The Sunshine Coast Roller Girls (SCRG) are back and in full force to hit the flat track for the 2012/13 season.
Dec. 5, 2011, marked the first ever Roller Derby World Cup.
With wheels from all over the world meeting on the flat track in Toronto, Canada showed skill of global proportions and came in second. The Roller Derby World Cup added fuel to an already burning roller derby fire, creating interest and supporting roller derby teams and leagues already in action.
The SCRG held a recruitment drive in March and now has 29 members.
Recruitment will be happening again in September as the SCRG is hoping to bring in enough members to have two full teams locally.
"When we have enough women to make two teams, we can bout more often," said league president Amanda-Rae Hergesheimer (aka Hippy Longstalker).
"Frequent playing will bring our teams up to a competitive level, not to mention that more derby bouts will bring more entertainment to the Coast. Most importantly, however, playing more often and finding encouragement from one another and from the community will drive more support for women's sports."
If you are interested in learning how to skate or honing your skills, the Gibsons and Area Com-munity Centre has public skating five times a week.
May 5 was the season opener here on the Coast. This hard-fought game was a real display of the teamwork and energy that the roller girls have put in. Although the NWO from Chilliwack won the bout, full respect was given to the local girls, with the beverages flowing, the crowd engaged and the jams close every time.
The next home bout is Sept. 5 at the Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt.
While the team will also be playing off-Coast throughout the summer, there are a number of other roller derby events between now and the next home game.
"We love that people come out to the bouts and that tons of people are in the seats cheering for us and supporting us, but a strong league also requires community support throughout the year," Hergesheimer said. "Coming out to roller derby related events or just encouraging skaters when you see them around in town helps build camaraderie and community around roller derby."
Eat burgers and drink beer with all of these lovely ladies at the Blackfish Pub on Thursday, June 14. Pick up your tickets from your favourite roller girl and local business. They will also be displaying their nationalism again this year at the Canada Day parade in Sechelt, where last year, the skaters were collectively awarded the best walking float. There will also be merchandise for sale at Hackett Park including a 2013 roller derby calendar.
While democracy is "by the people, for the people," roller derby is often said to be "by the skater, for the skater."
An independent sport, roller derby has DIY attitude and the skaters, coaches, refs and volunteers make everything happen. Sponsorship is a key addition to a sustainable roller derby league and the SCRG has sponsorship opportunities available.
"Sponsorship is the lifeblood of any community organization, but we like to think of our sponsors as partners who have a stake in helping us grow and succeed," she said. "Our sponsors are very diverse, in the same way that roller derby skaters are drawn to the sport from all areas of life. All our partnerships are small business, and as such, we rely on the support and promotion from one another; that's how we build strong relationships and partnerships."
If you are interested in any of the roller derby activities, want to volunteer or just give support to your local league, contact them at [email protected]. Join their Facebook page and check out the new website at www.scrg.ca.
See you on the flat track!
- Submitted
