Supporting Women, Non-Binary & Trans Skate Coaches – Why It Matters

For International Women’s Day 2025, we’re running three Get Rolling skateboard coaching courses exclusively for women, non-binary, and trans people in Scotland, Wales, and England.

These courses matter because representation in coaching matters. When skaters see people like themselves in coaching roles, they feel more welcome, more confident, and more likely to step into leadership themselves.

Last year, we ran our first exclusive coaching course, and the impact was clear:

“The course tutors were really informative, and I was really impressed with the level of inclusivity and understanding of each participant’s needs. They made me feel really safe, understood, and included.”

“[The tutor] was so inspiring, bringing such passion and depth of experience of coaching skateboarding. Particularly her commitment to marginalised genders and the queer community. I came away feeling extremely grateful and motivated to be part of the skateboarding community.”

The need for these courses isn’t about ticking a box or following a trend. It’s about real people, real experiences, and real barriers that need breaking down. It’s about listening to our coaches and making sure we’re offering training that meets them where they are, meets their needs, and meets the moment.

Why This Matters

Skateboarding is built on community. It thrives when people lift each other up, share knowledge, and create spaces where everyone feels they belong. But there are still too many people who don’t see themselves reflected in coaching roles. That’s not because they lack the passion or ability—it’s because the pathway into coaching hasn’t always felt accessible or welcoming.

Courses like these change that. They provide a space where people can learn, connect, and build confidence without having to navigate environments that weren’t designed with them in mind. The feedback from last year’s participants speaks for itself:

“The coaches were amazing! They were both relatable, knowledgeable, inclusive and made it a really enjoyable day!”

“Having it as a women and non-binary group was also useful for networking and hearing about other people’s experiences, projects and successes.”

When we invest in underrepresented coaches, we’re investing in the future of skateboarding. We’re making sure the next generation of skaters grows up seeing role models they can relate to. We’re strengthening grassroots skateboarding by giving coaches the skills and confidence to step into leadership roles and create their own opportunities. Increased representation creates more diverse role models for our talent pipeline too supporting and encouraging younger skaters who want to take competitive skateboarding as far as they can.

Adapting to What’s Needed

We’re running these courses because we’ve listened to our community. We’ve heard from women, non-binary, and trans skaters who want to coach but don’t always feel comfortable in mixed-gender training spaces. We’ve seen how powerful it is when people have a learning environment where they can show up as themselves. And we’re responding by making sure these courses happen—not as a one-off, but as part of an ongoing effort to build a more inclusive skateboarding culture.

“It’s a really good way to raise representation and encourage people to learn in an inclusive environment without necessarily having to compare themselves to another skater who is part of the traditional skate community.”

– Marie-Ermelinda Mayassi, Director and Founder of Melanin Skate Gals n’ Pals

This is about meaningful change, not just good intentions. It’s about recognising where the gaps are and taking action to close them.

What’s Next?

The courses will take place later this year in Scotland, Wales, and England, ensuring people across the UK can reach these courses. For each, the goal remains the same: creating a safe, supportive space where underrepresented coaches can develop their skills and grow their confidence.

We’re excited to see these courses come to life and even more excited to see what these coaches do next. Because when people feel supported, they don’t just take up space—they shape the future of skateboarding.

If this resonates with you, we’d love for you to share this, start a conversation, or simply take a moment to celebrate the skaters and coaches pushing for change. Let’s keep making skateboarding better, together.

Learn more about our ‘Get Rolling’ coaching courses here.

Written by Amber Edmondson, Coach Development Lead.