Carlisle roller skating league aims welcomes everyone

The Border City Rollers Derby League is an inclusive space for anyone interested in the contact sport, which is played on an oval track by two teams of five skaters and challenges jammers to lap the four blockers on the other team.

Border City Rollers play and train at Harraby Community Centre in Carlisle, and are aiming to help spark an interest ahead of their roller disco event this Friday from 8.30 till 10pm. 

For those who aren't familiar, James Cartwright of Border City Rollers shared the finer details of the popular American sport in an interview with the News & Star. 

He said: "Roller derby is a bit like rugby on wheels, without a ball. It's suitable for any background really, we've got people of all ages (although it's adult-only), sizes and genders.

"It is a physical game because it's about using your hips and shoulders to get people out of the way and get past people, but we skate with pads, helmets and mouth-guards.

"While it's exciting, probably the biggest thing about roller derby is the community, whether that's border city roller derby, where lots of people have found a home and are very happy, or the wider roller derby community."

Border City Rollers' disco night is happening on Friday 23 February (Image: Supplied)

The club were forced to pull out of the British Championships due to a lack of numbers, and they are hoping that this Friday's roller disco can raise some much-needed awareness and funds. 

James added: "We'd normally spend a Friday night pushing each other very hard while improving our skating and fitness, but this week, roller disco is just a chance for a bit of a blowout and fun, while also raising some funds for travel costs for the games we're playing this year.

"Like many things, Covid was a big setback and it's been a slow build-up since then, but it's certainly starting to grow and it's more competitive than ever. Whatever shape and size, whatever age, whatever gender, there will be a role for you."