Sky TV film crew at Fenland roller rink to encourage people to try a new sport

Michael McInerney at Skaters in Walpole Highway Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

A film crew from Game Changers, a Sky One programme, came to Skaters in Walpole Highway to film a training session with the roller hockey club.

Players from across the east of England descended on the purpose built roller rink to show off their sport along with Carlos Amaral, the head England coach and Keith Allen, the president of the National Roller Hockey Association.

Abie Davis, Walpole club secretary, said: “Roller hockey is not a mainstream sport in this country, although it is very popular in many countries across the world.

“It’s a fast, exciting, non-contact sport played by young and old in roller rinks and leisure centres across the country.

“We invited Game Changers along to show kids across the country what a great sport it is.”

“We train on a Tuesday evening between 6pm and 8.30 pm and all beginners are welcome.”

Sky Sports stepped up its drive to get more children involved in sport with the launch of Game Changers, a Saturday morning TV show, that features regular appearances from sports stars including David Beckham and Jessica Ennis-Hill.

David Beckham hosts football master classes during the series and Olympic champion Jessica teaches the seven events of a heptathlon.

The show is presented by Olympic Gold medallist Darren Campbell and Di Dougherty with paralympic wheelchair rugby captain Steve Brown among the show’s reporters.

Sky Sports managing director, Barney Francis, said: “We love sport and believe in its power to inspire young people to get active, have fun and learn new skills.”

He added it was important to show all levels of sport from elite to grass roots and include more unusual sports like the roller hockey.

Game Changers is broadcast at 9am on Saturdays. Skaters are waiting to hear when they will appear on the show.