Young roller skaters from the Towns are competing in an open international competition in the Netherlands.

The talented youngsters headed out to Moerkapelle to compete in the three day event which started on yesterday, Thursday, May 25.

The skaters, pictured here, are members of the Medway Roller Dance Club and each one skated in two compulsory dances for the level and a free dance to woo the judges.

The group, which meets several times a week to practice at the Woodlands Sports Centre at Woodlands Academy in Gillingham, saw several skaters travel out to the country to compete in the event.

Those who travelled out to take part were Sophie Piasecki, 12, who is from Gillingham and is a Robert Napier School pupil who has been skating for five years.

She was joined by Cameron Arnold, also 12, who is from Chatham, and is a Fort Pitt Grammar School pupil.

She has been skating for five years, and Sophie and Cameron are competing at Espoir level.

They were joined by Holly Boxall, 15, who is also a Robert Napier pupil who has been skating four years and Hana Busby, who is also a Fort Pitt Grammar School girl who has been skating for five years and lives in Rochester.

Both girls are at cadet level, while 17-year-old Max Montgomery who is in the 6th form at Brompton Academy has skated for seven years and Ursula Campbell from Faringdon is attending college and moving to Medway Towns this summer, been skating over 10 years, compete at youth level.

Victoria Jefferson, 21, from Rochester, is also taking part and has skated for 15 years and will compete at senior level and is now one of the club’s coaches.

Lisa Howard from the club, said: “Some of our skaters also competed in a mini championships in Hayward heath recently and the others went to Kettering for additional training in preparation for the Dutch competition and forthcoming British championships.

“The Medway roller dance club formed in 1949 in Rochester and we hold general skating sessions on Saturdays from 3.30pm to 5pm catering for all ages and abilities.

“This session is a mixture of general skating, games and dances with tuition in basic grades.

“Various competitive events are held throughout the year by the federation and affiliated clubs and all members within our club tuition programme are invited to take part in competitions and championships.

“There are opportunities to progress to international level and to skate abroad representing GB.

“Each skater will skate two compulsory dances for their level and a free dance in the Netherlands and this is a huge achievement for the skaters and the club are extremely proud of them.”

To find out more visit http://www.medwayrollerdance.btck.co.uk/ or call Lisa on 07799 255871.