Skate-savvy kids in St. Louis—or those just curious about roller skating—now have a team to call their own.
Arch Rival Roller Derby, a St. Louis women’s league, and St. Louis Gatekeepers, a men’s league, are teaming up to bring a junior derby program closer to St. Louis. An information session for parents and kids will take place this Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. at Stacked STL.
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“It’s just a really different way to get kids active,” says Krista Grant, a skater for Arch Rival and a member of the coaching committee. “It’s a little bit funkier, but still a sport and a neat community.” She adds that in the past, many parents in the community have inquired about a junior team.
For those unfamiliar, derby is a team contact sport that combines speed skating and blocking strategies, and a sport suited to people of all skill and fitness levels.
“Arch Rival turned 10 last year,” Grant says. “It was definitely time to get something started [for the kids]… A lot of people from both the men and women’s league have kids that will be participating and have been involved in getting this set up.”
Aimed at kids ages 7–17, St. Louis Junior Roller Derby will initially begin with a boot camp at St. Louis College Prep from June 18–July 23 to gauge interest. If enough people want to get involved, they’ll start weekly practices. Grant says they’ll welcome all skills levels. “Our coaches really understand starting with the basics,” Grant says, such as learning to stop and to fall.
As the junior skaters progress through the skill levels, the long-term goal is to form a competitive team for bouts before or after Arch Rival and Gatekeeper games, and maybe ones against the nearby junior teams in St. Peters, Cape Girardeau, and beyond.
At the information session this weekend, parents and kids can hear more about the program, ask questions, and get a look at roller derby gear. Another information session is planned for June.
For more information on St. Louis Junior Roller Derby, email [email protected] or visit their website.
