News Summary
British-born roller derby player Li Caswell-Sou recently made her World Cup debut with Team Chinese Nations in Innsbruck, Austria. The team showcased representation from the global Chinese diaspora, finishing 37th overall after a commendable performance despite limited training. The Roller Derby World Cup featured 48 teams and over 1,200 skaters, marking a significant event in the sport’s history. Team Chinese Nations received the Spirit Award, highlighting their energy and enthusiasm on the track, and sparked increased interest in roller derby within their community.
Innsbruck, Austria – British-born roller derby player Li Caswell-Sou from Oxford recently represented Team Chinese Nations at the Roller Derby World Cup, held from July 3 to 6. This event marked the largest in the sport’s history, featuring 48 teams, 80 games, and over 1,200 skaters from across the globe.
Ms. Caswell-Sou’s participation was significant as Team Chinese Nations made its debut at the World Cup. It was also Ms. Caswell-Sou’s first appearance in this prestigious international tournament. Born in the UK to Chinese parents, she highlighted the meaningful connections she built with other players from the global Chinese diaspora during the competition.
Team Chinese Nations comprised skaters from diverse regions, including North America, New Zealand, and Australia. In preparation for the competition, the team utilized the platform Discord for strategic planning and communication. Moreover, six members of the team were based in the UK and participated in a training session organized by the Oxford roller derby team ahead of the event.
During the tournament, Ms. Caswell-Sou expressed pride in being part of a team that showcased representation from the Chinese community. Despite starting with low expectations, the team ultimately finished 37th overall. They achieved a notable victory against South Africa and had commendable performances against teams like the West Indies and Fuego Latino. The team had low rankings going into the competition due to the absence of prior statistics and limited training time, with only one session together the day before their matches.
At the conclusion of the World Cup, Team Chinese Nations received the Spirit Award, which recognized the team’s energy, enthusiasm, and sense of fun on the track. Following the tournament, interest in joining the team increased significantly, a trend that Ms. Caswell-Sou found encouraging and promising for the future of roller derby within the community.
While the team did not include skaters from mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau, Ms. Caswell-Sou expressed hope that their debut participation would raise awareness about roller derby and draw attention to their cultural heritage. The event served as a platform not only for competition but also for fostering a supportive community that emphasizes inclusivity and representation in sports.
The Roller Derby World Cup this year has set a new benchmark for the sport, showing the growing diversity and reach of roller derby globally while also providing a significant cultural connection for players like Li Caswell-Sou. Her journey reflects the changing landscape of sports, where representation matters deeply, and teamwork transcends geographical boundaries.
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Additional Resources
- BBC News: Article 1
- Wikipedia: Roller Derby
- BBC News: Article 2
- Google Search: Roller Derby World Cup
- BBC News: Article 3
- Google Scholar: Roller Derby
- BBC News: Article 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Roller Derby
- BBC News: Article 5
- Google News: Roller Derby results
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