Olympic champions Keegan Palmer and Arisa Trew will headline Australia’s top skateboarders competing against the world’s best in Rome as the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games officially begins.

The World Skateboarding World Cup Rome, June 11-21, is the first major Olympic qualifying event of the LA28 cycle, bringing together the sport’s biggest names in both Park and Street disciplines. 

Australia enters the event with one of the strongest skateboarding teams in the world after a historic Paris 2024 campaign, where Trew became Australia’s youngest-ever Olympic gold medallist and Palmer successfully defended his men’s Park title.

In Park, Olympic champions Arisa Trew and Keegan Palmer headline a squad that also includes Paris Olympians Kieran Woolley (New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder), Keefer Wilson and Ruby Trew (NSWIS), alongside rising stars Aaliyah Wilson, Taj Wolfenden (NSWIS), Coco Crafter, Mia Kretzer and Ash Wilcomes.

“I’m super stoked and excited to be back in Rome competing in the first Olympic qualifying event for the LA2028 olympic cycle,” Arisa Trew said. 

“It’s always so much fun in Ostia skating with my friends. 

“This event is one of my favourites as it’s a super fun park, there is such a good crew at the spot and I have been coming to Ostia almost every year since 2023 to compete in this event.”

In Street, Chloe Covell returns to international competition after establishing herself as one of the world’s leading young skateboarders. She is joined by fellow Olympians Liv Lovelace (NSWIS) and Shane O’Neil and emerging stars Rome Collyer, Felicity Turner (NSWIS),Cora Wilton, Ella Ledingham (NSWIS), Corey Nixon and Daniel Woolley (NSWIS).

Covell is excited to be back competing in Rome after winning the event last year.  

“I’m super excited to be going to Rome again and competing with my teammates and friends,” Covell said. 

“It’s a really unique but fun course and I’m also looking forward to the hopefully beautiful weather.

“This Rome competition is the first one of the year that will count towards the LA28 Olympics, which makes me want to try my hardest even more so I can comfortably secure my spot.

“This event means a lot to me because I get to spend time, skate and hangout with teammates, coaches, friends, and I got the win last year so hopefully I can back it up again this year!”

The Rome World Cup provides an early opportunity for Australian athletes to bank valuable ranking points against the deepest fields in world skateboarding. Results earned in Rome will contribute directly to the World Skateboarding Ranking, the system that underpins qualification for LA28.

The path to Los Angeles 2028 is built around the World Skateboarding Ranking (WSR), which operates on an 18-month rolling points system. Athletes earn ranking points through World Cup and World Championship events, with only their best results counting towards their ranking total. As new results are added, older results gradually drop away, creating a constantly evolving leaderboard.

The LA28 qualification process runs from June 2026 through to June 2028. During this period, athletes must consistently perform at World Skate events to improve or maintain their ranking. The top-ranked skateboarders from around the world will progress through the qualification pathway, with Olympic places ultimately awarded based on World Skate rankings and qualification events. Rome is the first opportunity for athletes to begin building the results that could secure their place at LA28.

With the first points of the LA28 cycle on offer and the World Championships in Paraguay later this year carrying even greater ranking value, Rome represents a critical first step for athletes seeking to secure their Olympic future.

Australian Team – World Cup Rome

Park

  • Arisa Trew
  • Aaliyah Wilson
  • Keefer Wilson
  • Keegan Palmer
  • Coco Crafter
  • Mia Kretzer
  • Ruby Trew (NSWIS)
  • Taj Wolfenden (NSWIS)
  • Kieran Woolley (NSWIS)
  • Ash Wilcomes

Street

  • Rome Collyer
  • Chloe Covell
  • Liv Lovelace (NSWIS)
  • Felicity Turner (NSWIS)
  • Cora Wilton
  • Ella Ledingham (NSWIS)
  • Corey Nixon
  • Shane O’Neill
  • Daniel Woolley (NSWIS)

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