Rolling into camaraderie: Derby brings diverse community together

Belinda Crockford has been playing for 13 years. She is the current caption of the adult team and a coach for the kids’ team. She said the game, overall is pretty simple

“ You have a team, and on the track, there are four players, and a Jammer, so five in total. The track looks like a race track and with both teams you have 10 players in total. Your Jammer is trying to get through the pack of skaters and the other team is trying to prevent that Jammer from getting through,” Crockford said.

Tia Comstock is playing her first season. Inspired by the movie Whip it starring Elliot Page, Comstock, decided to give it a try.

“ At first you kind of feel like a baby giraffe. You just kind of wobble about but after you get stable on your skates it is really fun,” Comstock said.

With players at times shoulder to shoulder, Comstock said the bond is like none other.

“I feel like you have a stronger of a connection if you play this sport with your friends because we help each other in that way, and that helps build your bond a lot stronger,” she said.

While pushing, shoving, and falling tend to be what is portrayed, the players say the physical aspect of the sport isn’t so bad once you learn how to fall properly.

“If you get low enough, and someone hits you, you can kind of absorb it by leaning into them,” Comstock said.

According to Crockford, the sport of Roller Derby has evolved with various levels of contact. Some leagues have little to no contact at all.

The sport is also universal and doesn’t require much to get started. It also welcomes a diverse set of players from moms who want to get out of the house to high school kids who just want to have fun after school.

“ You don’t need to have any experience. I mean I came from a hockey and ringette background but we have girls that have never skated, never played sports, and they just come out. We teach them all the fundamentals on how to skate, how to play the game, and it is great socialization as well.” Crockford said.

The Medicine Hat Roller Derby Association is currently recruiting new players for their adult and junior leagues. Anyone interested can contact them on Facebook or their website .

by Tiffany Goodwein

Rolling into camaraderie: Derby brings diverse community together

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