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Roller derby hits Fredericton

Jessica Johnson , , , ,

Earlier this month, the Fredericton Jr. Roller Derby Association hosted their third annual Winter Wonder Slam. An action-packed tournament featuring two junior games and two adult games. Teams came from all over the Maritimes and as far as Maine to compete.

Violet LeBlanc a.k.a Vicious Vi (facebook.com)

Roller derby as a sport has been on the rise over the past decade with dozens of amateur leagues popping up all over Canada. Fredericton’s junior team holds their own on the world stage.

“Our team is number one in Canada for co-ed and number four in the world. We are undefeated,” said Holli LeBlanc, whose daughter Violet LeBlanc plays for the bEast Coast Brawlers. Violet, 10, started derbying after a friend introduced her to the sport when she was eight.

The team is coached by Barbara Somers-Lapointe who founded the Fredericton Jr. Roller Derby Association, and plays for the city’s women’s team, the Spitfires.

Roller derby games consist of two teams, each one fielding four blockers and one slammer. Slammers try to get through the opposing team’s blocker. For each person they get through, one point is gained. Each game has two, 30-minute periods.

Some associate roller derby as being rough since it’s a full-contact sport, but penalties include the use of hands, forearms and elbows, which is why skaters tend to aim for the hip and upper thigh area to block.

“The injury rate for kids is so low because they’re flexible and wonderful and they bounce right back,” said LeBlanc.

The jammer wears a star on his or her helmet and tries to get through the blockers. (facebook.com)

She tried a “Learn to Derby” program last year but didn’t have as much luck as her daughter Violet. “It’s very hard on your body trying a new sport when you’re in your mid-thirties versus when you’re 10. It’s a great sport though – super fun.”

Another aspect of roller derby is picking your name which is not as easy as it sounds. Names should convey your personality, project a sense of toughness and be witty. Some of the top skater names include PowerTower, Brawllipop, and One Hit Wonder. LeBlanc’s daughter Violet goes by the name of Vicious Vi.

Once the tournament wrapped up, the arena turned into a roller disco party where people could try the quad skates and enjoy the dazzling lights and sounds.