SCENE: Roller Derby

Sunderland’s Roller Derby team are on the look out for new members to join their energetic and exciting group. Co-captains David Garrick and Helen Lee tell us a bit about the region’s roller derby scene and explain how to get involved…

David Garrick, also known as Barbarrick. has been with Sunderland Roller Derby for nearly three years and has been co-captaining for the past two.

“I’ve always had a passion for extreme sports and wanted to give roller derby a try. When I joined Sunderland, the team was transitioning from being female-only to welcoming everyone, which gave me the chance to join. I instantly fell in love with the game. Over the past year, I’ve travelled across the country, helping other teams and meeting some incredible people and players.”

Helen Lee, or Hells Bells, has been with the team for two years and has been co-captaining since January 2024.

“I joined Sunderland roller derby for a bunch of reasons. I wanted a fun way to stay fit since it’s such an intense workout. I was also drawn to the strong sense of community and friendship that comes with being on a team. Plus, roller derby is pretty empowering predominantly being a female sport but holding my own against all the genders gives an amazing boost, and it helps build confidence and resilience. I love the competitive aspect, and honestly, I just find it really fun and exciting!”

So, what is roller derby? It is a full-contact sport played by two teams on roller skates, with a rich history spanning nearly a century. Two teams race around an oval track, combining speed and strategy, jammers score points by out-manoeuvring opponents, and the action-packed sport encourages incredible displays of agility, strength and endurance.

David explains further: “Sunderland Roller Derby was established in 2014 and quickly grew, making a name for itself both locally and nationally. However, like many others, we struggled to rebound after the COVID pandemic. Despite the challenges, we’ve made significant progress this year by officially changing to an an open gendered team welcoming, playing games and having all our players contribute to the local derby community. Our goal is to become a formidable competitive team once again!”

If you’re interested in joining the team, they’re now looking for aspiring skaters of all genders for their new intake, with no experience necessary. Training sessions comprise of two 6-week courses which include comprehensive training from experienced coaches, advice on equipment and safety gear and encouragement and support every step of the way. The course begins on Monday 2^nd September at 7pm at Castle View Sports Centre, Hylton Castle, Sunderland. The 6-week course costs £30 and spaces are limited. Sign up here or contact them via Facebook, Instagram or [email protected].