A SEEMINGLY unconventional sports team is a celebrating championship success.

Taking the mantel from The Well, Border City Roller Derby is now the Organisational Champion when it comes to diversity.

They received the award at the Diverse Cumbria awards. Previous winners include OutREACH, Triple A, and Prism Arts.

Garryck Holmes, 29 from Denton Holme, set up the team almost four years ago with a colleague after being inspired by a school friend who skates for Team England.

“It’s already a diverse and inclusive sport, that’s what draws people in,” he said.

The team prides itself on being accepting of everyone no matter their background, race, gender, or sexuality. It is this acceptance that the judging panel of the Diverse Cumbria Awards found so inspiring.

Ben Vollans, creator of the awards, said: “Their attitude towards others, no matter their race, sexuality, gender identity or any other number of diverse strands set them apart from the other shortlists as they were making a push to make the ‘sports world’, which can often be seen as a white male thing, into an all inclusive space where everyone can join in and have fun.”

Those taking part agree.

“If you’re a decent person, you’re more than welcome to apply no matter what your background is,” said Siobhan Stockdale, 41, from Old Harraby.

Roller Derby is an unconventional sport that can look aggressive and terrifying to the uninitiated.

Competitors skate anti-clockwise around a rink trying to score points by overtaking the opposing team.

“It’s not as scary as it looks,” Mr Holmes commented.

It is one of the few sports that allows men and women to compete against each other as they are both evenly matched.

But, members of the Carlisle-based team describe the group as being more like a family than a sports team.

Mel Warwick, 40, from Walton, said: “It’s a family atmosphere which you don’t normally get in sports.

“Roller Derby teams just mesh together.”

“Everyone has something to bring,” she added.

“The diversity of our team is what makes us.”