ESTEVAN — Ella Gudmundson’s skills in roller derby have earned her a spot on Team Canada for an upcoming international competition.
Gudmundson, who spent years with the Estevan Junior Coaler Rollers program, has been selected to compete at Junior Roller Derby World Cup in Valence, France, from July 28-30. Nearly 100 people attended tryouts in Red Deer, Alta., and in Ontario, in an effort to make the team. Seven of them were from Estevan.
Thirty-five players were picked, including Gudmundson.
“Everyone was looking pretty good,” said Gudmundson. “But I still felt confident in myself as I’ve played high-level roller derby for years now.”
Other teams entered for the Junior World Cup are from France, the U.S., Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark, Australia and the U.K. There will also be a team comprised of players from countries that didn’t have enough players to enter a team.
Gudmundson started playing with the Coaler Rollers nine years ago when she was in Grade 4. At that time, she gained her roller derby moniker of Killer Ella. Fittingly enough, she has worn the number of 911. She was drawn to the sport because she loves the people who are involved.
“Everyone is very welcoming, and I really like the contact and the competitiveness of it all,” said Gudmundson. “I like the fact that you get to travel a lot with it, and it’s a unique sport.”
Roller derby makes her feel strong and powerful, but the people are her favourite part.
“Some of my best friends I’ve met through roller derby,” she said.
After leaving the Coaler Rollers, Gudmundson joined the Gapland Smashers, which is a provincial team that allowed her to compete at a higher level. Then she moved on to play with the Miss Demeanors out of Regina, and she also played with senior teams such as the Weyburn Straightjackets.
“Throughout everything else, I played when they needed a pick-up skater, just an extra skater, so I’ve always been looking for opportunities to play.”
She knew a few players on Team Canada before tryouts, and became acquainted with a few others during tryouts. She’ll get to know a few of them better in April prior to the international competition through a practice in Toronto and a couple of exhibition games, including one against Team France and another against a U.S. team.
Once they arrive in France, they’ll get one more chance to practise together before their first game.
Gudmundson is grateful to the Coaler Rollers for their contributions to her development.
“I wouldn’t have been involved with roller derby at all if it weren’t for local roller derby starting up,” said Gudmundson.
She has been coaching the program for the past year as well, including the other players who were in Red Deer for tryouts. She hopes that these kids see the opportunities that can exist in the sport.
“I think 2025 will be the next opportunity for Team Canada. I believe that I will see more Estevan players showing up,” said Gudmundson.
Gudmundson has found a passion for the sport, and she expects to continue to play roller derby, whether it be with Team Saskatchewan, in senior roller derby or with anyone else that will give her the chance to play
