by Kelsey Penrose Megan Jackson Cortinas has been playing and coaching roller derby for 12 years; first, with the Carson Victory Rollers and then in 2014 she joined the Sierra Regional Roller Derby’s All-Star team. Now, she’ll be adding a third team to her resume: the World Cup Training Squad. The World Cup is a four-day bracket style tournament that occurs over the course of three days, with an elimination style for the last day. In 2018, 38 countries participated in the World Cup, Jackson Cortinas said. So far, the U.S. has brought home three championships, and will be defending their title again next year. Currently, there are 32 skaters on the training squad, but when the World Cup begins in July, only 20 will remain; all 32 players will have to fight for roster spots. “This provides an opportunity for the best players to get together and work together to build the strongest team for the USA,” Jackson Cortinas said. Over the next nine months, there will be three to four training camps where players travel and practice together for a few hours every day. “They have not given us many details but I assume it will be similar in how try outs went with skills and scrimmaging,” Jackson Cortinas said. “This will be the time to also work out positions and strategy.” When it comes to roller derby, Jackson Cortinas is the ideal spokesperson. She not only loves the sport for herself, but she is an advocate in spreading the sport and encouraging others to join up. “Honestly, I do really enjoy it because I am good at it. But, there have been times in my life that I was only coaching so I had to reflect on why I was still around if I wasn't scratching that itch,” Jackson Cortinas said. “I love watching light bulbs go off in skaters heads when something finally clicks. I love seeing friendships and bonds be created on and off the track. I love watching my skaters grow and achieve things and light up.” Roller derby is traditionally a women-led sport, and while many may want to join up, there are some who are nervous to try. Jackson Cortinas said this is due to a misconception of the sport. “I think there are a lot of misconceptions about playing roller derby. For one, usually people think they need to be tough or mean to play, but some of the sweetest people play roller derby,” she said. “You definitely can't be a pushover, and sometime skaters start out that way and learn how to protect themselves. Second, a lot of times, people think you need to be athletic, have played sports before, or already know how to skate. I've coached new skaters for over a decade and seen it all, and seen great players who didn't come from these backgrounds.” Jackson Cortinas is also the mother of a toddler, and becoming a mom has helped shape her relationship with roller derby. “Over the last few years, I have definitely worked on how I present myself while playing,” she said. “There was a time I would not have been proud of how I acted as an athlete. Becoming a mom, it definitely holds me accountable because I always want to demonstrate that higher level of play with good sportsmanship and respect for other players and officials. I would never tolerate my child acting how I used to when I started roller derby, but I also need to be responsible for showing her how to be a great athlete through constantly working on myself.” Jackson Cortinas also advocates for other women — especially moms — to make time for themselves whether it’s roller derby or any other hobby. “I also believe it is so important for women to have hobbies and interests outside of their homes, partners, and families,” she said. “It’s important for children to see their mothers investing in themselves, taking time to find enjoyment in activity, and working on improving themselves. I often tell our members that you can't pour from an empty cup. Meaning, if you are not fulfilling your own needs, it will only make filling the needs of your loved ones that more difficult.” You can learn more about the Roller Derby World Cup, which will take place July 3-6, 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria, by visiting https://rollerderbyworldcup.com.