£4k funding boost helps young skaters roll into UK contests

Tuesday 07 March 2023

The island's aspiring Torvill and Deans - on wheels - will find it easier to head to competitions in the UK thanks to a £4,000 funding boost.

Regent Skating Club regularly sends skaters to the UK for competitions and several have won the British championships in their age categories.

They have used funding in the past to build up their own stock of roller skates, which can cost more than £500.

Now, with the help of a donation from Ports of Jersey - £2,000 for 2022 and £2,000 for 2023 - the group will be funding travel costs for coaches, which it says will reduce the cost for families.

“Skating is a fantastic sport – like Torvill and Dean on wheels – and we want to make it accessible to all,” said Sasha Baker, the club’s Head Coach. “This donation is helping us do that by keeping travel costs to a minimum.” 

Pictured: Head Coach Sarah Baker said the Regent Skating Club aims to make the sport "accessible to all".

Skaters start competing from as young as seven, performing dances such as foxtrot, tango or waltz, Ms Baker said. The club’s youngest British champion is eight years old.

“It is beautiful to watch, and making it look graceful is incredibly hard work and builds great fitness, strength, and resilience. Standing on the 50 by 25-metre rink, waiting for the music to start, is nerve-wracking stuff - the children are amazing,” said Ms Baker.

“We are passionate as a club about reducing financial barriers to sport, and we all give our time for free. We are grateful for the donation from Ports of Jersey, which we are using to reduce travel costs for families by funding travel costs for the skating coaches. Other sponsorship has also allowed us to build up a stock of roller skates for rent. This means families don’t have to buy their own skates; one pair can cost more than £500.”

The club’s next competition is on 16 March, when they will be travelling to the UK for the Roller-Skating Spring Solo event. 

Ports of Jersey’s CSR Development Manager, Leanne Bass, said: "As a prominent local business, Ports of Jersey is committed to making a positive difference to Island life. We see support for local charities and sports groups as fundamental to our role and are pleased to be able to facilitate travel for members of the Regent Skating Club. 

“They have many talented and hard-working members who deserve to be able to participate in competitions both in the UK and on the continent, without the cost of travel becoming an insurmountable barrier."