REGARDLESS of age, if you\u2019ve ever wanted to try skateboarding, the YMCA has created a safe, supportive and social space to do it.<\/p>\n
With two sessions on Wednesday afternoons and two on Saturday mornings, Skate Club has launched at the Ballarat Skate Park on Main Road.<\/p>\n
YMCA\u2019s Jared Ng is the initiative\u2019s operations director, championing active lifestyles, participation in non-traditional sports and the varying styles of skateboarding, from transition to street.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat and all your Victorian schools have your footy, cricket, basketball and soccer, so kids who generally don\u2019t like those sports have an opportunity to get on a skateboard, given that chance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSkating is also part of the 2020 Olympics. We\u2019re trying to create a steppingstone and pathways for people who want to develop in skating, to have the opportunity to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
A club open to anyone in any stage of life, YMCA hopes to improve the sport\u2019s stigma, generate more community role models and establish a positive culture.<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s staff welcome those who are keen to jump on a board, get moving, develop their skills and make connections.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have locally trained coaches to deliver those sessions and from there, we\u2019ll run grass roots competitions for the Ballarat community,\u201d Mr Ng said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love running these competitions and clinics because you see a dad who\u2019s been skating for 40 years hi-fiving and getting around a kid who\u2019s just picked up a skateboard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really creating interactions in the community. It\u2019s important to promote physical activity and the positive use of facilities council has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n