Calgary’s roller derby women say they need a practice facility to keep their skills sharp, or they may be forced onto city pathways.
All four city teams previously shared a practice facility, with each designated one evening a week to work on their hip checks and shoulder barges. The private facility, which has been home to the women’s practices for almost two years, is no longer able to cater to their needs due to cutbacks.
Not being able to practise has put the women “between a rock and a hard place,” said Janelle Cederwall, captain of the Cut Throat Car Hops.
The Calgary Roller Derby Association is looking for a facility that has at least 15,000 square feet of space and floors that are either polished concrete or hardwood.
The league has been gaining popularity since its inception more than three years ago, adding 30 new skaters this season, said Heather Trotter, Calgary Roller Derby facilities co-ordinator.
The not-for-profit organization has three teams – the Cut Throat Car Hops, Thrashin’ Lassies and B52 Bellas – and one travelling team, the Hellion Rebellion.
The association has scoured the city looking for options, with no success.
“I called the community centres and arenas,” Trotter said. “We may have to wait until the arenas are drained in mid-April.”
Saturday communal practices are held at the Legacy Sports Centre but do not allow teams the chance to “strategize,” said Scarla Maim, captain of the Thrashin’ Lassies.
The women occasionally skate at Lloyd’s Rollersports Centre, but the roller rink does not suit the physical style of play they engage in.
It’s tough to develop players and teams without a practice site, said Maim.
“We run into a roadblock every day,” she said.
The travelling Hellion Cocoa Tuffs will play Saturday in a fundraising game versus the Lucky Charms at the Seven Chiefs Sports Complex, on the Tsuu T’ina reserve. Most of the proceeds from that event will be injected back into the league.
gpearson@theherald.canwest.com
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