Roller derby is known for its vibrant culture and fast-paced gameplay. Photo / BradK Photography
Roller derby is known for its vibrant culture and fast-paced gameplay. Photo / BradK Photography
A roller derby athlete is ready for “the experience of a lifetime” after being named to represent New Zealand at the Roller Derby World Cup.
Team New Zealand Roller Derby this week announced the selection of its team roster for this year’s World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria.
Bay players Layla “Primevil” Robinson (Rotorua), Anna Ivy “Ivyk’nivey” Bates (Whakatāne) and Roni “Diamond” Diamond (Tauranga) all made the national team and will compete against 48 international teams in July.
Roller Derby is known for its vibrant culture and fast-paced gameplay. Teams score points by lapping opponents on an oval track, with five skaters from each team on the track.
Each team includes four blockers and one jammer who scores points by passing members of the opposing team whilst the blockers attempt to stop the opposing jammer.
Being selected to represent her country was an “enormous honour”, and was something she “never even considered” or thought she’d be able to do, she said.
“I’m pretty blown away that I’m here, preparing to travel to the other side of the world to represent New Zealand.
Layla 'Primevil' Robinson (second in from the right) says being selected to represent Team NZ is an enormous honour and was something she never considered. Photo / BradK Photography
“As someone who struggles with imposter syndrome it still wasn’t fully real to me until I saw my name on the announcement this week.”
Robinson said roller derby was all about the team, and seeing what they had worked on in training come together in a game was “such a buzz.”
“As a team, it’s all about getting to the point where we know what our teammates are thinking, how they move, how we best move with them and how we complement each other on the track.”
She said she was looking forward to getting on the World Cup track for the team’s first game, knowing how much they have put in to get to that point.
“My personal goal is to give 100% commitment to everything I do, play hard and smart, and support my teammates. It’s going to be the experience of a lifetime.”
Anna Ivy “Ivyk’nivey” Bates was born and raised in Rotorua and currently plays with and coaches the Whakatāne Roller Derby league.
Anna Ivy "Ivyk’nivey" Bates plays and coaches in the Whakatāne Roller Derby league. Photo / BradK Photography
This will be Bates’s third year competing in the Roller Derby World Cup.
“I loved skating, so a sport that included skating sounded fun to me.”
She said representing her country at the sport’s biggest event was “heart-warming and happiness for roller derby all in one place”.
“The World Cup, to me, is a celebration as well as a competition against other countries. It is an honour to be selected and recognised as one of Aotearoa’s best skaters.
“I’m looking forward to being in among our team, playing together finally and seeing how far we can get to show the development of our sport in New Zealand.”
Bates, who started skating in 2010 as a mode of transport, said her goal was for the team to play well together and be good role models and good athletes.
“We want to show how proud we are to play for our country.”
Roni Diamond is a founding member of Tauranga league Moana Roller Derby.
She played her first roller derby game in 2011 and now the sport is a “huge part” of her life.
“Once I started playing roller derby I was hooked, it’s like rugby on wheels.
Roni Dimond (right) says roller derby is a "huge part" of her life. Photo / BradK Photography
“I love the gameplay and strategy, the adrenaline you get from playing this sport and also, the people you meet.”
Diamond said she was lucky to have a supportive whānau because she spent a lot of time away from home.
“I’m proud to know I’ve done the mahi and the reward is being selected to travel to the World Cup. I get to skate with a team of outstanding athletes while wearing our country’s colours.”
She said she aimed to play the best game she could in Austria and return home feeling like she helped her team succeed.
“It’s such an honour to represent your country doing the sport that you love.”
Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.
