SKATERS from Southend’s roller derby team are celebrating after being selected to compete in the World Cup.

Jade O’Neill and Rebecca Ryan, both 26, from Seaside Siren Roller Girls, were chosen for the Team Scotland training squad ahead of the Blood and Thunder Roller Derby World Cup 2014.

The girls, who are both from Westcliff, endured a gruelling set of try-outs to secure their place on the team.

Jade is a test manager for the Seaside Sirens and a primary jammer for the Sirens All Stars.

She said: “After travelling up to Grangemouth for tryouts and enduring a gruelling set of drills to test our skills, followed by scrimmage, we are delighted to have made the training team.

“We will be playing with some of the country’s best skaters and the thought of competing against some of the teams taking part is phenomenal.”

Both have been playing roller derby for more than three years.

Jade progressed through the league’s Freshmeat programme for new skaters, and Rebecca, a music teacher, began her skating career in London with the worldrenowned London Rollergirls.

As part of Team Scotland, the girls will travel to Dallas, Texas, for the competition in December, and will go up against teams from across the world, including Team England – whose team manager is Seaside Siren Roller Girls member Laura Jones.

The duo will prepare for their game when the Seaside Siren All Stars take on Kent Roller Girls on Saturday, February 22, at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre in Garon Park, Southend.

Doors open at 4pm and the match begins at 4.30pm.

To buy tickets, visit www.seasidesirens.com or purchase them on the door.