Skateboard GB are pleased to announce that The Loading Bay, Glasgow has been selected as the latest hub for the Pipeline Project, a talent pathway created to support skateboarders in competitive skateboarding.
The Pipeline Project began in August 2021 as a Pilot to support talented skaters, with Graystone Action Sports, Mount Hawke, Baysixty6 and Flo Skatepark acting as Hub Skateparks. A further pilot took place in 2022-23 including changes that were made to include skaters needs. As a result, significant insight has been gathered and a developed programme of support has been created. This will be delivered for 2023-24 via the existing Hubs and welcoming a Scottish Hub at the Loading Bay, Glasgow to the fold.
It has been awarded funding via UK Sports Progression Investment and further investment from Sport Scotland to test, trial and build a pathway that identifies and supports skateboarders to grow, develop and potentially achieve success on the World Stage.
The programme looks to support skaters by offering mentoring through a designated Hub Skatepark Lead & technical support, a calendar of skateboarding events and an opportunity to prepare for these with coach support, plus the potential to journey through to the next level of the pathway.
As part of the programme, Jonny Patterson was employed to lead at the new Scottish hub and support talented skateboarders in the local area. Upon his appointment he commented “The announcement of The Loading Bay joining the Pipeline Hub Network is really exciting and will provide the potential to develop skateboarders in Scotland”.
The Pipeline Project now consists of over 50 skateboarders across the UK and with the Paris 2024 Olympic less than a year away, this shows the potential for British skateboarding to grow in a competitive environment.