Grace Giles

About Grace Giles

Roller Derby is the fastest growing womens sport in the world. I play for the Victorian Roller Derby League All Stars, we are currently ranked number 2 in the world out of 274 teams (World Flat Track Derby Association, WFTDA). Last year winning gold at World Playoffs and Bronze at world Championships. The WFTDA is a not for profit organisation. In order to compete in the WFTDA my team needs to travel to the USA at least 3 times a year. This is funded by ourselves personally and a small amount of fundraising through our league. I started playing Roller Derby in 2007. I have played every sanctioned WFTDA game with the Victorian Roller Derby League All Stars and represented Team Australia in the Roller Derby World Cup where we placed third. This has meant 10 self funded trips to the USA over the past 4 years.

Value to the Individual

I have been heavily involved in the sport since its inception in Australia back in 2007. To be the best athlete I can be, I train at least once 6-7 days every week both on skates and in the gym. Over the last few years I have changed my career path in order to help my own personal growth as an athlete and the development of the sport. I am a qualified personal trainer and study Exercise Science full time at La Trobe University. My goal from my studies is to help develop Roller Derby specific conditioning for athletes. The sport is so new and there is still very little research into the sport and the most effective way to train athletes and teams, both mentally and physically. I also coach the sport within my own league and other leagues across Australia, held seminars and strength and conditioning classes.

Why the funds are needed

This funding would help me cover my membership fees, insurance and most importantly travel costs. The stress of studying and saving the little amount of money I earn to compete is extremely difficult. This grant will help me be able to focus on being the best athlete I can be for my team, for Australia and for women in sport. We are heading to Eugene in the USA in April for The Big O tournament where we will play games against 4 of the World's top teams to get our required ranking points. We will then be heading back over to either the USA or Canada in September to compete in World Championship Playoffs and most likely we will make World Championships held in Portland, USA in November. These trips cost me between $1200- $1800 on flights alone, plus unpaid time off work and other travel costs. If I were to receive this grant I would cover the following: Flights to Eugene: $1300 Small fraction of League membership fees: $200 As a hardworking athlete, coach and representative of women in sport, this funding would mean the world to me.

Links

https://www.facebook.com/Giles-299898863473419/
https://www.facebook.com/VRDLAllStars/
https://wftda.com/rankings
https://www.facebook.com/wftda/?fref=ts
vrdl.org

Be sure to Like our Facebook page for news and updates.