Roller derby leagues are very inclusive and encouraging. No skating experience? No problem - we’ll teach you. We hold Fresh Meat classes for new skaters to learn how to skate and play. After 6 weeks of classes you’re ready to get tested to ensure you can skate safely and then you join the league. I was one of the skaters who didn’t come from a skating background. I have kids and spent many years just focused on being a Mom. I went through the Fresh Meat program and I’ve now been skating for 5 years and love it. I don’t have an athletic background either, and no experience on a team sport. Now I play with the Dead and also on Team Alberta. I’ve become athletic, learned team dynamics, and developed the mental toughness to play competitively. In order to be conditioned for bouts, and to prevent injury, I do cross training outside of practice. I do weight training, plyometrics and cardio like running stairs, spin class, or skipping rope. I’ve asked my teammates to share their experience with derby. Scarstruck is a jammer on the house team the Berzerkers, the travel team the Dead,
and Team Alberta. She’s been playing almost 3 years and previously played 14 years of ringette. When she got into university she missed the team sport experience. Her Dad told her about derby through a colleague of his and talked her into watching a game and she was hooked. Scar keeps fit by doing cross-fit, spin class and weight training. Her favorite thing about derby? The aggression with all the exciting hard-hitting action! Tuf Luv is a blocker/jammer on the house team the Slice Girls, blocker on the travel team the Dead, and blocker on Team Alberta. She’s been playing for 8 years and had previously curled for 10 years. She learned of derby through an Eville booth at a tattoo show (we do lots of promotion). She went to the new skater night without even watching a game and fell in love with it even though she fell and bruised her tailbone that first time. Tuf keeps fit by doing weight training, plyometrics and cardio on the treadmill and elliptical. Her favorite thing about derby? The competitiveness and the challenge. There is always something to improve on and challenge yourself with. And the camaraderie with your team and within the league. And the awesome friends you make.
Want to learn more? Check out our website at evillerollerderby.com. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. Check out our website for ticket information. Want to join derby? Contact us at: info@e-villerollerderby.com for information on the next Fresh Meat intake.