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Roller derby coming to Cochrane on May 31

Roller derby is coming to Cochrane. On May 31, the Rocky View Rollers and the East Side Wheelers will square off in the Home Team Show Down at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
Roller Derby
Roller derby will be in Cochrane on May 31 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.

Roller derby is coming to Cochrane.

On May 31, the Rocky View Rollers and the East Side Wheelers will square off in the Home Team Show Down at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.

"We were contacted by the beginning of this season as well as the end of last season by a lady in Cochrane wanting to start a roller derby league so we've been building this idea since then," said organizer Sheena Galvin. "So she has enough ladies interested to get going so what we wanted to do was bring a roller derby showcase game to Cochrane and let the community and its members know what roller derby is all about. It's a match up between the Rocky View Rollers against our sister league in the East Side Wheelers from Indus. Then after that, we're hoping to gain enough interested to host a 'try it night' around September, October here in Cochrane."

This showcase game is in support of Big Hill Haven, Cochrane's women's shelter. Entry is by donation and all proceeds go to the shelter.

"They had also reached out to us as well," Galvin said. "We have supported local community groups within Rocky View and area with our league so as a non-profit organization, it's important to give back to the community and support community organizations like Big Hill Haven."

"That's one of the reasons why we're doing the partnership as well. To try and give them - as well as roller derby – some exposure within the community."

The Rocky View Roller Derby Association (RVRDA) started in 2012 and has grown at a fairly rapid pace over the last six years as roller derby is becoming a more popular sport with nearly 60 leagues across Canada ranging from British Columbia to New Brunswick.

"It's changed within the league itself. It's gained a ton of momentum even in the last two years I'd say in terms of interest and support ... basically roller derby is an all-inclusive sport. Any person, any gender, any body type can be an athlete and I think that's what's nice about roller derby," Galvin said.

"You don't have to be this fit, athletic type of person, you just want to be one of those people who come's out, has fun and has a group of people that supports you and just want to ultimately have fun. The growth in our league and community has just exploded. We have over 30 members within the Rocky View Rollers and that's not including the Indus league who also has 10-12 members. We have try it nights twice a year to help boost those numbers of course, but we also like to be active and seen in our community too within parades and that sort of thing."

"You essentially need 14 players to have a team so for the try it nights, we bring all the gear, you don't need to bring any of that stuff, you don't need any skills, you just need to bring a positive attitude and a water bottle in order to have fun. We gear you up with everything you need to try it and then can also help you find resources to try and help you find your own gear."

Roller derby is a family-friendly sport which is packed with entertainment which Galvin hopes will bring some new fans to the sport.

"Well they (the community) can expect a family-fun event with two teams who are going to play an action-packed, fast pace game and if you haven't seen the sport before, it's pretty exciting," Galvin said.

"The nice thing about derby is even though it's this team versus that team, Edmonton versus Calgary for example, there's a rivalry but everyone basically goes out and celebrates after together. There's no bad blood and it's a really big loving community with skills and derby love. It's going to be a lot of family fun, with a cash donation for Big Hill Haven where the doors open at 7 p.m. and the game starting at 8 p.m."

Tickets will be available at the door and there will also be raffle and bake tables, face painting for the kids and a half time show.


Troy Durrell

About the Author: Troy Durrell

Troy is the Sports and Entertainment Reporter for the Cochrane Eagle.
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