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 CAMPAIGNING FOR UK

 Roller Sports

Space 

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The campaign for flat, multi-purpose skate space has been going on in London for 20 years.  The UK are world champions in roller sports, the number of people skating is the highest it has been in 30 years and yet there is nowhere to officially practice outdoors in London.  Skate bowls are wonderful but there are so many other types of roller sports.   It's time to see them celebrated too.  This month we are featuring the campaign in Hackney. Hackney council who have an opportunity to lead the way and have the budget to redevelop a large site in Clissold Park.  They are running a public consultation but want to use that budget for gym equipment. 

 

Please sign our petition AND MORE IMPORTANTLY PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY FOLLOWING OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE which has been set up to show park designers and city planners the benefits of skating.  Get involved in your local campaign (links to other campaigns can be found on the community pages).  It is such a wonderful way to get fit and breaks down barriers across all ages and cultural backgrounds.   

 

Still not convinced? See more background below or find your local community on our 'locations' map.  

Why is this so important?

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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

We are a skating community that want to get more recognition and understanding of roller sports. We want to bring together the many, campaigns for mulit-purpose, smooth skate rinks across the UK.   Skate-bowls used to be unheard of and they are wonderful but they exclude the many, many other types of roller sports and also exclude skateboard learners.

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A simple, smooth rink may seem boring but it is the many ways that skaters use the space that make it extraordinary. Take a look at our instagram to see the beautiful ways dis-used spaces were used during lockdown and how the wonderfully collaborative activities broke down barriers across ages, cultures and the wide variety of skate sports. 

Marginalised for decades, roller skating has taken off during lockdown across all generations. Skate retailers are reporting a 800% uplift in sales of skates since the start of Lockdown 12 months ago.

 

It is an all inclusive amazing aerobic fitness activity that is also great at breaking down boundaries between such a diverse range of people.  It provides a community for teenagers, children and adults including wheel chair users to learn and share constructive skills in a socially distant way. It raises your heart rate and is excellent for muscle tone, dancing

coordination, core strength and all round fitness. Teachers are reporting waiting lists of 300 students who will need to conduct their classes on reclaimed park pathways - and that's only if they can find any that are smooth enough to skate on or if they don't get moved on.

 

It encourages communication between different generations and is a wonderful family activity. I have observed how skaters all learn together and teach one another. It is socially distant and for teenagers especially it gives a safe, SOBER, social environment to see their friends. After lockdown we really should be supporting activities that give a sense of belonging and encourage communication. 

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Skate bowls and park paths don't cut it. It really does require a completely smooth surface and there is virtually nowhere in London to do this.   A skate rink would give somewhere legal and safe for teenagers, adults and children to share and communicate - breaking down age and cultural barriers. 

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ACCESSIBILITY

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"I never knew how inclusive the roller skating community was until I got involved in a group called Wheels and Wheelchairs.  We do a weekly sports activity giving people with disabilities a chance to skate and enjoy the sense of speed.   As a wheelchair user I have always looked for different activities I can be part of but being part of the roller skating community is another level of inclusive.

 

I have never ever felt any different from anybody else because for one we are all on wheels and secondly it's a level playing field. If the ground is horrible none of us can enjoy it but if it's smooth we are all having fun."   http://www.wheelsandwheelchairs.co.uk

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We also have the support of Isaac Harvey, president of Wheels and Wheelchairs. He is currently training for a wheelchair / skater half marathon:

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TeamGB

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We are delighted to have the support of the TeamGB, five times, speed skating champion Adrian Wordsworth. The London Roller derby team are one of the top n the world. The UK have been on the frontline of elite level roller skating for over 10 years. Something we should be celebrating!

FAIRER USE OF SPACE

During lockdown I observed a set of 4 tennis courts being used by over 100 socially distanced people - a space that normally has a capacity of 8. Outdoor gym equipment, if it ever reaches capacity may only be used by 10 or 12 people.  Golf course, skate bowls - all are limited capacity.  I am not anti any of these activities. Far from it.  But many are sports associated with the elite. Roller sports are extremely diverse and accessible and there is no right or wrong way to do it.  Pick your style and enjoy. 

EXPERIENCE
COMMUNITY
locations

UK CAMPAIGNS

UNITED

SO, WHERE CAN I SKATE?

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After starting this campaign we discovered so many other campaigns that have been running for years across the UK. Roller Sports UK want to bring all the campaigns together and give us a louder voice.   If you are running a campaign,  know of a site or want to start your own campaign for skate bowls, velodrome or skate rinks, then please get in touch and we will add a link to your campaign here. We also have template letters and access to the media.

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Found a sneaky space to skate? Running a campaign? looking for local groups you can learn with? Or maybe you know of an official skate space? Whoever you are.. 

WE WANT TO PUT YOU ON THE MAP  

Boards, quads, inlines....  Together we have a louder voice and can raise the profile of all roller sports for everyone to enjoy.  Contact us at info@rollersportsuk.com for map additions. For now here are some of our favourite links..

Check back soon as we add new pages weekly

CONTACT
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