Team England Announce 2014 Roster
LONDON, ENGLAND--The UK Roller Derby Association today announced the 31-skater Team England training squad for 2014. Teams for all of England's bouts this year, including Blood & Thunder's World Cup competition and next month's triangular series with France and Canada, will come from this squad.
The squad comprises 18 skaters from London Rollergirls, four from Cardiff's Tiger Bay Brawlers, two from each of Manchester's Rainy City Rollergirls and the Middlesborough Milk Rollers, and single representatives from London Rockin' Rollers, Sheffield Steel Rollergirls, Dublin, Nashville and Manchester Roller Derby.
The full squad is as follows:
Betty Swollox (London Rockin' Rollers)
Bloxie Blackout (Tiger Bay Brawlers)
Dos Santos (Tiger Bay Brawlers)
Ella Storey (Middlesborough Milk Rollers)
Fay Roberts (Rainy City Roller Girls)
Frightning Bolt (London Rollergirls)*
Goregasm (London Rollergirls)
Grievous Bodily Charm (London Rollergirls)*
Hell Vetica Black (London Rollergirls)
Holly Hotrod (Sheffield Steel Roller Girls)
Jen Sykes (London Rollergirls)
Juicy Lucy (London Rollergirls)*
Kamikaze Kitten (London Rollergirls)*
Kid Block (Tiger Bay Brawlers)
Kitty Decapitate (London Rollergirls)
Lexi Lightspeed (London Rollergirls)
Lorrae Evans (London Rollergirls)
Missy Rascal (Rainy City Roller Girls)*
Olivia Coupe (London Rollergirls)
Pip Gray (Tiger Bay Brawlers)
Raw Heidi (London Rollergirls)*
ReLisa Kracken (London Rollergirls)
Rogue Runner (London Rollergirls)*
Shaolynn Scarlett (London Rollergirls)*
Sophia-Ann Loathing (London Rollergirls)
Stefanie Mainey (London Rollergirls)*
Terri Sudron (Middlesborough Milk Rollers)
Total Frey-hem (London Rollergirls)
Trisha Smackanawa (Dublin Roller Girls)
Union Jack U Up (Nashville Roller Girls)
Vic Tori Bee (Manchester Roller Derby)
*Have previously played for Team England
Comments
No Jack Attack?! That is a
No Jack Attack?! That is a shocker!
wow, so many questions...
AGREED! No Jack Attack?!!! this roster is suspect to say the least…
special shout out to all that should be on here
Ahem
'suspect'?
By all means let's have constructive discussion about these things, but let's keep the tone civilised.
ahem?
apologies. my tone really was civilized. i am sorry you felt the need to place inference where there was not. i do think think 19 LRG players is a bit suspicious and appears bias from such a vast pool of british talent. as for constructive, i wonder how a balance of team selection might be pursued in the future? ex: if your coach and team captain (decided before the draft has ended) is from the same team that constructs over 60% of the roster then how do we ensure future drafts to appear less bias and more reflective of talent? i think this is a concern for any country. especially, as strong teams recruit players from other leagues. again, if you look at this as an outsider it appears extremely biased, maybe that sounds better than suspect?. i don't know..
Hey, Totally take your points
Hey,
Totally take your points on board, it's something we talked about amongst ourselves (ourselves being the selectors and I).
My perspective on this, and for the interests of clarity, I'm not a member of LRG ( if you've seen me skate, you'd know why) is that LRG arguably have access to the best training in Europe, at their travel team level they also have played against the standard of teams that do not yet exist in the UK (I stress "yet", the standard at try outs yesterday was Sky high, it's only a matter of time...). As such, it's not surprising to me that LRG are reflected heavily in the Training Squad.
Another factor is transfers, there are a large number of skaters within the LRG contingent (I'd name them, but I've not asked their permission, so that feels a bit off), that have transferred from other leagues over the past few years to join LRG, this further concentrates the "top talent" for want of a better phrase, within the same league.
Your comments regarding the coach and captain being involved as part of selection are understandable, but I must state in the strongest possible terms that the was no bias. We were joined by two members of the UKRDA to ensure fair play, there were four selectors, not all from LRG and I also sat alongside the selectors and can assure you that a full process was followed and shared with the independent observers at all key points yesterday.
The coach and captain referred to were both voted into their Team Engalnd position by a majority vote of UKRDA leagues.
I understand that we'll never please everyone, and being brutal pleasing everyone isn't one of our aims, winning is our aim and we make no apologies for that. We truly believe that we've selected the squad that will give us the best chance on improving on our Bronze medal from 2011. That said, we certainly don't mean to needlessly upset or cause concern to anyone, if there was a way of selecting a squad without disappointing people then we'd be first to sign up for it, sadly it just can't be that way...
Thank you!
