to establish a comprehensive development programme for skateboarding in the country and other African nations, while promoting its potential for inclusion in future Commonwealth Games.

As part of this week’s programme, the two-day ‘Get Rolling’ course was delivered to 16 coaches to support the development of skateboarding education and participation. This was followed by an additional workshop to support further areas for capacity development, including strategy, governance, skate park development, and grassroots and community development.

Alongside delivering a coach education programme to athletes and coaches, meetings took place with Tanzanian governing bodies, the Tanzanian Olympic Committee, the High Commissioner and the government to learn more about their challenges and support in growing Olympic and Paralympic sports and competing internationally.

Speaking about her visit, Grainger said; “I was absolutely thrilled to visit Tanzania on behalf of UK Sport to support the launch of this pioneering partnership between Skateboard GB and the Tanzania Skateboarding Federation that will support the development of skateboarding in Tanzania”.

James Hope-Gill, CEO, Skateboard GB said; “We are delighted that funding from UK Sport has enabled Skateboard GB to create a partnership with Tanzania to train coaches, support grassroots infrastructure and give talented skateboarders some specialist coaching.

“This a fantastic opportunity for us to support the growth and sustainability of skateboarding in Tanzania. As well as delivering skateboarding sessions, this work has enabled us to start building good long-lasting relationships with the skateboarding association, government, and National Olympic Committee.”