"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." - Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela

Boardroom Newcastle Ltd is a not for profit charitable company built with the courage, determination and resilience of young people, artists and Extreme Sports practitioners.

We initiate, set up and run projects and centres of equality and empowerment to support young people to grow into active, useful citizens who take responsibility for themselves, and for a future in which they can feel in control of their own lives, and can contribute to their local and global communities.

We specialise in teaching and facilitating, working with local people, schools, youth services, criminal justice and youth justice systems, and many other beneficiaries. Our workshops or programmes offer many young participants their first experience of taking part in these sports and arts. For more information about the activities we can offer, please click here for our latest brochure.

We train young Extreme Sports and Circus artists in teaching and facilitating, and nurturing beginners from basic skills, to advanced levels. We also provide a range of opportunities for volunteering, work experience placements and vocational training (soon to be accredited), and have a committed team of young people who are key in the running of the company, and are working to develop their careers, as teachers and facilitators, performers, and project developers.

We run the only permanent indoor facilities for training Extreme Sports, Urban Arts and Circus Skills in the North East. Being a membership organisation and running an indoor facility, means that we are able to represent and take responsibility for the Extreme Sports and Street-based arts, and avoids the kinds of problems associated with un-managed outdoor skate parks. Our facilities and training methods mean that young people (and the young at heart) can take part in activities that keep them fit, healthy, and build their confidence and self-esteem. Our participants say that the thing they love the most about our centre is that it feels friendly and open, and that they are welcomed as part of an inclusive community. This sense of family or community is something we try to create wherever we work.

Please have a look at our history to find out how we made use of an abandoned building, recycled ramps and wood, and worked with young people and local residents to build the skate park.

The principles by which we work have been forged by overcoming many obstacles, including the struggle to get Young People's rights, Extreme and Urban Arts recognised, respected and supported. This has built in us a resourcefulness and adaptability which enables us to work with people from all different kinds of backgrounds, including young people from some of the most deprived areas in the country. Through our work, we have been able to break down social barriers, to challenge negative, destructive behaviour, and work towards a culture of positivity, respect and progression.

What's Next?
Boardroom Newcastle has a three phased business plan and we believe that Phase 1: Indoor Skate Park and Circus Skills Training Centre is a great resource, but it has serious limitations, in terms of size and location.

Furthermore, Compared to more mainstream sports and arts, there has never been any real investment into supporting and recognising young people's passion for Extreme Sports and Street-based arts in the North East.

Phase 2: Youth and Community Arts Centre
A). We plan to run a 'World-Class' Campaign, to raise public awareness and support for our plans, and to find out from young people what they would like to see in the centre. This will be done as a design competition through the local media, and a series of ideas workshops with local groups.
B). We plan to run a temporally indoor skate park in a large industrial warehouse, this will act as a fundraising vehicle and would also allow us to accommodate the demand for what we provide, test the viability of the larger project, and give our team the necessary training and experience before we move to the next phase of our business plan. Look out for updates on what's happening, and get involved! Contact us to find out more...

Phase 3: We are working towards a New Build project, a World Class Extreme Sports and Street-based arts facility, which would house a large indoor skate park, Performance Auditorium, Circus Training Gymnasium, Indoor and Outdoor Rock-Climbing and a Free-running training 'Street-Course'.
We know this is an ambitious project, but we think young people deserve to have their vision and aspirations respected, and to be provided with high-quality facilities.

Meet The Team

Rico Jakk (aka Ricochet /Superflyrico)
Rico Jakk, originally from Malawi, having learned to 'windmill' left his work as a sign-maker, and followed his passion for Breakdance and Acrobatics. He learned his arts from the street up; break dance, acrobatics, circus skills and resourcefulness. He has always strived to nurture and develop skills in other people, and he has an instinct for spotting raw talent. He has been involved in Young People's participation projects and charitable work (including initiatives to provide resources for children back in his home county of Malawi) since he was a young person, has been a champion of Street-based arts, Hip Hop, and Extreme Sports, and has built and resourced a number of unique youth and community arts facilities, often funding the work himself. He has a son, Remy, who gives him lots of good advice, especially when it comes to wardrobe matters, and who is a budding breakdancer, BMX and scooter rider and skater, and is studying to be a Super-fly Hero...like his dad.

Rosa Stourac McCreery (aka Dash) Co. Director
At the age of 5 Rosa wanted to be a trapeze artist. Then again, she also wanted to be a wolf and a zoologist. A bit later she wanted to be useful in working on some of the problems she saw in the world around her, and decided to use her background in theatre to do this. She trained at International Theatre School Jacques Lecoq, and her work has focused on performance and drama skills as a tool in a change-making process. She has worked in Canada, and a number of countries in Europe and Africa, and, in particular with street children in Ghana and Senegal. Her physical background has developed to include dance and circus skills, and now she also rollerblades. She's also a Clown Doctor!

Jake Thompson-Company Director
Once upon a time Jake was a skater. Then he put down his board and picked up a pen! Jake is an artist, with a passion for street art and cartoon styles. He also works at a unit teaching art to excluded young people.

Luke Scott (Mr Invert) Team Leader
Luke is one of our most experienced skate teachers, and a great ramp skater. His enthusiasm and passion for skating is infectious, and he loves seeing people progress, from being beginners, to becoming competent skaters. He is also a sound engineer, and does sound for gigs, events, plays and musicals. He wants to make Boardroom his future...

Sam Banner
Sam was involved in the project from the very beginning, and after moving down South for a while, came back up North when he knew Boardroom was re-opening. He is a real all-rounder; a visual artist, BMX rider, Skater, and juggler/manipulator. He teaches circus skills and BMX, and we're glad to have him back with us again!

Ed Atkins
Ed is a Skateboarder and teacher, and regularly keeps us entertained with his follicular adventures (his extreme hairstyles!) He has been involved in many youth and community-based projects, and continues to work with young people in Cowgate. This background and experience means he is a real asset to us.

Andy 'scream' O
Andy Owen is a skateboarder, and a techno-nerd. He assists with the skateboarding sessions and has been involved in lots of different youth participation projects, and is always keen to be part of the action. His hairstyles often compete with Eds, and his personality is often thought of as indescribable. His music taste is also rather dubious and he wants to DJ... but let's say no more about that.

Raylee Lawrence
Raylee is a leading volunteer, often seen behind the front desk, welcoming people, entering memberships, and doing all kinds of odd jobs. She has done a certificate in sports leaders and often worked with young children. She is learning to rollerblade, and enjoys circus skills and art. She has been known to be a bit random sometimes...

Boardroom also has a number of trainee team members and volunteers, including Grant Patterson & Liam McDougle...