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If my schedule provided time for an extracurricular activity, I just might give roller derby a try. Although I'm not much into sports, this one caught my fancy when I watched the local Morgantown Roller Derby team practice.
I went to write about the team and the sport, and left adding their next game to my calendar.
I spoke with Beth Hollingshead, aka Ellie Vader (members get to choose a roller derby name for themselves), a member of MRD and a bench coach.
Beth said she loves the sport's community. A common phrase within the community, and one she used, is "derby saved my life." Beth found derby while in Texas, feeling isolated after suffering a loss. She knew physical activity would help, so joined a local team.
"Very literally, we have each other's backs," Beth said, explaining that close physical contact within game play creates a strong bond among the players. She said there is no room for pettiness when you have to actually physically hold up your teammates.
During game play, one player from the opposing team acts as a "jammer" who tries to pass the "blockers" on the other team. When the blockers work as a group, pressing together and bracing each other, this becomes a challenge. Each player she passes gains her team a point.
To make the game safer, derby rules define legal and illegal places players can hit each other.
The nature of the game builds camaraderie. Beth said local teams often swap players to fill gaps when a team lacks enough available members for a game.
Beth likes that the sport is not male-dominated, and a diversity of body types strengthens a team.
I noticed both of these things while watching the team practice - the strength of the players, throughout different body types felt inspiring.
Beth said at first when learning the sport, a lot of new muscles hurt. "You have wheels on your feet, and you're likely in your 30s," so your body will take time to adjust. But strength buildings up quickly, and Beth said it's addictive to see your own quick improvements.
A few weeks ago, the MRD team started a roller derby boot camp to teach interested folks how to skate, the rules and how to play the sport.
Beth said if participants know how to skate (not required), the first thing they teach them is how to fall safely, how to stop, and different strides.
The team currently has 13 active members, and needs more to fill a variety of roles, not all of them on the track: timekeepers, referees, as well as active players.
The team is always looking for sponsors. MRD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and often partners with other organizations to support local causes.
MRD just participated in a tournament last weekend in Wheeling, and have a game coming up on Nov. 8, at the Kingwood Civic Center. They will hold their annual Jingle Brawl on Jan. 2, also in Kingwood.
During a break in practice, Beth asked her teammates their favorite thing about derby. One quickly said "the community," another said "I'm here for the violence," and others quickly agreed. Another said she loves getting stronger, and another said she plays derby to sweat the toxins out so she can drink more beer when she gets home.
Despite the pushing and shoving (and legal/illegal hitting), Beth emphasized that derby is a family-friendly sport, and games are lots of fun for all.
"It's just such a positive experience - child-friendly, parent-friendly, full-contact sport," Beth said.