That's much clearer; thank you for responding so thoroughly and in a way that encourages and enables debate.
Thank you.
Clarification
No Jack Attack?! That is a shocker!
I would like to add this wasn't an "OMG! It's a fix!" response. More of an "OMG! If Jack Attack didn't make the cut, then how high must the cut be?!" response.
LRG has the most skaters due to the level of their talent and skills being the highest in Europe. This is fact, not fandom!
I personally just wanna see the best of the country representing the country. I'd be annoyed to see any "positive discrimination" going on in the picking of Team England.
Concerns/Questions
Hey,
Totally appreciate there are going to be just as many people disappointed as there are celebrating tonight.
If anyone has any concerns or questions they want to discuss, I'd genuinely be happy to listen.
Please feel free to contact me either on this thread or via the Team England Facebook or Twitter. We'll never please everyone, but we've got nothing to hide, so I'm happy to have a chat.
Laura jones
Team England Manager
Congrats Goregasm and Liv
Good luck to you both. Wish you'd chosen Team NZ, but it's totally understandable being based so far away from a your other country of choice.
See you on the track in Dallas.
Hate
You haven't selected team NZ
You haven't selected team NZ yet so there is no choice to make yet!
Team England... really?
Everyone in the UK knows that LRG are way above most other leagues in terms of talent, especially London Brawling. We look up to them, aspire to their athletic dedication and support them every step of the way in their endeavours, especially in the US. Anyone who makes it into LRG (even their Rec League) has access to the best coaching and playing ability in Europe. However this is Team England, not Team London.
I read through the selection criteria for Team England, particularly regarding Nationality. I can't remember the specifics, and I won't be pedantic or refer to specific skaters. However, a lot of this roster are known to have been born outside of the UK, AND only played for London for a couple of years at best. When you compare those 'suspects' to the roster of London Brawling and Brawl Saints, you can't help but notice a correlation.
You may also question Tiger Bay's involvement in this roster. Cardiff may contain a lot of English natives, but given the UKRDA selection standards, they could've easily instead tried out for Team Wales. Its natural to want to play with the best, therefore go for the best squad you can apply for. But often LRG are accused of stealing the national talent, and that appears to be the case for Team England (made up of the same persons), stealing international talent.
Given that the 18 players of LRG are on this roster, and 1 particular stand out player from Tiger Bay (most UK skaters will know who I'm referring to), the other non-LRG players realistically have a 1 in 12 chance of going to Dallas. Is that fair?
Everyone in England wants Team England to be the best, to give Team USA and Team Canada a run for their money at the top spots. But do we want to do that at the expense of our national pride? We want to show the world what English skaters have to offer Roller Derby. And looking at this roster, we look like we've bent the rules to breaking point in order to include top talented players who play for an English team, but are not necessarily English by nationality.
oh, missed this one
just to add to the fact drop here - of the 18 LRG skaters on this list, four, to my knowledge, were born outside the UK. Four. That's not "a lot". And all of them hold UK citizenship and/or permanent residency.
If you have an issue with the eligibility criteria, take it up with the UKRDA. You might also like to look into eligibility criteria for national representation in other sports. I suspect you won't find that the UKRDA criteria is loose compared to that. Bent to breaking point? Not so much.
If you are feeling sorry for the non-LRG (and LRG - that 18 is not guaranteed to go!) players who might not get to go to Dallas because there are other players who are better than them, I am sure they would agree with me that they would much rather get to go or not on their own merit than be sent out of pity because they are not members of LRG. Don't make the roster? Get better, try again.
Please don't think I'm coming solely from a defence of LRG perspective here. Yes, I skate with LRG and have for many years. But I'm interested in more facts being known, and less anonymous dancing around and pointing fingers. Say what you mean and stand by it.
can I go...
...because of my rad SoCal accent?
I can still say "cheerio chaps!"
Good points, well made.
Hi,
Appreciate you taking the time to put all this down, it’s just the kind of debate that I think is needed in these early days of National Squads (which will hopefully still be around long after the last of us have hung up their skates)
The point about “Team England vs Team London” is an interesting one, and I doubt you’ll be the last person to make it. From my perspective, what are we to do – should we not select athletes because they are from London, therefore allowing a skater who was assessed to be weaker (no matter how marginally) to take a place on the squad. Such positive discrimination feels patronising (at best) and would definitely reduce our chances of placing higher than the third place gained in 2011.
To reiterate an earlier point, Team England are going to Dallas with the aim of winning as many of our games by the biggest margin as possible. I’d struggle to find any National Squad in any sport that would do differently.
