Like Kris Faulkner, pictured above, they’re looking forward to the big date to celebrate Youth Week, which is on from April 4 to 13.

It is being run by The Youthie, the youth centre across the road, and according to youth officer Steve Blanch, this one will be the 10th they’ve run to mark the celebrations.

It’s held at the Skate Park in Peel St and runs from about 3pm to 8pm.

“It’s for BMX, scooters and skateboards and there’s different sections for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders,” Mr Blanch said.

They get about 50 kids, from as young as eight up to young people in their early 20s.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase your skills and no one is excluded.”

Trends change, according to Mr Blanch.

“It shifts every year in the popularity of different sports,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s BMX we see more of but some years it’s been scooters, which have been the big one, but I think we’re seeing a resurgence in skateboarding in the last 12 months and it will be interesting to see how that’s reflected in participation this year.”

While most of the entrants are local, the event has attracted out-of-town riders from as far as Wee Waa and Glen Innes in the past.

The organisers will put in extra lighting to allow for the night-time rides.

Mr Faulkner was among one of the junior advocates involved in the advisory group set up by Tamworth Regional Council a few years ago 

to drive the extensions to the skate park and establish the new BMX jump section.