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A local roller club has skated to national success - and is now on the hunt for generous islanders to help bring them to the next level.
Regent Skating Club spent the Jubilee weekend representing Jersey in the Roller Skating British Championships.
The British Championships are the biggest event in the UK National skating calendar and the local skaters managed to secure podium finishes, with some members even being named as British Champions in their age groups.
Skaters must qualify to enter the British Championships by passing skating assessments prior to the competitions.
The Jersey team had three competitors in the Espoir section, which includes skaters aged 11 and 12 years. In the ladies competition, Amelia Weber took home the bronze medal while Camila Wood and Louisa Wood placed 7th and 9th respectively.
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12-year-old Jack Ovens won gold in the mens competition of the same age bracket, making him the 2022 Espoir Mens Solo British Champion.
Jack and Louisa also secured gold in their couples event and were crowned the 2022 Espoir Couples British Champions.
Izzie Ovens (8) was awarded the silver medal in the Tots category, which includes competitors aged 8 and 9 years.
One of the club’s head coaches, Sasha Baker, also took home a gold medal and the 2022 Masters British Champion title.
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A spokesperson for Regent Skating Club said: “We are most impressed with the children’s resilience and support for each other and other competitors. We have been very impressed with their attitude and sportsmanship behaviour both on and off the rink.
“The skaters work so hard and we could not be prouder of them for putting themselves out there to compete, no matter what the results. It takes guts to stand on that 50x25 meter rink alone, waiting for the music to start, with all eyes on you. They are amazing!”
Next up for the older members of the team is the British championships in July, where the club will be taking another squad of skaters.
Pictured: Some of the team with their trophies and medals.
Because of Regent Skating Club’s success at national level, they have recently teamed up with the Jersey Sport Foundation’s team of expert practitioners to provide the skaters with strength and conditioning, nutritional, sports psychology and lifestyle support.
Paul Greenwood from JSF commented that he was “delighted to see the club enjoying success at national competitions. One of the prime reasons for us offering our services without charge to community clubs and their athletes is to allow them to focus that spend on meeting the cost of accessing off-island competition.”
Roller skating is a growing scene in Jersey, with Regent Skating Club consisting of an active community of skaters at all levels ranging from 5 years old to adults. The club is run by enthusiastic volunteers and the skaters themselves also begin coaching younger children as well as beginner adults at a young age.
Pictured: Reggie, the club mascot, also accompanied the skaters to the UK competition.
The club aspires to grow the sport further so more local people can experience the joy of skating. They are particularly passionate about inclusivity and reducing financial barriers to sport.
To facilitate this, the club are currently fundraising to purchase a stock of roller skates (which can cost upwards of £500 once skaters reach a professional level) and to fund competition expenses.
The ultimate dream for Regent Skating Club would be to have their own rink to be able to train and also hold national and international competitions in Jersey.
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