The point around eligibility is a good one, like you I won’t get into specifics (feels like poor form, although I’m sure those skaters will speak up should they wish their personal details to be shared). With all the Home Nations, we struggle when it comes to tournament criteria as there’s no such thing as an English Passport. We have been in conversations with the UKRDA around this point and also the UKRDA suggested criteria. Remembering that the world cup is not a WFTDA or UKRDA event, we have also been in touch with the B&T World Cup organisers, they are happy that by the time the first whistle blows every skater will be tournament eligible, appreciate that you have no way of knowing this – so hopefully that should put your mind at rest.
Regarding the Welsh skaters, they are not in a unique position, we have skaters with Welsh, Irish, & Scottish heritage (not to mention a skater from a US League and those born in Australia & New Zealand). Again this is not a phenomenon unique to Roller Derby – cricket, rugby, football, athletics, in fact any Olympic sport, all see athletes of the highest standard representing countries other than their birth nation. (Conversely to the Welsh skater situation, I’ve never forgiven Ryan Giggs for not playing for England.)
“Stealing” talent is another thing I hear a lot of – again, all I can say is, what would people have Team England do? Turn those skaters down? Damage our chances of placing above third? With the greatest of respect (and I do genuinely mean that) I think it’s naïve to think that way. We want to win, we will use the best athletes that we legitimately can to make that happen, and I’d question the validity of any League or National Squad that said differently. That said, I do totally understand the point about National Pride – as a fan and not a member of the squad I can totally get why individuals are disappointed.
I totally appreciate that regardless of what we did with the training squad there would be some people who felt aggrieved; and I’m not trying to change anyone’s opinions (I’ve been involved in roller derby too long to think that’s a good idea!), but I honestly am grateful that people such as yourself put such articulate responses to the decisions we make forward so that we can talk about these things, so thanks for the opportunity “UK Skater” – and perhaps one day there’ll be a UK Team, imagine the debates the Team Selection for that one would cause!
All the very best,
Laura Jones
Team England Manager
Hi Laura, Thanks for taking
Hi Laura,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. As you say, everyone will have an opinion on this and you can't please us all. This seems to be a very British debate - polite to the end!
I totally agree that the best athletes should be selected for the National team, however I am questioning why some players on this roster were considered eligible for Team England, mainly due to their nationality. I've had to retype this paragraph about 10 times to avoid sounding racist, but the point I'm trying to make is that if a skater has only been living in the UK for a short period of time, they should not automatically be considered English.
I am just concerned that the application criteria were bent in such a way so as to extend the pool of skaters that the Team Coaches and Captain could select from, particularly for the best league in the country. There is no harm in wanting the best talent for a national team, but again, at what cost? How many English skaters would feel cheated of their place because an LRG player from another nation scraped the loose application criteria? Would we let Suzy Hotrod play for Team England if she lived in London for a year?
In the simplest terms, if DNN or another network were to interview a 'Team England' skater, and hear an Australian / New Zealand accent come out, what would be the best way to answer that?
The flip side of this is that if those skaters were eliminated due to their non-English nationality, they would've perhaps been encouraged to try out for other national teams they were eligible for. It seems wrong that nations have been deprived of their best skaters. Some of the international LRGers have applied for their own National teams, and obviously due to their level of talent, have made the cut. Well done to them, and they obviously have a lot of dedication and love for their home country. I'm aware this isn't always feasible, particularly with air fares and making practice commitments, but automatically qualifying for a country you have emigrated to is not necessarily fair.
I know this is just a debate and I doubt that one opinion from an anonymous skater (unfortunately the UK Derby community is too small!) will change a national roster. But hopefully you can address these concerns and put some of us at ease.
Thanks.
Eligibility criteria
You may wish to actually check the UKRDA published eligibility criteria. All skaters on the list either have a UK passport, will have one by the date of the World Cup, or are permanent residents via ancestry.
http://ukrda.org.uk/?p=413
"The criteria for skater selection is as follows:
Skaters must hold a full UK passport, or have parents or Grandparents who were born in the UK."
I was thinking that myself UK
I was thinking that myself UK Skater! Once we’re done here, everyone back to mine for tea and cucumber sandwiches, maybe a spot of croquet on the lawn (we’ll not play National Squads though, it could end terribly!)
Like I say, by the time the first whistle blows every single skater will be eligible for a UK passport, and that’s what makes them tournament eligible. If you’re asking me if Suzy Hotrod was eligible for a UK passport after living in the UK for a year would we accept her into the squad – then I think you know our answer (“Yes.” “Yeas please.” “Hell yes please”.)
To answer your question about accents, the answer would be that those skaters are tournament eligible, I’ll be honest I find the question a tiny bit irrelevant, in the modern world of sport that situation happens all the time. You might not be the biggest cricket fan (again, HOW BRITISH IS THIS?!) but there were eight South African born players in the 2013 Ashes squad – they were able to play because they were tournament eligible. To use another example, Mo Farah, an Olympic Team GB hero is Somali born. Honestly, I think accents are irrelevant (mine for example, is a strong Essex accent – nowhere near as pleasing to the ear as some of the others we have within the squad!).
