Libby Watts: “I’ve been delighted to learn from the best of the best”

At just nine years old, Libby Watts entered her first British championships. Fast forward another nine years, the artistic roller skater is gliding head-on to international recognition and trying her best to get her sport Olympic status.

Over £100,000 is set to be distributed to 23 local athletes as part of a new performance scheme helping islanders to excel in their chosen sport.

Jersey Sport this month announced that a total of £103,500 has been allocated to allow the athletes – who compete in 11 different sports – to access professional development workshops on the Performance Sport Programme.

One of the athletes set to benefit from the scheme is 18-year-old Team GB member and Highlands student Libby Watts, who is currently pursuing a sports and coaching course alongside her growing international skating career.

Express sat down with her to chat about her sporting ambitions, and how the new funding programme will help her to achieve them…

Can you tell us about your sporting journey so far?

I started artistic roller skating when I was six, following in my older sister’s footsteps. I improved each week and began moving up the levels, starting to compete locally, in Guernsey and the UK.

My first British championships was when I was nine-years-old. Since then I have been to every British championships, except of course the COVID years. Each year I continued to work harder and harder, both on and off the rink.

In 2019, I was selected for my first ever international competition in France which was such a great experience. It really boosted my motivation to want to work harder and get to experience this as many times as I could.

Since that first glimpse of competing in the sport I love at an international level, I have gone on to compete for Team GB at the Cup of Europe in Holland, the European championships in Italy and in Portugal and also the World Series in Italy. I also had opportunities to compete in Switzerland and Brazil.

In addition to competing against some of the most amazing skaters in the world, I have also had the opportunity to train alongside them at the World Skate training camp in Venice. I’ve been delighted to learn from the best of the best and make connections with other skaters from all over the world. 

Did you expect to get this far in your sport ?

I have always had a strong ambition in skating, but I can’t say I ever expected to get this far.

I had always hoped and dreamt of being at the level to skate internationally and attend all these events, but if you had told my younger self the places and events that I have had the opportunity to skate at, I wouldn’t have believed you.

I’ve now been in Team GB with the people I was once watching with awe from the audience, and now I’ve skated against the other athletes I would watch on the live stream from home.

Being at these events, skating on the same rink and making friends from around the world was something that I could only dream of. 

What do you love about your sport?

The community feel, getting to teach younger skaters and the friends I’ve made, not only in my club but in the UK and internationally.

Skating has also given me great opportunities and experiences all around the world, teaching me valuable life lessons I wouldn’t get anywhere else.

 It has taught me so much about myself and given me key skills I will take with me throughout life. Skating has shaped me to be hardworking, motivated, perfectionist, resilient, team player.

How do you feel about being chosen to benefit from the Performance Sport Programme?

I feel extremely lucky and grateful to be chosen as one of the athletes that Jersey Sport has supported.

This programme helps support my competitive journey, allowing me to continue to attend World Skate and GB events as well as supporting all my off-skate training and preparation that goes into competing. 

How will the programme assist your sporting progress?

Being able to continue at overseas events and training seminars with the support from the programme.

I feel that artistic roller skating is a niche and often misunderstood sport. It would be great if, with support from Jersey Sport, my involvement could help shine a light on this sport and give it more recognition. 

What is your sporting dream ? 

I aim to continue to skate internationally getting new experiences, life lessons, and building key skills to take with me in life.

My ultimate dream would be to see artistic roller skating become an Olympic sport one day.