By Lisa Parent

Roller derby trio returns home from victorious journey at Junior World Cup

Aug 18, 2023 | 4:18 PM

VALENCE, FRANCE – Roller Derby, a sport with five players per team, a jammer, and four blockers. The jammers job is to to go around the track and score points, and the blockers have to stop them. Three players in this unique sport managed to skate their way to success at the 2023 Junior Roller Derby World Cup.

Due to the tight-knit nature of the derby association here in Medicine Hat, the three young athletes felt well prepared heading to worlds.

“We were good at bonding with each other and just following each other and knowing what we’re gonna do next, so yeah, it’s really nice playing with them,” says Mahawa Traore.

All three girls snagged fourth on the open team, and Mahawa also got bronze on the girls team. Mahawa and Aminata Traore say that success didn’t come without its trials.

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“Playing in France was really nerve wracking. We went all the way over there and I was really nervous,” K’senya Schell, AKA K’slamya.

Aminata Traore adds, “I had a lot of like problems really believing in myself, but I feel like after like getting the real experience, I got better.”

Pushing through that discomfort, along with some support from their coaches gave the girls the trip of a lifetime. It even reminded Schell why she joined roller derby in the first place.

“It was a really good experience and it made me want to do it more and it made me enjoy roller derby more. To see how everyone’s different and how different people play,” says Schell.

Schell, being only 14 years old is hoping to go back to worlds next year to continue pushing herself forward in the sport she loves.

“It’s not like any other sport I’ve ever seen. It’s very unique, I like that about it. There’s, like, no strictness about it,” she says.

She hopes representing Canada inspires fellow Hatters, motivating them to discover the excitement and camaraderie of the sport. The Gas City Roller Derby Roller Derby Association is a small group, always looking for new additions.

“I’d say it’s a very welcoming community and that it doesn’t matter what you are you can just come on in and then we’ll accept you,” explains Aminata.

Gas City Roller Derby is hosting a Learn to Skate event for adults and kids on September 12th. They hope it may spark a new generation of roller derby World Cup champions.