Skateboarding at GCSE: Students aiming for exam success

Mr Purvis also works with Skateboard NI, which is part of Skateboard GB – the governing body for skateboarding in the UK.

“You can do it because all you need is a skateboard, access to the internet and access to someone like me or any other skateboard coach – it is so accessible it was a no brainer – it’s amazing for having fun and also personal development,” he said.

He said skateboarding being in the Olympics gave the sport a massive boost.

“I’ve been down to my local bar with these old boys saying ‘see that skateboarding on the TV, how do you do that?'” he said.

“They are all interested.”

He hopes the inclusion of skateboarding in schools will help promote more funding for the sport in Northern Ireland.

“Our weather isn’t great for outdoor skateboarding so my end goal is to get an indoor facility here so NI skateboarders can be as big as those in America or places that have a better climate for skateboarding,” he said.