The Alliance is the brainchild Burnside, Mimi Knoop, Jen O'Brien, Lisa Whitaker, and Drew Mearns, a sports manager out of Virginia. Mearns looked to the world of women's tennis for a model; the pioneers of women's tennis separated from the men's sport back in the 1970s to achieve recognition and their own prize money. A membership-based, non-profit organization, the Alliance hosts a website offering information on contests, learn to skate days, videos and books, and links to all things skate. It's a place where girls can go to see what is going on in the skating community.
In the future, contents will need to meet Alliance standards to become sanctioned by its members. World class events such as the X Games are already starting to feel the Alliance's presence. "We almost didn't do the X Games in 2005—until ESPN agreed to sit down and meet with us about next year's events and the future in general concerning girls' skateboarding," says Burnside. "We need to communicate and work together to make positive changes in the sport.
The Alliance hopes to create more opportunities for girls in the industry and to help build a bright future for the next generation of female skaters. "I think the Alliance is really going to help change skateboarding," says Burnside. "Nobody wants to makes waves, but sometimes that's what has to happen to bring about change." Check it out at and join up at Action Sports Alliance. —Rebecca Heller
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