Salida has a new Ark Valley High Rollers Junior Roller Derby team. Practices are held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday mornings. Beginning on May 28, practice will be moved to the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. The league is open to kids eight to 18 and is for all genders.
Jessica Shook aka “Shook Me All Night”, is the team’s coach and has been a member of the Ark Valley High Rollers since 2014. “We always wanted to do a junior derby league and over the years just didn’t have the capacity to get it done,” she explained.
“So then last year when everything was shut down, Stacy Falk who owns Ramps and Alleys skate shop started a quad club and got a bunch of kids skating and that led to opening the skate shop, so they reached back out to (Ark Valley High Rollers) and me to get something organized.”
Image courtesy of Jessica Shook.
She continued “It seemed like a good opportunity, we already had a good training program and all that stuff ready to go. We just needed the kids and there they were.”
Shook explained what the junior team works on during their practices. “We do some basic skating skills, give a little introduction to the sport of roller derby, and then as their skills progress hopefully we’ll be able to organize little small scrimmages and stuff where they can actually play the game.”
The league has partnered with the Salida Parks and Recreation Department who is currently managing the registration process. Since the team is new, those interested are asked to call Ramps and Alleys to sign up for the team. The skate shop also offers everything a new derby team member may need, from skates to protective pads. To contact Ramps and Alleys call 719-539-5468.
“Roller derby is the most amazing sport in the world, and everyone should learn more about it,” Shook added.
For those interested in roller derby, who are over the age of 18, the adult league is held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Chaffee Fairgrounds. “Everyone is welcome to join that as well,” said Shook.
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