Tigers Skate Club - Tech Deck Start Pushing Training

The Tigers Skate Club is a women and girls-based skateboarding club that hosts free weekly community meet-up sessions within the City of Edmonton and surrounding area skateparks and public spaces. The Club promotes inclusivity, growth and support for women, girls and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community while fostering a safe environment.

Through their Take the Lead Project, Tigers Skate Club provided the opportunity for 18 TSC volunteers to attend the TechDeck Start Pushing Workshop, a two day in-person certified training program for skateboard mentors. Through this training program, volunteers ranging from 13 to 55 years of age strengthened interpersonal relationships, gained the foundational skills to develop a comprehensive learning curriculum, and received the tools needed to feel supported as coaches and mentors in the skateboard community. Upon completion of this training, participants also become accredited as qualified Canada Skateboard Community Coaches as recognized by the Coaches Association of Canada.

"The support received by InMotion was invaluable to our club volunteers who participated and undoubtedly will continue impacting those who skate with Tigers Skate Club. Opportunities for personal and professional development in the area of skateboarding are very rare given its long history of being a male-dominated sport and industry. However, the support received for this project demonstrates that while barriers still exist for women in sport and physical activity, there are people and organizations who seek to empower and open new doors in the area of sport for women. Training participants expressed their sincere appreciation for having been valued in such a way, mentioned that the training exceeded their expectations, and they feel more equipped to approach and mentor skateboarders. Further, they are all the more eager to keep creating a welcoming and safe space for Tigers Skate Club members and under-served and under-represented populations in and outside of skateboarding. Thank you for supporting this very important project, InMotion!"