***OUR NEXT RECRUITMENT EVENT IS SUNDAY, JUNE 19th, 2011. THIS WILL BE AN INFORMATIONAL SESSION- NO EQUIPMENT NECESSARY. TRYOUTS WILL BE HELD ONE WEEK LATER, ON SUNDAY, JUNE 26th, 2011.
All potential skaters will be expected to have basic skating skills before trying out. It is essential that you begin practicing your skating at local roller rinks before attending our recruitment events. Feel free to email us at hellionsrecruitment@gmail.com for tips on skating, or to schedule a time to visit a practice!
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO JOIN?
Women over the age of 18 can join the Hellions of Troy as skaters for our teams. We welcome both men and women skaters and non-skaters to be players (women only), referees, coaches, and volunteers. Anyone is welcome to come and observe our practices before attending our recruitment events. All potential recruits must have basic skating skills before they can begin their initial roller derby training. “Basic skating skills” means that you can:
- Skate ten laps around our track without falling down
- Stop (without dragging your toestop)
- Do crossovers
Some of the other things we look for in potential skaters include:
- A positive attitude
- Basic knowledge of the sport (the Hellions play by the rules of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which can be found on the WFTDA website at wftda.com)
- Time commitment
All of these skills will be explained and demonstrated at the recruitment events. Potential skaters are then free to practice on their own at local roller rinks during the week after the recruitment event (Guptill’s www.guptillsarena.com and Rollarama www.rollarama.com).Tryouts will be held one week after the recruitment event. During tryouts, you will be evaluated by our coaching staff to make sure you can perform these skills. We are not expecting you to be perfect- we just want to make sure you will be safe on the track and that you are prepared to play an aggressive sport. We will teach you everything about playing derby, as long as you are willing to give it your all and learn!
Once you join, you will be part of a “Fresh Meat” class comprised of all the new skaters who participated in the same recruitment event. After you pay your first monthly dues, you will receive your “Fresh Meat” name and begin your 3-month vesting period. During this time, you will receive training from out coaching staff, learn the rules of roller derby, and see how the league is run. After the 3-month period, you will submit your “derby name” and become eligible to be placed on a bout roster, as long as you pass the list of WFTDA minimum skills (which will be provided by our coaches).
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED?
Every skater is required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, kneepads, mouth guard, and quad roller skates. Everything but the skates can be found at sports equipment stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or Sports Authority. Before purchasing any gear, it is highly recommended that you discuss your options with experienced skaters! They can help you choose between different brands and styles, and tell you the best places to get skates and other equipment. There are also numerous online stores you can check out including Wicked Skatewear (http://wickedskatewear.com/) and Bruised Boutique (www.bruisedboutique.com).
WHAT IF I HAVEN’T SKATED SINCE SECOND GRADE? DO I NEED A BACKGROUND IN SKATING TO BE A ROLLERGIRL?
While some skaters on our team do have years of experience, most of us had not skated for decades (if at all) until we joined roller derby. Even those who have skating experience still need to learn how to skate “derby style”. We teach you everything about derby, from the basics of falling correctly to advanced skills (like whips!). But, we do ask that you build your skating abilities at the local rinks so that you are comfortable on skates before you join. Many Hellions skate locally at open skates, so look for us there!
HOW MUCH OF MY TIME WILL IT TAKE UP? WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH JOINING THE HELLIONS?
Roller derby is a big commitment, in terms of both money and time. In regards to financial cost, there are the initial costs which include your first month’s dues ($40), and USARS fee ($40 annually). Each skater must also purchase the equipment necessary to play derby: skates, pads, helmets, etc (see the last page of this packet for equipment suggestions). There are also continuous costs, which include equipment upgrades/replacements, travel to away bouts, and monthly dues payments ($40).
You will also invest a substantial amount of time in the league. You will be expected to attend practices on a regular basis (2-3 times a week), because your fellow skaters will depend on you to learn to play the game and work towards
A guest writer for the website geekmom.com recently wrote a story on our Hellions vs. Vampires bout. She spoke with Hellions skater, Reading Rambo; and from the looks of the write-up, had a great time at the bout. Thanks for coming and see you next time!
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (
