The inaugural Roller Derby World Cup took place in Canada in December and saw 13 teams of amateur skaters from around the world flock to Toronto to battle it out for the new title.
A predominantly all-female full-contact sport, roller derby is played on quad roller skates around a flat, oval track. (Want to find out more? Read our ‘Getting Started’ guide here!)
Intrigued? Well we sent co-captain of Team Scotland, ‘Crazylegs’, off to Canada with a diary, and just look at what she had to say…
Inaugural World Cup – Day 1. Toronto, the Bunker.
Feeling fairly relaxed and ready to go. After a couple of days acclimatising with some teammates in the city, I’m secretly glad that Team Scotland isn’t scheduled to play any seeding bouts on day one.
After checking in at the ‘roller derby hotel’ we gathered up our skates and equipment to head out to the Bunker.
I’m apprehensive - stress levels rising - more in relation to the organisational side of things than the skating; there is a lot to find out in a short space of time and I have no idea how organised the tournament will be. There is a lot that we (I) don’t know and a lot that can go wrong when herding 20 skaters about for a whole weekend. I don’t even know where I should be! Who am I? And more importantly, what time is it?
On arrival the venue is impressive, secluded in the middle of some gritty barren wasteland. It’s the kind of venue we dream of having for our own teams in Scotland. New Zealand (our first bout) is on track so we sneak a glance… and then run away.
After training and a quick captain’s meeting to finalise team rosters and line ups for our two confirmed games tomorrow, we head out in search of food before the first bouts of the day get started. Stepping out of the venue into the dark is when it truly hits me that we are here as part of a huge world wide event - there is a massive queue of people waiting to get in! I forgot so many people would be coming to watch.
Inaugural World Cup – Day 2. Toronto, The Bunker.
The shuttle buses are an organisational dream, although the timings suck and we have to get the 7:30am bus so that we have enough time before our 10am bout. No snow today - the weather is exactly the same as in Scotland and we feel at home.
My co-captain and I put our heads together when we arrive to give what I hope is a positive and inspiring team chat. I feel so proud seeing the team in their uniforms. The skaters not rostered in for this bout are playing in the next, so are uniformed up, settled into ‘Scots Corner’ in the crowd and cheering us on. This feels good.
NZ 124 – Scotland 111
The bout is hard fought by both teams – the New Zealanders have immense defence and are very strong and together. Of course we are disappointed not to win this one, but we’re proud of our fight and enjoyed the game. Although everything is immediately overshadowed by the realisation we will be playing Team USA next.
USA 435 – Scotland 1
‘The point heard around the world’. No words can possibly describe the electric atmosphere when that one point went on to the board. It spurred me on – boosted the team, and while a few extra points would have been amazing, the ‘one point’ legend for Team Scotland has to go down in history as one of the best moments of this World Cup.
No time for resting after the USA bout though, we’re straight into a meeting to discuss the news filtering through that we would be playing Australia next – and not the next day, but in a couple of hours!
Australia 248 – Scotland 52
Back to the games – knock out rounds commenced, and yes, Australia did dominate us. They played a good hard game and our fight was just not enough to match them.
The evening was spent in a hot bath, scrubbing the Powerade spillage out of my uniform and checking the lovely Facebook updates from people who were watching at home. Reading the notes of support from all over the world and our die hard Scottish fans was a huge boost at the end of a gruelling but most enjoyable day. In fact, best day - ever.
Inaugural World Cup – Day 3. Toronto, The Bunker.
First up, we find out we are playing Argentina – a team we know nothing about. We’re determined to get a win under our belts.
Scotland 114 - Argentina 91
A bit closer than I would have liked the final score to be, but at last a win! The emotional tears from the Argentinean team at the end were heart breaking, but we felt so happy to have pulled a win out of the bag. Hearing through the grapevine that we were to play whoever lost out of Germany and New Zealand, feelings were mixed within the team.
Verdict – we play Team Germany
Announcing the Germany game roster was an emotional moment– mostly I think, driven from a lack of tourney information combined with mental tiredness; I had no idea how many games we had left to play - one or two - and wanted everyone on the team to have a chance at another game.
Germany 104 - Scotland 51
Although Team Germany clearly dominated the game in the first period, I felt like after a tactical switch up Team Scotland dominated the second half. Team Germany seriously rocked at this tournament – I loved watching them play, and their attitude and sportswomanship is always a pleasure to be around.
One more game to go! Teams announced, roster submitted and line ups prepared for the last time.
Scotland 113 - Brazil 64
Of all of the games we played, this was the one that truly inspired me – some of the women on this team had apparently never bouted before and they put up an amazingly good show. The result was a good one for Team Scotland, putting us in 11th place overall. I like being number 11 – it’s my skater number usually, and it’s a double 1 after all.
We worked so hard to get to Toronto. Scottish roller derby is not the largest community out there but it is very dedicated. We came with the intention to fight to put Scottish roller derby on the map and to play hard and enjoy every minute. We definitely achieved all of this and more.
Besides, there is no doubt in my mind about who won the after party. Team Scotland – brave, determined, and bloody good dancers!
Crazylegs, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: Dave McAleavy - www.boutday.org
