Roller derby has a reputation for being one of the most inclusive sports in the world, as well as one of the most physical, and that certainly rings true at Glasgow Roller Derby.
Founded in 2007 as Glasgow Roller Girls through interest drummed up via MySpace and was rebranded as Glasgow Roller Derby to better reflect the direction of the club. In 2017, Katie Jordan, otherwise known as ‘High Voltage’ in roller derby circles, joined the club having spent much of her youth playing ice hockey.
“I saw a poster [for Glasgow Roller Derby] and I thought that looks really interesting”, Katie told Fen Regis Trophies. “I thought I’m going to give this a go…why not?”
Katie’s ice hockey background meant that roller derby’s physical nature wouldn’t put her off, but she admits that she didn’t completely understand what she was getting herself into.
“I kind of had half an idea what I was letting myself in for, but I didn’t think I understood the full consequences of my actions if I’m being honest!”
Falling for Roller Derby
High-energy, fast-paced, and quite simply lots of fun, it is easy to see why the allure of roller derby was too strong for Katie to ignore. The sport combines her love for skating along with her passion for meeting new people.
“I love to skate, that is probably my number one thing,” Katie said. “It’s something that I’ve always done…I’ve always skated since I was really little.
“I also love the team. The people that I play with come from a wide range of different backgrounds.
“We’ve got everything from surgeons to cardiologists, to lecturers and engineers, and people in performing arts.”
For Katie, the inclusive nature of roller derby and the club is truly what has made her fall in love with the sport.
“It’s really important for me [to be inclusive]. It’s part of the modern world that we live in and there are a lot of sports that are fairly exclusive.”
Katie added: “When you look at us, we are all sorts of weird and wonderful in our own ways and that’s what makes us the team that we are.”
A DIY Club
The Scottish club was the first flat-track roller derby league in Scotland and the fourth in the UK. Throughout the club’s expansion, it has remained true to its ethos as a DIY club, whereby every player volunteers at Glasgow Roller Derby.
“You have to meet a minimum attendance and you also have to contribute to play,” Katie says. “You feel like you’re really part of the club.
“I think that fosters a special kind of relationship for all of us because they know that everybody, no matter what job they’re doing, whether they are young or old, the best or the worst skater, is contributing to the club.
“That makes for a really positive environment.”
Success and Achievements
As a club, Glasgow Roller Derby’s biggest achievement is unquestionably qualifying for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) play-offs in 2015, finishing ninth-placed and narrowly missing out on competing at that year’s World Championship. Glasgow players have also been selected to represent Scotland at Roller Derby World Cups.
Katie, who plays for the club’s A team aptly called the Irn Bruisers, simply enjoys being part of a club along with like-minded people. Though she would love to bring a trophy home for Glasgow Roller Derby.
“Since the pandemic, we have had a little fluctuation in terms of numbers. The A team plays competitively in the roller derby league.
“Every year you play and progress up the rankings, the top, top teams play at the World Championships.”
Katie added about playing for Glasgow Roller Derby: “It’s fun, it’s exciting, and the people here are brilliant and have changed my life.”
By Aaron Gratton
