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Happy New Year, and welcome to the brand new Kalmar Union newsletter! For this first edition we have the following on the menu for you:

• State of the union
• Contest: a plushy for your merch ideas
• The Punch in March: ways to take part

Six months ago we were little more than an idea: Could we join forces to show the potentials of the Nordic nations roller derby against the world? Strengthen the bonds across borders? Nurture local leagues on our way and inspire future generations?

A happy Danish delegation at our first tryout

Already before playing a single game, we can reveal that the answer is YES: Our two tryouts so far (Gothenburg and Oslo) have shown some real potential, and connections strengthen every time we meet. As for local growth, we are learning from each other – and we are so happy to see the ball rolling in Finland: Did you see Kallio Rolling Rainbow's announcement just before Christmas about a new open-gender training group? Well, they are going live next week!

Screenshot from Facebook, click to see post

Less than four months away from World Cup we have one tryout left: Copenhagen 17-18 January (want to help us?). With over 30 participants this will be our biggest event yet! Shortly after, we will select a training squad, who will have a tournament to play (and organise) already in March.

We are indebted to Oslo Roller Derby, Västsvenska Roller Derby Sällskapet and Copenhagen Ladybugs for helping us organise our three tryouts, and to local officials making scrimmages possible. In Oslo, we also got to fight the A team in a scrimmage!

Oslo Roller Derby and Kalmar Union after scrimmage. Photo: Denise Azimarev

In the Nordics it's polite to arrive exactly on time – not late, but also not early. Our timeline is engineered to do just that: We will have time for two intensive weekend training with our soon-selected training squad and one two-day tournament between February and May. Our uniforms will arrive just in time for our home tournament (sneak peak in our next newsletter), and our webpage and first batch of merch will be up shortly!

Finnish delegation at our first tryout, with our coach Margrete III (Riina) on socks

Say hi to the Thingy, our mascot! You can find it inside our logo, and it will show up on all kinds of merch. This hand-made plushie is a one-of-a-kind, and it could be yours: All you have to do is to go to this Facebook post or this Instagram post, and leave a comment with an idea for merch we could produce. Deadline: 15 January.

How can we best prepare for World Cup? By organising our own six-game tournament, of course! The great Nordic Punch takes place in Gothenburg 7-8 March, and we have four visiting national teams: Power of Scotland, Team Spain, Wales Roller Derby Cymru and Kalmar Union.

Here are some ways you can take part:

• Come watch some high-quality derby! We will let you know when ticket sale opens. Can't come to Gothenburg? We will stream with no pay wall.
• Join as an official! Our tournament is in good hands: Ginny (THR), Awkward Moment (HNSO), Divide by Zero (CHR) and K-Lateral Damage (CHNSO) have taken on the responsibility of head officials. Know someone who might want to join the crew? Apply by 25 January!
• Want to be part of our tournament machinery? We have small and big tasks, adaptable to all experience levels and all bodies. If you live close to Gothenburg, maybe you have room for a derby guest or two? You can register as a volunteer here.
• We are specifically seeking photographers and announcers, and made a form for you here.

Kalmar Union is the Nordic open-gender roller derby national team. We're here to strengthen the sport across borders and inspire future generations of Nordic roller derby by competing under the same banner at the World Cup!

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© Kalmar Union (kalmarunionrd@gmail.com)