Rolling to Success: Inside the World of Junior Derby BY AMANDA MILLER
W ith an emphasis on inclusivity, leadership, and team building, Junior Roller Derby provides young skaters with an opportunity to come together–regardless of skill level–and compete in a game that builds confidence and strengthens empowerment. Junior Roller Derby is a full-contact sport that is played on roller skates. While it may seem intense, there are plenty of safety rules to keep everyone safe. Played on an oval track, two teams– consisting of up to five skaters–skate counterclockwise in short games called “jams.” The goal is to score more points than the other team by lapping opposing players. Jams are divided into two, 30-minute halves, and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Creating an inclusive, community-like atmosphere is important to the Coach and League President of Crescent City Crush- ers’ Junior Derby Team. To do this, they attend social events together and encourage each skater to work with someone new whenever they have group work. Amanda Moulton, League President, shares, “With these kids, whenever they go into something Derby-related with their team, they don’t have to be taught how to treat each other. They automatically know that this is a place where we don’t stand for certain things, and we include everybody.” This much-needed experience will continue to thrive, especially with these kiddos taking the reins in the future. Coach Laura Blu explains, “These kids are so awesome. They’re going to take it by the reins and make it more amazing than we could ever imagine it being.”
To learn even more about the game and what it means to them, we heard from a few of the skaters of the Junior Derby team. Evangelina M. Age: 16 Derby Name: Bomber How did you first become interested in roller derby? I tried just about every sport there was, and didn’t like any of them, until one of mom’s friends joined the adult team, and then she told my mom about the Junior League that was starting up. My mom put me in as a last attempt to try to get me to be active, and I ended up falling in love with the sport and skating. What has been your favorite part? I really love it right after a game. At the end, you’re just so emotional, because you just played a tough game with your team, and it’s really nice to be with everyone afterward. How would you describe the team? We accept so many dif- ferent ages. Everyone can find a friend. You know, at the end of the day, we are one team, and we do work really well together. I love how everyone can really find their person and their people, even with how big the team is. What does a practice look like? Practices really depend on what coaches are there. We have an amazing group of coaches who all come and give their time to the team for free, but it re- ally depends on what group of coaches you get, and everyone has something completely different and amazing to teach us. How do you prepare for a game? I really love when we’re gearing up and we’re all putting on makeup because games are an amazing time to do the weirdest makeup that you can do and not have anyone judge you. How has being part of Junior Derby influenced other areas of your life? Derby really taught me that I can talk to peo-
28 JULY 2024 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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