It has been a whirlwind experience for local roller derby athlete Cecilia McCaskill, who recently took part in the Junior Roller Derby World Cup.
Known as Fireball in the roller derby world, McCaskill travelled across the globe to represent both her country and her community in a sport that means a lot to her. However, one of the toughest challenges came after she returned home. She said, "It’s like I went back in time when I got home. So it’s hard to readjust with that, but it’s really good. It was really fun, and a really good experience — got to meet a lot of different people."
McCaskill arrived in Australia a few days before the competition to adjust to the time difference and to bond with her teammates on Team Canada. Their schedule was fast-paced from the moment they landed, with only an hour to grab a quick bite before a two-hour practice session.
Unfortunately, not all athletes were so lucky. Several teammates and coaches experienced flight delays that left them stuck in Canada. Despite that, the practice was important to prepare the team’s gear. McCaskill explained, "Make sure we have the right wheels, break in the new wheels that we all just bought for this specifically." This was crucial in case they had to switch wheels before competing.
Beyond practice, the team found moments to relax and enjoy some of Australia’s unique wildlife. McCaskill visited a koala sanctuary and a raptor show featuring hawks and owls. She also noted that the packed schedule helped keep jet lag at bay, saying, "We could go on a walk or do something, like just kind of mosey on somewhere, so it wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t high intensity, but it kept us running, and it didn’t leave room for jet lag."
Competing at the World Cup was a nerve-wracking yet thrilling experience for McCaskill. She described it as her first appearance at the World Cup, saying, "It was super cool and very nerve-wracking." She added that the atmosphere was charged with anxiety and emotion, with everyone feeling a bit shaken, but overall, the experience was very positive.
Some of the standout matches for McCaskill included games against Great Britain, France, the USA, and Australia. She said, "We had a feeling with Great Britain — we were told last year it was a hard battle, but it’s a winnable battle. France and USA, we just need to keep the point spread down — that’s our win." She added that the team exceeded expectations in some matches. "We did stuff they didn’t think we could do. So we took our little wins. With Australia, we weren’t sure because it’s a whole different team than last year. We knew they were smaller and quicker than last year, so we didn’t fully know what was going to happen."
When Team Belgium had to withdraw due to a lack of eligible players, athletes from the USA, Britain, and France joined forces to form Team Friendship, which played against Team Canada in a friendly final game. McCaskill recalled that, despite being tired on the last day, everyone was very excited. She said they warmed up together and felt a strong sense of camaraderie as they headed into the match. She noted that they played strategically while keeping the game fun and safe.
Beyond competition, McCaskill appreciated the chance to connect with athletes worldwide who share similar goals. She spoke about meeting players from the US, Denmark, and Germany, explaining that tournaments happen frequently and involve widespread teams, especially in regions with less derby activity. She also noticed interesting differences in derby vocabulary across countries and even within Canada.
Playing through the entire tournament was a major highlight for McCaskill, who described the experience as an adrenaline rush. She said the games were hard but fun, comparing the feeling to riding a roller coaster.
Her roller derby career continues to grow. With one year left in junior derby, McCaskill plans to represent Estevan whenever possible while also playing for junior and adult teams in Regina. She mentioned she has been with the Regina team for about a year and a half.
Through it all, she has learned the importance of managing emotions during games. She advised putting aside self-doubt and anxiety to play smart and rely on skills.
Her mother and coach, Brandy McCaskill, expressed pride in her daughter’s dedication and performance, noting that Cecilia works hard balancing school, work, and practice and always gives 110 per cent on the track while playing smart. Brandy also praised the team for setting achievable goals and pushing themselves to improve.
Despite success, the local club struggles with participation. Brandy explained they are losing seniors due to aging out and have to promote younger players to fill gaps, which makes staying viable as a club challenging.
She said roller derby’s diversity is one of its strengths, and the athletes generally just enjoy being together and competing. She described the opening ceremonies, where athletes from different countries danced together holding hands despite not knowing each other.
Another memorable moment was the participation of Mexico’s first female division team. Brandy said they were thrilled just to be there and welcomed, regardless of their results.
Cecilia reflected on the pride she felt representing Saskatchewan, even if it was nerve-wracking to be the only person from the province. She said it made her proud of how far she has come as a skater from a small community.
Cecilia plans to stay connected with fellow players through a pen pal program, which has helped her build friendships beyond the rink. She has two pen pals — one from Denmark and one from the United States — and during the event, she collected jerseys from Australia, the U.S., Denmark, and New Zealand. For Cecilia, these connections made the competition feel more personal and meaningful, turning tough opponents into lasting friends.