Michigan has been bitten by the roller derby bug. Three years ago we were only the 5th roller derby league to be established in Michigan, now there are several leagues popping up all over the Mitten. Some of these leagues are well established, some are in their infancy, while others fall in between the two.
Mid Michigan Derby Girls was founded in 2008, with women, family, and fun in mind. If you are interested in becoming a part of the derby revolution but don't know where to go, this is what we offer:
*Non-profit , skater owned and operated
*Family friendly atmosphere
*Backed 100% by our skating venue, Skateland
*Practice three times per week
*Offer roller derby 101 classes
*Car pool opportunities with girls from all over
*15% discount of derby gear
*Lay-a-away program when you purchase skates
**wear your skates as you pay
*All open skating sessions at Skateland are free to members
So you want to play Roller Derby?
We are ALWAYS recruiting, so you have come to the right place!
Do I have to be a seasoned skater to join?
Being a derby girl is a lot more than just being a good skater; although we will primarily be looking for basic skating skills, we also look at your potential as a derby girl. We have girls in our league that have 30+ years skating experience who would be more than happy to help you. You will be paired with a veteran skater from the beginning. She will go over derby basics: basic skating, stops, and how to fall safely. She will be available to answer any questions you may have. AFTER you have conquered your basic skills, you will then learn how to give a hit and take a hit. Safety is our number one priority, we do not put our skaters in situations that they are not prepared for.
Some of the things we will be looking for:
Basic skills:
Forward skating, power stride (getting the most out of each push), gliding on one foot at a time, crossovers, balance
Derby Skills:
Skating low, plow stop, T-stop, blocking strength, squats
Endurance:
Number of laps in 5 minutes.
Other
Basic knowledge of the sport, willingness to learn the game, and most importantly ATTITUDE
What do I need to skate derby?
Every skater will be required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads and quad roller skates. We usually try to have gear to loan out to newbies, but everyone skates better in gear they are used to. A mouth guard is also required. Skateland carries all equipment in their pro shop including mouth guards. *For insurance purposes, you will be required to sign a waiver before you skate. (It's a very standard waiver, and gives you coverage through our league insurance)
Will I be put on the team and get a derby name as soon as I join?
Skaters who join our team will be trained and tested on basic WFTDA skills. Once you've passed your tests, you can claim your name and number. But remember: the sport is more than just a cool name and an awesome outfit. Worry about your name after you have the skating down pat.
I go to school and work, will I have enough time for roller derby?
Roller Derby is a big commitment: it's like a second (or third) job. You'll be expected to attend league practices for around two hours twice a week. In addition to practices, everyone is expected to help at bouts and other official events and fundraisers. We are a skater run organization. We're not telling you this to scare you, but we want to be honest. If the time commitment is too much, maybe being a skater isn't the right fit for you right now. There are lots of ways to join in: volunteer for bout set up and take down, join our awesome stat team, come to all our parties, attend fundraisers, simply spread the word by passing out flyers. The list goes on and on! But despite the time commitment, any Derby Girl will tell you that it is totally worth it. And think of all the great people you'll meet!
I've seen the pictures of the injuries and I'm worried.
The game looks kind of dangerous.
It might be a little blunt, but we sometimes get injured. BUT we work really hard to prevent as many injuries as possible (by spending lots of time on how to skate safely)and we slow down and help everyone heal after games and injuries. As mentioned above, full protective gear is required for all skaters (and refs!) and we follow that rule strictly. Primary health insurance is not required but is encouraged to skate with us, every skater, ref and volunteer is covered under our league insurance.
What is the cost?
We have a one time registration fee of $25. This will allow you 30 day trial period to be sure that you want to join our league. This entitles you to 4 Roller Derby 101 clinics & practices (Tuesday, Thursday). You may stay after derby 101 to watch our Sunday scrimmage practices. This is a great way to learn the game! We are sure you will love derby If you decide to become a member of our league full monthly dues are $30. Our dues include 3 practices per week, plus any and all public skating sessions at Skateland. You will also be required to pay $55 once per year for insurance. Being a member entitles you to ALL practices and events, reduced prices for merch, voting privileges, plus more. We offer 3 workouts per week plus open skates and best of all being a derby girl is very cool.
