My World Cup

I covered the Men’s Roller Derby World Cup back in March 2014 in Birmingham, UK. For myself it was a short trip down the motorway. I wasn’t sure what to expect, except that the USA were odds on favourite to win.

Team Japan and Team Argentina stole everyone’s hearts, for completely different reasons. For Japan, their style and flair wowed the audience, even though the competition was a severe learning curve for them. For Argentina, overcoming adversity due to lack of funds and shortage of players, but exceeding all expectations. Finally being beaten narrowly by Australia in a hard fought bout. Their emotions evident. Winning them a legion of fans.

For the women’s World Cup I was looking for a similar story, something that would stand out, but where would it come from?

The USA were odds on favourite to take the trophy once more, barring any upsets. Not to distract from the team’s professionalism, spirit, athleticism and skill, but the story wasn’t going to come from the winners of the event.

England, I had down for coming second, judging from past performances. Even though they made it through to the final, losing 219 to 105 to the USA, and being the first team to take over 100 points off the USA, was it such a surprise? Many of the England squad having played in the Championships.

Perhaps it was to be found on an individual level? Kami, skating for England was retiring from Derby after the World Cup. And as the time was running down in the second period of the final, England called one last time-out and put Kami on to jam, lined up against Suzy Hotrod. As the whistle blew, both jammers flew off the line, but it was Kami who took lead jammer, picking up the points to push England over the 100 point mark, but with Suzy closing in behind. A fairy-tale ending, for a great career, but with so many other great players announcing their retirement from international Derby, including Suzy Hotrod, could you pin a story on just one player?

Maybe it was the success of the competition as a whole? The first World Cup saw 13 teams take to the track, this time 30. A testament to the growth of Derby worldwide and the spread of skills which enabled so many teams to take part. It was impressive, but unlike the individual team stories that came from the men’s World Cup, there was nothing that really stood out.

So what was the story? For me it was a more complex, a cumulation of everything that occurred over the four days. The Derby community coming together to watch the best skaters in the world go head to head under one roof. For myself, I was able to catch up with many great friends, some I’d not seen for a long time, some by design, others by chance. I got to watch and photograph some great Derby. I got to meet some great people and see a hotel not know what hit them as the Derby community descended on downtown Dallas.

I had traveled out to Texas with Dave McAleavy, who was shooting it for Team Scotland. We’d spent four days at the venue covering our respective teams and after the blast of shooting the final day we were looking forward to some down time and beer at the after-party, knowing that there was no early start on the Monday.

I can’t remember what time I left the party, I was slightly tipsy and incredibly tired. I remember seeing England enjoying the karaoke and some bizarre dancing by an assortment of skaters from various teams on the dance floor in the downstairs bar. The rest was a blur.

The next day, after a well-deserved lie in, I met up with Dave. Retiring to the hotel bar on the Monday afternoon we ordered two Dos Equis. The person serving replied, ‘Sorry we’re all out of beer. There was a private party here last night and… we’re all out of beer’.

I think it was at that point, a time when one could sit down and reflect on everything that had happened that we could both say, that whatever the story, it had been a great four days, and for myself, I’m glad I hadn’t missed it.

‘Yes’, we replied, ‘we were there’.