Calgary All-Stars clutches roller derby gold against favourite Montreal
Posted Jun 13, 2026 10:52 am.
The Calgary All-Stars capped off an eventful 2026, upsetting the odds-on favourites Montreal in the gold medal match of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association North America championship.
Holding a slight lead, All-Stars co-captain Ruthless Red explains how her teammates — some even skating for Team Canada — helped seal the victory against Montreal’s New Skids on the Block after killing off a penalty late in the game on June 7 in Waterloo, Ont.
“The blocker was going to do offence right away in order for us to come out of the box and get a lead and then call the gem off while still maintaining our win,” she said.
Red calls it an emotional win after what has been a tumultuous season for the squad, both on and off the track, explaining there were issues for some teammates crossing the U.S. border.
“Which means we weren’t able to go down to the states to play two or three big tournaments throughout the year like we normally do,” she said.
She says the All-Stars then decided to only travel within Canada to support those teammates.
“We had made the choice that if one of our teammates could not cross the border, we all were not going to cross the border and just kind of be a united front that way,” Red said.
They also had to adopt new strategies, new opponents in preparation for regionals, and for a perennial powerhouse like Montreal, which also features members on Team Canada.
An operating room nurse by day, Red’s goal is to spend the summer helping fundraise and support for her team’s voyage to the worlds in Melmo, Sweden, this October.
“We are always open for sponsorships. I’ve got a few emails going around already, so that is hopeful,” she said.
“One of our teammates is a baker, and she is actually known for her famous cheesecakes, which they sell out so quickly, and then we’ll probably have a GoFundMe.”
You can support the All-Stars at the Calgary Roller Derby Association’s year-end event at the Acadia Rec Complex on June 27.
