Ladies' roller derby league forming in St. Peters
"We had a lot of moms around here (the skating rink) for (their children's) hockey (practices) who said 'I want to skate. I want to do something, but I don't want to play hockey," said Karen Gerard, spokeswoman for Great Skate.
The league will consist of a minimum of three teams comprised of women 18 and older. Training and practices are set to begin in June, with games beginning in July, Gerard said. The skating rink will announce a game schedule at a later time, she said."Once we decide on uniforms, we'll buy our own," Gerard said.
This month, the roller rink will host a program from 6-7 p.m. Fridays that details the basics of the sport, rules of the game and basic skating skills, which is open to both men and women interested in learning roller derby, according to a release from Great Skate. Cost is $5 per week, which includes skate rental.
The league will begin a four- to six-week training camp beginning the first week of June, practicing two evenings each week. No skating experience is necessary.
Men are needed to help the teams as referees, score keepers, time keepers or "jeer leaders" - roller derby's answer to cheer leaders, Gerard said.
Great Skate is located at 130 Boone Hills Drive. For more information visit www.greatskaterollerrink.com.
