Skateboarder Kieran Woolley has taken out the prestigious Illawarra Mercury Tobin Family Award for Illawarra Academy of Sport athlete of the year.
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Despite being just 14 years of age, Woolley boasts an impressive resume and is considered one of the most talented junior skateboarders in the country.
Woolley thanked the Academy for their support in helping him develop as a skateboarder.
“I would like to thank the Academy for their support in the past year, particularly with the new physical training opportunities I have been able to access at Kiama Leisure Centre and the great support that all athletes receive from Baimed,” Woolley said.
“I am sure you don’t always see the academy’s impact on athletes, especially lonestar athletes, however I can assure you that the IAS program has significantly contributed to my success over the past two years.”
Woolley is one of a small number of skateboarders who excels in all four disciplines of the sport, bowl, park, street and vert.
His prowess on the board can be seen in his recent results, with the Corpus Christi student claiming back-to-back Australian Junior Bowlriding titles in 2017 and 2018 and winning a number of bowl and street events in the USA.
The award, selected by a panel of sporting community leaders, is presented to the individual who achieves outstanding results in their chosen sport, displaying positive sportsmanship and contributing to the community.
Woolley’s community contributions helped set him apart from the other nominees, with the Minnamurra resident regularly volunteering to support local businesses and charities, including the Salvation Army.
Despite his young age, Woolley has also devoted a significant amount of time to the planning and development of the new Shellharbour Skate Park and coaching and mentoring emerging skateboarders.
Woolley has his eyes firmly focused on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, where skateboarding will make its Olympic debut, and his recent results suggest he’s a big chance of representing Australia in 2020.
Woolley has excelled in opens events, defeating more credentialed professional athletes in Australia and the US. He recently took out an opens USA National Series event and finished fourth at the Oceania Continental Championships.
The next 12 months will prove crucial to Woolley’s selection hopes, with qualification events taking place throughout 2019.
Woolley was also named Lonestar Athlete of the Year.