When she’s on the track Tracey Reid is one lady you do not want to mess with.
After years of trying various sports, she just couldn’t find her niche. Then one day she was introduced to roller derby.
“A couple of my friends were involved, so it was always in the back of my head. One day I decided to go give it a try and I’ve been hooked every since,” she said.
In roller derby there are two teams of five players on the track at a time, four blockers and one jammer. Points are based on the amount of times the jammer can break through the other team’s blockers.
The sport can be played by men and women, as well as the younger ones. “The favorite part of my day is when I get to come to roller derby,” said 8-year-old Abigail Reimer, who plays jammer.
She noticed her confidence has increased since joining and she has learnt a lot about teamwork. “You can get points, and I like getting points. But I also like working with my team,” she explained.
Reid says in the last five years the sport has significantly grown. The Dames started with only a few women back in 2010, now between the adult and junior players they have around 50 members.
To some people Reid said roller derby may look rough and intimidating. “That’s kind of the fun of it all,” she said.
“The first time you get out and the first time you hit someone, you’re like ‘oh yeah, that’s why I’m here’.”
Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild is hosting its ‘Live Free, Skate Hard’ invitational this Saturday. Visit lethbridgerollerderby.ca for more information.
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