This month we would like to dedicate our Skater of the Month award to Sarah McMillan #7.
Sarah joined Glasgow Roller Girls in 2008 as a new skater, number x7x. She progressed through the league and showed us how it’s done many times as x7x, before she transitioned to the name we all know and love her under: McMillan #7. Somewhere in that time, we also followed suit and changed our name to Glasgow Roller Derby (always a trendsetter, that woman).
Long term teammate and friend, Lindsay “Haberbashery” Watson, said:
“Even before joining GRD I had the pleasure of skating on track with Sarah. My third game ever was against Glasgow when I skated for Auld Reekie Roller Girls at Roll Britannia and Sarah was not only an amazing opponent, she was also always really nice.
When I transferred to Glasgow I was really nervous but she made me feel so welcome. We have become good pals on and off track and she has always been there for me at difficult times in my life and I am so lucky to count her as a friend.
On track she pushes me as a teammate (GRD and Soy Division), makes sure I never give up but also that I acknowledge my successes.”
Taking a whip, back in the early days of GRG. Image courtesy of Wullie Marr Photography.
Sarah is a wonderful influence both on and off track; perhaps one of our favourite of her achievements outside derby is her daughter Amy who draws the most excellent pictures of her dancing.
Some fabulous artwork, courtesy of Amy.
Sarah has had a massive influence on many skaters, leagues and nations in the roller derby world. We’re pretty sure her modest nature will mean she doesn’t believe us or skims over this bit looking a bit embarrassed, but we’ll continue to tell you just how much impact she’s had in her career.
In 2014 she made the roster for Team Ireland and competed at the Roller Derby World Cup, which involved playing against many of her GRD teammates on Team Scotland! We were extremely proud of her for this achievement, as were Team Ireland themselves:
Team Ireland, ready for the Roller Derby World Cup 2014. Photo by: http://www.roller-derby-on-film.co.uk/
Agony (Ann Prendeville-Burgess) said:
"Being on Team Ireland with Sarah was an absolute pleasure . Sarah has this natural way about her that makes you feel like family. I hadn’t met her before Team Ireland but had heard many positive things about her, which she lived up to. She could see when stress levels were rising and would face them with a smile and a rational word, allowing everyone to feel heard and move on. There’s so many good things I could say about Sarah, it’s safe to say I think she's bleedin' deadly."
Now in 2017 we’re gutted to announce that Sarah is retiring from roller derby; her last game for Glasgow Roller Derby was at the West Track Story tournament in Nantes. We’ve been absolutely unable to put into words how much Sarah has given to us as a league, we will miss her more than any words we can ever write can express.
Sarah: we will miss you, your frank way of speaking and the passion you bring to Glasgow Roller Derby, we hope that you’ll return again one day. Don’t be a stranger.
Love all of us,
Glasgow Roller Derby x
Image courtesy of Tsunami.