There are countless skaters confirmed for provisional B&T World Cup squads that will be eligible for countries other than where they live now, and also where they were born (have a Google and check out the amount of skaters that would be classed as “US” by most definitions, that are skating for squads other than team America. It’s a level playing field).
A number of UK Skaters tried out for more than one home nation, those that decided to stick with Team England might actually have REDUCED their chances of playing in the world cup – they may be far more likely to get track time in Dallas playing for a non-English team. Is that a point that you’d considered? (I hadn’t, it’s only just popped into my head now).
It’s clear that you’re put out that Welsh Skaters have chosen to play for England (just call me Miss Marple!), and to be honest if you want to know why they’ve made that decision then you should speak to them?
To conclude all I can say to you is that every single player on the 31 strong Training Squad is 100% Tournament Eligible. I understand that you’d prefer some of them to play for what you perceive to be their home nation – but that’s not your decision, it’s theirs and Team England couldn’t be prouder to welcome them into the squad.
Right, tea and custard creams at mine anyone?
Laura
Goodness
It's a good thing I didn't try out (aside from the fact I wouldn't actually make the squad!) - surely my American accent would trump the fact that I hold a valid British passport and therefore AM BRITISH.
Please educate yourself on the criteria before you assume facts. You know what they say about assume....
Welcome to 2014.
Warning - personal, non-team affiliated views expressed below
It's all gone a bit derbyleaks with the anonymity eh? I'm not surprised this discussion has come up, I'm glad it has and that the Team England Management can discuss it frankly and with transparency with the wider derby community. However I do take (personal, non-team affiliated) umbrage with this phrase: 'stealing talent'. Skaters choose their leagues, sometimes they move cities, countries and continents to do that. To imply that there may be some underhand ploy at large without evidence is firstly, a baseless waste of time and secondly, insulting to skaters who have made a usually difficult and tension-filled decision to change leagues. Freewill is OSSUM, let's not forget the skaters themselves in the discussion about the politics of team selection please.
English nationality
Hi "UK Skater" please note that there is no such thing as English nationality, you can only be a UK national. There will always be these sorts of situations arising when UK sports opt to split their teams down to the constituent nations.
It would be ridiculous to have an LRG quota for Team England. Would the Spanish football team impose a limit on Real Madrid or Barca players? Of course they wouldn't! You can only select on ability, anything else is cheating the fans. Team USA have a lot of Gotham skaters and two coaches from Gotham. They won't let sentiment get in the way of performance. Neither should we!
UK Nationality
I merely feel disappointed that no one from Auld Reekie or Glasgow (or in fact any of the other "Welsh" teams other than the one based in Wales' capital city) bothered to try out. Or if they did why there is no representation among the ranks of those who succeeded as there are many good skaters north of Hadrian's Wall (and elsewhere in Wales).
As Fox Sake has so kindly noted:
"The criteria for skater selection is as follows:
Skaters must hold a full UK passport, or have parents or Grandparents who were born in the UK."
So why no Scots?
Because they'd rather play for Team Scotland?
In Blood & Thunders last competition, the team representing Scotland consisted mostly of skaters from Auld Reekie or Glasgow -- that is where you'll find them.
There is also a Welsh team in the offing.
I know
I know
Then I'm afraid...
...that I don't understand the question.
Sorry, I was trying to be
Sorry, I was trying to be remark on my dissapointment at Tiger Bay not getting behind Team Wales
GBC
Grievous Bodily Charm is Scottish, you can have a drink in her honour this Saturday for Burns Night!
I'd imagine that the majority of Scottish skaters opted to try out for Team Scotland due to significant travel commitments, Scotland to the Midlands of England (where TE are likely to be practicing), is a hefty journey.
LJ
Edit: Plus, they may've preferred to try out for Scotland regardless of journey time!
At the risk of being uncontroversial...
I saw Union Jack U Up play for Nashville at Playoffs and she displayed heart, determination and team spirit. I'm happy to see her name on this list.
Shout out to Tiger Bay!
Congratulations especially to Kid Block and Dos Santos:)
This is England
Oi Iron Dan! "please note that there is no such thing as English National!?" are you drunk? go home and wash your mouth out with Qube juice..I am English thanks very much..and please no more talk of this 'suspect' line up either please..im sure everyone got through on there own merits indeed! underhand tactics by LRG? say it aint so..! stealing skaters!? registering other teams names? hmm oh shoot forgot that one was swept under the derby carpet....
This is England
Hmmm, lumpy carpet!
Yay jensykes!
RosterLooksAllonewordAwesome!