Trower in Jewish team for roller derby world cup

When Ricci Trower found a flyer in her mailbox five years ago for the only co-ed roller derby league in southeast Melbourne, she had no idea it would lead her on a journey to the unique sport’s international stage, at this stage of her life.

Trower, who turns 49 in mid-May, has already since become a Kingston City Rollers Derby League player, an accredited coach, and president of that league.

Last December, she gained selection in a Jewish diaspora team, cheekily called Schmear Campaign, that will compete in the 2026 Men’s Roller Derby World Cup in Orléans, France, from April 30 to May 3 – a tournament that has an open gender policy, enabling teams to include women.

She is the only Australian in the team – which has a skating bagel logo – and comprises mostly of experienced players from the United States, several from the United Kingdom, and a Spaniard.

Trower told The AJN before her flight to France that she still has to pinch herself about it all.

Keeping that random flyer led to following her local league’s Facebook page, and then signing up for its ‘Learn, Try, Join’ program less than three years ago.

She’d been a handy inline hockey player as a teen, and although she was fascinated when watching a roller derby game for the first time, she said “I thought I could never play it”.

That all changed when she surprised herself, and the coaches, on day one of the program.

“I suddenly remembered all the skills of balance that I had from inline skating, and realised that although I had a lot of things to learn, the foundation was there,” she said.

“I had two very young children at that point, and I felt like I was kind of losing myself, and needed my own challenge.

“I remember telling my husband Andy that I have to do this, but it’s going to be a huge commitment, and he said go for it. It felt like I was coming alive again.”

After just three months of intense training, Trower was ready to play her first game – a Kingston City Rollers record.

With a playing nickname of ‘Crush’ , her specialty is blocking opposing teams’ scorers, called jammers, by using her body.

“I love the physicality of it, but there are many rules to ensure safety – it’s not like how roller derby has often been dramatised in movies.”

Trower applied to be in the Schmear Campaign’s 16-player world cup squad, and when she received an acceptance email weeks later, she was “flabbergasted.

“I’m pretty time poor, as I work full-time, and I’m also studying for an MBA, but this was such an incredible opportunity.

“And what got me to commit was that my older brother, Brett Morris, insisted on coming with me, and he will be the team’s photographer.”

The Jewish diaspora team will play Ireland, the Netherlands, and Mexico in qualifying matches in the first two days of the 24-team tournament, which Australia has entered a team in called the Wizards.

Trower said the Schmear Campaign’s goal is to qualify for the final two days of the tournament, and hopefully even finish in the top eight, but equally “to do the team proud, meet other Jewish players, and enjoy the experience”.

She said the team’s members have been getting to know each other via an online chat group, discussing tactics, and settling on what on-court calls and terminology to use, “to make sure we’re all on the same page”.

The Schmear Campaign has its own Facebook site and merch, and there is a Men’s Roller Derby World Cup Facebook site.

Trower hopes her involvement in the team can spark more interest in roller derby back home, particularly within the Jewish community.

“I’d love to see roller derby get some more traction, as there are only a few other Jewish players I know of in my home town.”

Trower has set up a fundraising page to help cover travel and accommodation costs.

To make a donation, visit https://gofundme.com/f/help-me-play-derby-in-france-and-get-a-terrible-portrait