KENT ROLLER DERBY PAIR CALLED UP FOR WORLD CUP DUTY
The fast-paced contact sport is continuing to grow across the globe
Two stars of the Kent Roller Derby team have been called up to represent Scotland at this summer’s World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria.
Lynsey McKay (nicknamed Demi Lition) and colleague Hunter, who both skate for the Herne Bay-based Kent team, are confirmed as making the squad of 20 players heading to the tournament in July.
The fast-paced contact sport, which is continuing to grow across the globe, sees two teams skate around a flat, oval track.
Each team will have a jammer (wearing a star on their helmet) attempting to score points by passing members (blockers) on the opposite team. And it’s safe to say things can get a bit heated. BBC’s Hell on Wheels documentary showed both the incredible and inclusive social side to sport as well as the intense competitive edge.
This year’s World Cup has been a long time in the waiting, with Covid cancellations meaning there hasn’t been one since 2018.
Lynsey and Hunter had been training with the 32-player Scotland squad once a month since last year, competing in friendly games against Ireland, Wales, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy before the final team was announced.
“Having watched the Roller Derby World Cup since its inception in 2011, I’m thrilled to finally be able to take part representing Scotland,” says Lynsey. “It’s so exciting to be on this journey with a Kent teammate and to have our team on the world stage.
“We were all told by email and, having convinced myself I hadn’t done enough, it was a huge surprise to see I was joining the final team.”
Hunter added: “Roller derby is a huge part of my life, so being able to represent my heritage on the sport’s biggest stage is so exciting. The World Cup is a big platform for derby teams internationally, so I’m thrilled to be able to represent both Scotland and Kent on that stage.”
For anyone interested in seeing a game, Kent have a home game in Herne Bay on 23rd March skating against Bristol and Brighton as part of the Five Nations Roller Derby League. Both Kent teams are recruiting and will teach anyone how to skate and play the sport.
