Meet Team England: Jack Attack

Name: Jack Attack

League Affiliation: The London Rockin' Rollers.

Years Skating: 4 years (Since 2007)

DL: What was your previous athletic background, if any?

JA: I used to swim competitively as a teenager. Butterfly and front crawl were my main events. I dabbled with skate boards and BMX. I've never played any team sports before roller derby.

DL: Why did you want to be on Team England?

JA: It would be a honour to represent my country in the first ever Roller Derby world cup. I take the sport seriously and always strive to be the best I can be. So it seemed a natural choice to at least try out. It's extremely exciting to be making history. I wanted to be a part of it (whether I made the team or not).

DL: How did you feel when you found out you had made it as one of the top 20 skaters?

JA: Absolutely gob smacked (in a good way). Especially after the final try outs and seeing all the other girls that were trying out. Skaters that I look up to and admire...I feel honoured to be ranked in the same league as them!

DL: Which skater inspires you most, and why?

JA: That's a tough question! There's a couple of skaters in my own league (LRR) that inspire me a lot. I won't mention their names as I don't want them to know I have favourite skaters ;) But the reason they inspire me is because they work so hard. They have so much going on in their private lives with children and jobs and still give 100% at training and bout day as well as behind the scenes.

They don't always find it easy but they always have a positive outlook on everything. If they get a knock back they take it as constructive and work on making it better. They never have hissy fits, never complain and never get involved with any derby drama. They always have time to help out another derby girl too. I find that inspiring as so many skaters give up when its not going their way or throw a fit until they get their own way. Although you need to push yourself you also have to be a team player to play roller derby. Not a solo artist.

DL: Do you have any advice for skaters just starting out?

JA: Yes. Keep it up - Don't give up. Stay positive and get lower! (Don't be a drama queen)