Skating star rolls into Sheffield youngsters' training camp

Extreme inline skating star Jenna Downing dropped in to Sheffield Steel Junior Rollers' training session in a bid to inspire young roller derby players.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st May 2016, 15:05 BST
Updated 31st May 2016, 15:08 BST
Jenna Downing speaking to young skaters in Sheffield.Jenna Downing speaking to young skaters in Sheffield.
Jenna Downing speaking to young skaters in Sheffield.

The visit was part of the Sportivate Roller Sport project, running through May and June to create a sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Inline skating champion Jenna Downing, who is the 2008 LG Action Sports world champion and a 10x British champion, visited Springs Leisure Centre on East Bank Road to meet young roller derby players aged between eight and 17 - the junior league of Sheffield Steel Roller Girls.

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She said: “Sportivate is a fantastic way of getting young people into sport and that is something I am really passionate about. I believe that as a Sport England Sporting Champion, I can inspire everyone in attendance to raise their aspirations of what they can achieve and motivate them to be the very best versions of themselves.”

Jenna is due to visit the Sportivate Roller Sport project again on June 12.

Lily Gaskell, head coach for Sheffield Steel Junior Rollers, said: “We’re proud to be able to provide an alternative youth sport in Sheffield and it’s a great joy to see so many youngsters work hard to master the skills needed to play roller derby. We’ve got some young talent here in Sheffield who are not to be underestimated.”

Flat track roller derby is a fast-paced, full contact sport played on roller skates around an oval track. Each team, made up of 14 players, sends five players out to skate in two-minute sessions.