In a sleepy alpine town in north-east Victoria, a strong skate culture is brewing.

Mansfield is a far cry from the suburban streets of California where skateboarding first emerged, and instead is better known for its nearby rolling ski fields and famous cattlemen culture.

But in this majestic mountainous area, 15-year-old local Hayley Wilson is making waves.

At just seven years old, she was encouraged by her brother to buy a skateboard for fun.

From then, Hayley has self-taught her way to become a name on the domestic and even international skate scene.

By the time she turned eight, she won her first competition, before taking out her first Regional League title two years later.

Last year, she won the Victorian and Australian National Skateboarding competitions, before representing Australia in 'Exposure' — the world's largest all female skateboarding competition in California, USA. There she won the open AM women's street skateboarding competition.

Now she has the 2020 Olympic Games in her sights.

And with a skate park just being completed in Mansfield this year, she's enjoying seeing the sport take off in the local community.

"It never used to be very big but it's grown so much since we got the new skate park," Hayley said.

"There used to be a few skaters at the old park, but it's definitely grown since then."

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From Mansfield to the world

Skateboarding is believed to have only been around since the 1940s, but has quickly become popular worldwide.

In 2016 the International Olympic Committee voted unanimously to include skateboarding in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

Far away from the city streets and mentors that nurture young skaters in metropolitan areas, Hayley is mostly self-taught, and has relied on everyday structures in Mansfield to hone her skills.

"I guess that was just how I was brought up — like learning to just use what's there," she said.

"Sometimes I watch people on YouTube and try and copy them and do the same tricks."

Earlier this year, a major skate park was finally developed in Mansfield, following strong support from Hayley and other community members.

Its features include a bowl, quarter pipe, and rails.

For young skaters like Hayley, it's an invaluable asset.

"This is like my second home," she said.

"Now it's here I can train harder."

Hayley Wilson perfects her winning skills at the Mansfield skate park. ( Supplied: Catriona Wilson )

Breaking down the barriers

Skating has traditionally been a predominately male sport, with professionals such as Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Ryan Sheckler leading the scene since the sport boomed in the 1980s.

Going down to the park to skate with the boys has never been intimidating for Hayley, but she said there were still barriers in the sport for women.

"When I first started skating there wasn't any girls really," she said.

"I was the only girl for a few years.

"There's people been looking up to other girls around the world, looking at what they can do, and seeing that can be done, it's not just male.

"Girls can do just as much as boys."

Training will soon begin to select an Australian squad for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Hayley says while the competition is fierce among the females, so too is the camaraderie.

"It's really good to have friends around as well, not just as competitors.

"Skating's already big — it's going to be bigger than it's ever been, I reckon."