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{{cquote|basically we had been watching how businessmen were getting in on the top floor and exploiting parkour for their own ends. doing things for their own gain rather than doing what was right for parkour. we wanted to have an organisation/people representing parkour in australia who put parkour first and money second as the recognised leader of parkour in Australia|30px|30px|Matthew Campbell|{{Fact|date=February 2009}}}}
{{cquote|basically we had been watching how businessmen were getting in on the top floor and exploiting parkour for their own ends. doing things for their own gain rather than doing what was right for parkour. we wanted to have an organisation/people representing parkour in Australia who put parkour first and money second as the recognised leader of parkour in Australia|30px|30px|Matthew Campbell|{{Fact|date=February 2009}}}}





Revision as of 02:11, 1 May 2009

Australian Parkour Association
File:Australian parkour association logo.png

Abbreviation: APA
Legal Status: Incorporated Association
Formation: 2006
Membership: 91 (2009)
President: Matthew Campbell 'Chippa'
Affiliations: Sports Health Check [1]
Australian Sports Commision [2]
Vic Health [3]
No. Full
Instructors: 3
website: APA

The Australian Parkour Association (APA) is an incorporated association concerned with the promotion and teaching of parkour throughout Australia. At present, the APA has 91 active members, while many times that number have attended or regularly attend APA-run parkour classes.

Purpose

The APA annunciates its purpose as to nurture the development of parkour in Australia and seeks to achieve this through a number of means. Primary amongst which include, teaching parkour through the provision of classes and workshops, acting as a representative body for those who practice parkour and advancing positive portrayals of parkour in the media. [1]

Formation/Origins

In November 2005 the idea of forming a national association to represent parkour in Australia began to be discussed amongst a group of Melbourne Traceurs. One catalyst had been the threat of legal action leveled against several members of the Melbourne parkour community – despite their being unconnected with the incident. As events were clarified amongst the potential plaintiffs, threat of legal action faded. However, the possibility of lawsuits left an indelible impression upon those involved.[2] The APA now provides members and instructors with “protection of the members and office holders against personal liability for debts and other legal obligations of the organisation.”[3] Simultaneously, there was also concern that parkour was being inaccurately promulgated in Australia.[4] Globally, there has been significant controversy regarding the philosophical underpinnings of parkour.[5] Amongst those who would later form the APA, there was a strong adherence to the non-competitive and altruistic principles laid down by parkour founder David Belle. According to current APA president Mathew “Chippa” Campbell:


basically we had been watching how businessmen were getting in on the top floor and exploiting parkour for their own ends. doing things for their own gain rather than doing what was right for parkour. we wanted to have an organisation/people representing parkour in Australia who put parkour first and money second as the recognised leader of parkour in Australia

— Matthew Campbell, [citation needed]


Following discussions initially localised in Melbourne, similar groups in Sydney and Canberra were contacted and quickly included, their contributions refining and completing the concept. On the 21st June 2006 the Australian Parkour Association (APA) was formed and registered nationally in August 2006. [6]

Teaching

Pursuant to the APA's aims, weekly classes accessible to the general public are run in several major cities throughout Australia. At present the APA runs classes in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Ballarat and Adelaide.[7] Pursuant to being a registered incorporation under Australian law, the APA is a non-profit organisation, with all instructors and assistant instructors volunteering their time. In addition to weekly classes the APA has been involved in organising workshops for disadvantaged and at-risk youths.[8]


The APA and the Media

In furtherance of the APA's stated objective of positively and accurately representing parkour to the wider community, members have been involved in numerous media appearances. In September 2007, members were involved in a high profile piece for 60 Minutes, which was broadcast nationally during Sunday prime time on Channel 9.[9] Following the 60 Minutes piece, numbers at classes experienced an explosion.[10] In addition to this involvement, the APA has contributed to numerous newspaper, radio and local television features, at times being the central focus.[11]

References

  1. ^ Australian Parkour Association. "Australian Parkour Association: Statement of Purpose". Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  2. ^ Connolly, Paul. (23rd April 2006). "Free Stylin'", The Age (Sunday Life), pp. 24-25.
  3. ^ Consumer Affairs Victoria. "About Incorporated Associations". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  4. ^ Tilley, Tom. (25th March 2008). "Parkour... more than just jumping around". Triple J's Hack. Retrieved on 3rd February 2009.
    • Mitchell, Simone. (2nd February 2008). "Parkour Life". City Weekly. p. 12-13.
  5. ^ Drummond, Linda. (6th May 2007). “Urban Legends”. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 3rd February 2008.
  6. ^ Australian Securities and Investments Commission. "ASIC National Names Index". Retrieved 2009-1-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Get Lost Magazine. (5th December 2008). "Top 10 Adrenaline Experiences". Retrieved on 4th February 2008.
  8. ^ Tilley, Tom. (25th March 2008). "Parkour... more than just jumping around". Triple J's Hack. Retrieved on 3rd February 2009.
  9. ^ Liz Hayes. (16th September 2007). Go Jump. 60 Minutes. Retrieved on 3rd January 2008.
  10. ^ AAP. (7th December 2007). "Spiderman Classes Near You". The Age. Retrieved on 3rd February 2009.
  11. ^ Newstead, Brooke. (19th July 2007). "Web Daredevils Risk Lives", The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 4th February 2008.