This month we toast the success of the region’s sporting stars, from skating champs Cambridge Rollerbillies to disabled riders who triumphed at national level

ON A ROLL

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Cambridge Rollerbillies are back - and on top form - having triumphed against opponents Nottingham Roller Derby in their comeback match.

The Rollerbillies, Cambridge’s only roller derby team, have been out of competitive action for two years, owing to the pandemic, though ran virtual socials throughout lockdown.

Team captain Donna Orbell explains: “Roller Derby is a huge part of our lives and it was really important to us to maintain the league, even when we couldn’t be getting sweaty together in a sports hall!”

The Rollerbillies - an amalgamation of the Romsey Town Rollerbillies and the Punt Rockers – convincingly beat Nottingham with a score of 208-98.

“We are totally thrilled with the result,” adds Donna. “Everyone had big smiles and had a great time being back on track in front of a home crowd. It was the best feeling. We can’t wait to continue our upward path at our next home game in October.”

Find out more about Cambridge Rollerbillies at rollerbillies.com

Images: Benjamin Valsler

TOM’S TRUST TRIUMPH

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Thanks to the spectacular success of a charity’s inaugural Newmarket Race Day, more than £40,000 has been raised to fund a psychologist for children with brain tumours.

Tom’s Trust - the Whittlesford-based charity, set up in memory of nine-year-old Tom Whiteley, who died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour - hosted a race day in the summer, with drinks reception, gourmet lunch, afternoon tea, auction, and a large helping of adrenaline-pumping racing.

“We raised so much awareness for the work we do and the children we help, and we are over the moon to have reached our fundraising goal,” says Deb, co-founder of Tom’s Trust. “We will now be able to expand the work we do across the UK, for so many children who desperately need more mental health support during such a difficult time in their lives. More than 500 children are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK each year, and we hope that one day we are able to support all of them, and importantly their families too.”

Find out more about Tom’s Trust at tomstrust.org.uk

TICKET TO RIDE

Five disabled riders from the Cambridgeshire College RDA returned from a national competition with eight rosettes, after wowing the judges in vaulting, showjumping, dressage, and Countryside Challenge.

Amongst those competing at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships in Gloucestershire was Lizzie Bennett, who also coached the team.

“For participants, the opportunity to compete at Hartpury is simply amazing. Since I joined the RDA and tasted my first Nationals in 2015, it has been my favourite weekend of the year,” explains Lizzie, whose awards included first place in dressage and first in Individual Vaulting Canter and Vaulting Pairs with teammate Eden Hays. “This event is special. It’s more than a competition: it’s a festival. It’s joyous and heart-warming and fun; encouraging, motivating, inclusive, celebratory and inspiring.”

The riders were able to make the trip to the championships thanks to a travel grant from People’s Postcode Lottery.