Get your skates on (From Northwich Guardian)
Send us news, start your message Cheshire News and your send photos and videos to 80360
Get your skates on
11:30am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News
By Emma Rigby
North Cheshire Victory Rollers are looking for new members.
A GROUP of Cheshire women are urging people to get their skates on and join the roller derby revolution.
Dubbed “the sport for people who don’t do sport”, roller derby is a fast-paced sport played on traditional quad skates.
After dying out in the 1970s due to a lack of interest, the high-speed sport has returned, with more than 90 leagues currently operating in the UK alone.
One such league is the North Cheshire Victory Rollers (NCVR), who train at Rudheath Leisure Centre every Saturday afternoon.
Formed by its fearless leader Nichole Krantz in 2011 after she decided the area needed its own women’s flat track league, the group now attracts members from all over Cheshire, including Northwich, Winsford, Warrington, Frodsham, Runcorn and Widnes.
“Roller derby has been correctly coined as the sport for people who don’t do sport,” said team member Katie Sproston.
“I myself was not a sporty person but there’s something about roller derby that’s so different.”
NCVR is entirely skate-owned and managed and everything from coaching to artwork done by unpaid members and volunteers.
“We get people from all walks of life, of all athletic ability and from all sorts of different backgrounds,” said Katie.
“Derby is what unites us – it’s like having another family and while we’re competitive and serious on the track, we all leave as friends and have a great time together outside of training.”
Last Saturday marked the team’s first session at Rudheath, with the venue designated as its official newbie training ground.
Katie said: “We only accept skaters over the age of 18 as it’s a full contact sport and skaters have to accept liability for their own safety.
“While we are a women only team, men can also get involved in training to be referees or, if they don’t’ wish to skate, as non-skating officials.
“If you want a different and fun way to get fit, want to meet new friends or just want to learn how to skate and have fun, roller derby is for you.”
For more information about NCVR visit cheshirerollerderby.co.uk
