Australian roller derby champions Lady Trample has just become the best roller derby player in the world following the end of an undefeated season culminating in a grand-final win.
The Melbourne-born jammer, whose real name is Samantha Pepperell, was named MVP after her team’s hard-fought victory against Poland, who were the defending champions.
The All Stars took out Polish team the Rose City Rollers at the Women’s Flat Track Derby grand final match in Philadelphia on Sunday, making them the 2017 world champions.
Lady Trample was named MVP after the Women’s Flat Track Derby grand final win on Sunday
The All Stars have taken home ‘Hydra’, the most contested Women’s Flat Track Derby trophy
Melbourne team the All Stars are now the roller derby world champions after winning the final
‘My team has been working hard for years and I’ve been with them for the last two seasons working towards taking this out,’ Lady Trample told ABC following their victory.
The All Stars were the first international team to make the finals, and are now first international team to take the gold medal.
‘We played our game. We weren’t worried about what they were doing,’ she said. ‘We won without a doubt and I couldn’t be more stoked with the outcome.’
The Victorian team clinched a convincing 180-101 victory over the Polish Rose City Rollers
Known as the Hydra, the Women’s Flat Track Derby trophy is the number one contest in the world of flat track roller derby.
The 2017 championship had teams from Sweden, the UK, Canada, USA and Australia also competing for the title that was ultimately taken out by the Lady Trample and the All Stars.
The All Stars established their dominance early, leading Rose City 99-32 at half-time.
‘We had control of the game from the very start, which was just an incredible feeling,’ she said.
Lady Trample was able to quickly lap Rose City with the help of All Stars blocker Shaina Serelson, leading her team to a 180-101 point victory over the Polish team.
Lady Temple (left) was able to lap the Polish jammer, aided by blocker Shaina Serelson (right)
A group of All Stars team members celebrate their victory with family in Melbourne this week
Now back in Melbourne with the ‘Hydra’, Lady Trample said that she was overwhelmed and excited, but mostly proud.
She extended her thanks to all the skaters, officials, coaches, league members and supporters that have helped the All Stars to victory, and posted ‘This is our year!’ on Instagram.
Thousands of friends and supporters have flocked to the Victoria Roller Derby League’s Instagram page to cheer on the team and congratulate them on their well-deserved grand final victory.