ROLLER skates, a helmet and a bucket load of confidence are just three of the things you need to take up the latest sports craze roller derby.

Teams from across the country piled into Clements Hall Leisure Centre, in Hawkwell, to take part in the fast-paced high-octane Roller Derby Sevens.

Roller derby is a popular, fastpaced, full-contact sport, played on an oval track, by skaters wearing roller skates.

Teams attempt to score points by lapping their opponents, while avoiding attempts to knock them down or off the track.

Roller derby games normally feature teams of 14 skaters, playing for two 30-minute periods. Roller Derby Sevens only allows seven skaters a side, and the one-day tournament saw seven teams compete in a series of tough 21-minute endurance games, leading up to a nail-biting final, which saw the Allied Irish Derby lift the trophy.

John Webb, 34, and Caroline Grace, 30, who live in Westcliff and founded Essex Men’s Roller Derby, devised this new version of the sport.

“Inspired by rugby sevens and five-a-side football, we devised Roller Derby Sevens as an exciting, fast-paced version of the sport we love,” explained John. “Over the past ten years roller derby has grown rapidly in popularity, with teams in over 30 countries around the world.

There are more than 400 teams in Europe, with over 70 in the UK alone.”

Essex Men’s Roller Derby teamed up with Southend’s own women’s roller derby league the Seaside Siren Roller Girls to enter the tournament.

Rival teams featured skaters from neighbouring counties Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as London, Scotland, Ireland and even Amsterdam.

John said: “There was a big resurgence in 2009 and there were a few teams out there.

“London Roller Girls were the only ones in the UK and then it exploded. We have more teams in the UK now than in the whole of Europe. We’ve gone from two to three teams to 12 teams.

“It’s a full contact sport on roller skates – some people would say it’s rugby on skates.”

So with the roller derbymovement growing, how did John get involved?

He said: “I was living in London and went to a few games as a fan and then before there were any mens teams I was a referee.

“As the mens game grew, I got more involved and played in a mixed game and really enjoyed it, so much so that when the mens team went to the European Cup in 2012 I captained and we came third.”

Hundreds of spectators turned out over the weekend to watch the adrenaline-fuelled game and a new Essex team looks set to form.

John said: “I was quietly confident of our chances and thought we would do ok in the early stages, but the Irish took the win.

“Wewill definitely repeat the tournament and we had some really good feedback from people who came.

“I’ve been close to tears, it’s had such a brilliant response.

“I want to thank everyone that came along whomade it into a really big event. Parts of the day were really intense and everyone enjoyed themselves and got into the spirit of things.”

Novices are welcome to join in the fun with no fear of injury says John.

He said: “Before we let people on the track we give them the skills to skate and then get them going and we wear padding to minimise injury and work on footwork and skills during practice. Luckily we had no serious injuries over the weekend – one bloke was knocked and had a concussion, but on the whole it went really well.”

Essex Men’s Roller Derby have an open invite to join them at their training sessions, whether you are an expert or an absolute beginner on skates. They meet every Sunday, between 8pm and 9.30pm at Clements Hall Leisure Centre, in Hawkwell.

To find out more, visit facebook.

com/essexmensrd or email essex mensrollerderby@gmail.com