Coventry will be getting their skates on this year as the city's roller derby team take on the rest of the country at the British Roller Derby Championships.
It takes place in stages around the country, with the winner of each game earning the most points and gradually moving their way up to win.
The skaters range from ages 20 to 45 and do it alongside their day jobs, as they have to pay for everything themselves.
Despite previously participating in competitions all over the world, the team is self-funded and require sponsorships to pay for any new kit that they order.
Karen Stevens, 38, vice captain and committee member of the Coventry Roller Derby team, formerly the Coventry City Derby Dolls, said: “Our team of 50 work tirelessly both and off the track to represent the Coventry and Warwickshire area competing all over the country.
“They spend so much time away from their partners that even they have started getting involved in the referreeing. It really is a team effort.
“Skaters buy their own kit, pay for all travel and regularly donate their time to the running of the league.
“Our current income relies on the payment of monthly dues, which will depend on how many training sessions are attended.
“We’ve recently had to increase our dues for members because the hall hire cost increased, plus public liability insurance - which we need to have in place for training and bouts - means that we have very little spare to spend on ‘luxuries’ like new uniforms.”
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This year, the team are taking part in the British Roller Derby Championships, with their next game to be played in Nottingham on May 14.
As the first and only roller derby team in Coventry and Warwickshire, the side come from all over the county to train at Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, and all play a vital role in keeping the team going.
Karen said: “We are still a relatively new team, and only in our second year of competing in championships so we are just hoping to win some of our games really.
“We’ve been through a lot in the five years we have been going and we want to win for ourselves and each other.
“It is a passion not just a sport, so much that we don’t mind if we don’t win as long as we enjoy ourselves.”
Karen and the rest of the team are hoping to raise £1,000 to help get them the kit they need for the championships. For further details, click here.
