A group of women from the Sunshine Coast are ready to rock 'n roll derby style with the formation of a women's flat track derby team.
Willow Heaton, a Coast resident, mother and art student, had a dream of starting the team last year. She approached Verna Chan, owner of The Garage personal training studio to ask her if she was interested in helping out and/or skating and joining the team.
Together they went on a crusade to recruit members and raise awareness about the sport, which has been gaining popularity throughout North America and abroad. In B.C. alone there are already several active teams in Vancouver, Victoria and the Interior.
Through some tenacity and with the help of more interested women along the way, there is now a dedicated group of women getting together for weekly training sessions at The Garage in Gibsons and meeting for weekly skate dates.
"We started skating last summer and the interest just started getting bigger," Heaton said. "It's empowering to start something like this, something for women's sports. We feel a real sense of community and team unity when we get together to skate and train."
The Sunshine Coast Roller Girls plan to register soon as a league with the Canadian Women's Roller Derby Association with the intent on having a team or possibly two ready for the 2011 roller derby season.
"We have support from all the other teams. We've talked with a team in Colorado who has said whatever we need to get started, they could lend a hand," said Heaton. "This is a new sporting and social choice for women on the Coast. It's exciting to be a part of."
Heaton said once they get their league started, games would be played at the Gib-sons and Area Community Centre. There is also the idea of forming an all-star team for off-Coast matches and maybe forming a junior team as well.
"There are not a lot of opportunities for girls on the Coast, so we'd like to change that," Heaton added.
In the meantime, the roller girls are actively recruiting team members, referees, fans, volunteers and sponsors. They are also seeking donations of practice roller skates and safety gear such as knee, elbow and wrist pads, and skateboard helmets. They had a table set up at Sunnycrest Mall last Saturday as part of the Capilano University outdoor adventure fair, and Heaton said they got a great response from the public. They will also be holding a fundraiser at Molly's Lane Market on Saturday, May 1.
Those interested in finding out more and/or joining the group can find them on Facebook (Sunshine Coast Roller Girls) or come out to free workouts at The Garage Monday nights at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at 8:30 or for skate sessions Tuesdays at 5 p.m. at Davis Bay Elementary School or Sundays at the Elphinstone Secondary School track at 10:30 a.m. You can also contact Chan for more details at 604-886-3114 or email [email protected].
