Venus Bay’s Eden prepares for Aussie representation in France

VENUS Bay’s Eden Robertson continues her preparations for July’s Junior Roller Derby World Cup in Valence France, with the 17-year-old undergoing a rigorous training program for what will be an intense tournament.

The event takes place between July 28-30 with Australia battling four opponents on a single day, with each bout played over two 30-minute halves, ensuring players will need to focus on pre-game and post-game routines to maximise recovery and reduce injury risks.

Eden, who will be one of the team’s main Blockers, is used to representing Gippsland Ranges in monthly ‘Statewide Stampedes’, playing just a single match at each.

That highlights the value of an intense training regime for the Aussie squad, including monthly interstate sessions.

At the time of chatting to the Sentinel-Times, Eden was preparing to head to Brisbane, having already been to Adelaide and Hobart training sessions.

Each runs for six to seven hours.

“The first part of the session we do skills and building up our endurance and then for the other half of the training we go into full game play where we’re split into two teams and use our skills and teamplays we’ve learnt,” Eden said.

Having previously played junior roller derby in Dandenong prior to the pandemic, Eden started her involvement with Gippsland Ranges through the club’s Skatefit program, soon joining the adult league.

About a year later she became aware of an opportunity to apply for a tryout to determine the Aussie Junior Roller Derby World Cup squad, earning the opportunity to display her skills in a lengthy Toowoomba session.

“We did skills, knowledge and gameplay,” Eden said of the six-hour tryout at which she earned inclusion in the 20-person World Cup squad.

When not at interstate training, Eden keeps busy with daily workouts, with clubs including Gippsland Ranges sent details on what their Australian squad members need to work on.

The fitness and skill training demands Eden must meet come as a surprise to many.

“When people first hear about it, they think its’s really rough and that I’m just pushing people over, but it’s a lot more skill based and game plans rather than just being rough and doing what you want,” Eden said.

Nine countries will compete in the Junior Roller Derby World Cup, along with Team World, a side comprised of players from a mix of nations that don’t have sufficient player numbers to form their own team.

Australia placed fourth in the 2015 and 2018 Junior Roller Derby World Cups, with the 2021 event cancelled.

Both Junior Roller Derby World Cups took place in the United States, with USA West getting the better of USA East in the deciding bout of each tournament.

Canada outclassed Australia in the third-place playoff in both 2015 and 2018, with Eden and her teammates keen to break new ground.

One of just a couple of Victorians in the squad, she is excited to be heading to France to represent Australia.