Roller derby isn't just one of the world’s fastest growing female contact sports. It's also rapidly gaining popularity within Stanislaus County.
At 7 p.m. April 13, Turlockers will have a chance to see the sport first-hand as the SINtral Valley Innocents will take on the Tri-Valley Roller Girls at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock. The junior game, featuring the Mo-Town Misfits versus the Junior Hellcats/Brat Pack will begin at 5:30 p.m.
The SINtral Valley Derby Girls currently has roughly 40 skating members and 30 junior team members. The SINtral Valley Derby Girls are made up of two adult teams, the Innocents and the Sinners, and a junior team – the Mo-Town Misfits.
“We are a group of extremely dedicated people who train hard and like to give back to our community by not only providing an athletic workout and team work ethic, but also by providing family friendly events and participating in other community events,” said Carly “Chaos” of the SINtral Valley Derby Girls. “We are always recruiting and welcome any interested people to attend one of our bouts or practices to see what we are all about.”
Roller derby is played with five members from each team roller-skating in the same direction around a flat track. Each match, called a “jam,” has a scoring player from each team – a “jammer” – who gains points by lapping members of the opposite team.
By blocking members of the opposite team, teammates assist their own jammer by playing both defense and offense at the same time. One blocker from each team is also allowed to be a “pivot,” which means they are allowed to become a jammer during a match. The team with the most points wins the match.
“It’s so much fun and you develop friendships that you likely have never experienced,” Carly “Chaos” said.
The Stanislaus County Fairgrounds are located at 900 N. Broadway In Turlock. The roller derby games will take place in building E1.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $10, or can be purchased for $15 at the door. Children 5 and under will be admitted free of charge.
For more information about the SINtral Valley Derby Girls or to buy tickets online, visit www.sinvdg.com.
