Australian Pole Sports Federation

About Us

Welcome to the Australian Pole Sports Federation!

We are a not-for-profit federation dedicated to promoting Pole as an athletic sport. Our aims include:

Providing the pathway for Australian pole athletes to qualify for the World Pole Sports Championships (WPSC).
Achieving recognition of pole as a sport with the Sports Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee, enabling our Australian athletes to enter the Olympics when pole reaches this ultimate goal.
Bringing together Australian pole athletes as a community, supporting one another in our passion for pole sports.
Promoting this fitness activity, which incorporates physical and artistic skills, throughout the age span, from kids to masters.

The APSF is a proud member of the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) who governs pole internationally, by setting in place a structured competition, coaching and education format that has been accepted by international sport governing bodies. The IPSF has been awarded Observer member status of the Global Association of International Federations (GAISF), and are Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA). The goal of the IPSF and the APSF is for the Olympic committee to recognise Pole as an official sport and in turn eventually become part of the Olympic Games.

Become a member

Make a donation

fb7369f3-3281-4c8a-a85c-f2340cff6e56-1.j

e53808e8-6885-4e1b-b01c-9d413f6f3b78.jpe

Meet the Team

Mikki Rhoades

Mikki has a strong history in community development, project management and fundraising across the education, disability, and community services sectors. She has held various leadership roles on community based management committees and currently works as an educational librarian with a focus on inclusive resourcing. Mikki is excited to be supporting diverse health and fitness opportunities for the community with her association with the Australian Pole Sports Federation.

Jude Perrett

Jude has chased adventure in her adult years and found the pole adventure in 2008. She is an IPSF qualified level 2 judge and competed with Amy in the Doubles Division of the 2017 IPSF World Sports Championships, where they achieved their goal of a top 10 finish. As a physiotherapist, her passion is helping people achieve their physical potential and she sees being involved with pole sports as an extension of that goal within the broader community. She is excited to be part of the journey of the development of pole sports in Australia.

Norelle Daly

Bio to come.

James Wah Day

James started his adventures in aerials back in 2012, in Brisbane when he took an adult circus class as a novel way to stay fit. In the subsequent years he learnt the basics for static trapeze, silks and Lyra, while dabbling in cord and Chinese pole. A few years later a friend introduced him to pole fitness, which intrigued him for the simplistic nature of the apparatus, a vertical pole. An apparatus easily found in any location around the world he might find himself in. While based in Cairns in 2020, he learnt of the Australian Pole Sports Federation, and their goal to get all aerial disciplines recognised as a sport and to get the disciple into the Olympic Games. Asked to help, he was excited to assist them to achieve their goals.

Tasmin Rymer

Tasmin has a PhD, and lectures in the Biological Sciences for the College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University in Cairns, Australia. Her work extends into the community, where she plays a role in educating and informing the public in the sciences.
She started her pole sports journey in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. In addition to pole sports, Tasmin practices yoga and Tai Chi, and believes that fitness in any or all its forms is critical for a happy, healthy lifestyle. Tasmin is enthusiastic to be a part of the pole sports journey, and encourages anyone looking to build strength and confidence to explore this exciting, challenging sport.

Dave Wilson

Dave’s pole adventure/addiction started in 2013 after being introduced to his first pole class. He relishes the complete physical and core strength training pole requires, the endless challenges available, and the general inclusive nature of the sport. Dave is a strong believer in the positive influence on self-confidence, self-image and personal development pole provides. He performs together with his doubles partner, Tasmin.
Dave has a PhD in biochemistry and a MBA and currently works at James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. Dave shares the drive of the other members of the APSF committee to see pole sports recognised nationally as an official sport, and introduced into the Olympic Games on the international arena. He is thrilled to be involved in working towards goals for the benefit of the Australian and international pole sports communities.