Roller Derby
Insider Info
Racing around a track on roller skates, slamming into other players, coming
up with a cool nickname... welcome to the world of roller derby.
Roller derby is a fast-paced team contact sport that has grown in popularity
in recent years. Considering that it's fun, exciting, good exercise and just
a little bit rebellious, it's easy to see why!
Roller derby competitions are often called bouts. They can happen in different
places. The most common place is in a roller rink. But if there's no roller
rink nearby, bouts can happen in event centers or arenas, as well as recreation
centers, hockey rinks and warehouses.
Roller derby has been around since the 1930s and has experienced waves
of popularity. The sport has gone through eras where it was more of a show
than a serious sport, but those days are history. It's become extremely popular
again lately.
Starting in the early 2000s, roller derby has been growing in popularity,
predominately as a woman's sport. There are over 1,450 amateur roller derby
leagues around the world, according to derbyroster.com.
Although not confirmed yet, roller derby is being considered for the 2020
Olympics. It appears that the sport's popularity is only going to get bigger.
Unlike a lot of sports, roller derby is dominated by women. However, that's
changing, as more and more men are getting involved in it. James Brains is
the executive director of public relations for the Men's Roller Derby Association
(MRDA). He says that men have slowly gained acceptance within roller derby.
"MRDA even has teams in the UK and Canada now," he says. "The growth of
MRDA from four teams when founded in 2007 to its current 31 teams is more
evidence of the popularity of roller derby among men."
You don't necessarily have to be in great shape to take part in the fun,
but the better shape you're in, the more you will excel. Roller derby can
be a lot of work: it's like running with extra physical elements.
If you end up living and breathing for roller derby, you may be able to
find work related to it, but don't bank on it. There are very few people who
make a living off of roller derby. Ways to make money off the sport include
teaching skating clinics, selling gear and getting hired at an association,
which often involves doing technical work or finding sponsors.
Getting Started
There's a lot to learn with roller derby. Most leagues have training programs
that you go through before you get involved in a roller derby. These can last
for up to eight months, says Brains, because the leagues want to make sure
everyone is playing safely.
Brains points to the "minimum skills requirements," which include "being
able to do 27 laps around the track in five minutes, demonstrating correct,
balled-up form when falling, ability to skate safely when surrounded by skaters,
and others. So, basically, the only physical requirements are an adequate
level of stamina and being able to be hit by someone on skates. Other than
that, anyone can play. We have a 73-year-old skater on our team!
"A lot of training and instruction is needed," Brains continues. "But the
beauty of having such a tight-knit community is that people are always willing
to step up and help a willing learner. There are so many little nuances to
the game that after playing for over three years, I'm still learning things.
But, the great thing about roller derby is that you get out of it what you
put in."
Kali Schumitz is the public relations manager for the Women's Flat Track
Derby Association. She says that roller derby is definitely "not something
you learn in a day." She says the leagues in the association usually have
an entry-level training program.
"It can often take a year or more before a new skater is competing on a
team, depending on the individual league and the skating background of the
individual skater," she says. "In addition, skaters are always learning and
developing their skills! Leagues have multiple practices per week and there
is a growing market for roller derby training camps and private coaching sessions
led by the top skaters and coaches in the sport."
Kelly Duncan plays roller derby. She says that it can be hard at first,
but not giving up is key.
"Stick with it!" she says. "It can be a tough learning curve in the beginning,
and you might fall down a lot. But keep getting up, and always remember to
have fun, no matter what level you are playing at."
You'll need to buy some equipment as well. There are quad skates (roller
skates), as well as a helmet, mouth guard, elbow pads, wrist
guards and knee pads.
"A new pair of starter quad skates is the most expensive piece of equipment
and usually runs around $150, but you can often find used skates cheaper,
and they'll work just as well," says Brains. "Pads, helmet and mouth guard
also cost about $150 combined. It is often expensive when first starting out,
but there are also ways to make it cheaper: teammates may have old pads to
lend or give. It just takes a little asking around."
"Talk to the skaters with your local league," says Schumitz, "and they
will be glad to point you in the right direction and help you get started!"
Associations
Men's Roller Derby Association
The international governing body of men's roller derby
Internet
:
http://www.mensrollerderbyassociation.com
Women's Flat Track Derby Association
The international governing body of women's flat track roller
derby.
Internet
:
http://wftda.com/
Links
Derby Roster
Find a roller derby league near you; there are 1,450 worldwide,
according to this site!
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