New sport in town

ANYONE who loves roller skating may be interested in joining the latest sporting craze in Shetland – flat track roller derby.

A ladies team is being started in Shetland with two taster sessions at Clickimin Leisure Complex this month, to which men are welcome to train and act as referees, with the hope of setting up a men’s team when enough is interest is there.

The sport has been around since the 1930s evolving from skating marathons around a banked track to a contact sport played on an oval track with teams of five dressed in full protective gear playing 30 minute bouts.

It is growing fast in Scotland with 15 teams currently on the go and more starting all the time. The Olympics committee are considering it as an event at the games in 2020.

The taster sessions are open to anyone aged 18 or over and take place at 2pm on 10 and 24 June, with a £4 charge. People should bring their own roller skates if they can, or borrow the Clickimin’s which are no larger than 8-9.

More information is at https://www.facebook.com/ShetlandRollerDerby and www.shetlandrollerderby.com