Revelstoke Roller Derby brings crowds to final bout of the season

Revelstoke Roller Derby (RRD) wrapped up a season of skating shenanigans and derby bouts at a July 20 open-genders bout that saw Revelstoke Derailers going up against other open-gender teams. The Derailers brought fancy footwork and hometown cheers to the Revelstoke Forum.

Derailer Stacie Byrne (derby name 3rd Degree Byrne) was awarded MVP blocker for the first time in her derby career. MVP awards are given by the opposing team who base their decisions on the game played. 

“It’s an achievement that has to be truly earned,” Taylor Sandell (derby name George Sanderson) told Revelstoke Mountaineer.

Byrne wasn’t the only player of note at the July 20 bout, with the Derailers’ newer skaters not backing down from taking on opposition’s Big Sexy, formerly a member of Canada’s Men’s Roller Derby team and a notable presence on the track. 

“He’s always towering above you with all the moves,” Sandell said. “But he’s the sweetest person.”

Big Sexy was fouled out of the bout in part due to a forearm penalty that was actually him holding up one of the Derailers newest skaters in an effort to keep them from falling over in the middle of a jam.

The bout marked the end of a season that just started, with the Derailers’ first bout held June 1 in Penticton. RRD’s derby season runs opposite most other derby leagues in B.C. and Alberta due to arena access restraints. Still, participants from B.C. and Alberta came out for the evening in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

“Roller derby humans are very dedicated people,” Sandell said. 

There is no shortage of hands needed to help run any of the RRD events, and new volunteers are always welcome.

“We get people who are interested in the sport… who want a way to maybe explore things without stepping onto the rink in stakes right away,” Dom Fortin, RRD director of volunteers said. Anyone is welcome to volunteer for Roller Disco nights, helping sell tickets and run the concession stand at the derby bouts or assist in other RRD events when they come up.

“You don’t have to play derby, you can just want to hang out with a really cool group of people,” she said. “This is such a welcoming group that would be happy to have you.”

Plans for future events and next season’s derby games are already being mapped out, with the beloved disco night an obvious returning event and more Greenbelt skate-alongs in the mix. In a recent poll of those attending the last disco night of the season, one participant said, “I had no idea my kids could have so much fun in town.” It’s a comment RRD is using to build ideas.

“We’re really starting to consider skate camps, we’re trying to get a grant so we can purchase a whole fleet of rental skates to help with that access and get more people into the sport,” Sandell said. RRD is also looking for a home space outside of the Revelstoke Forum and general meet-up places that could help them establish longer programs and house gear and supplies.

“There’s really an interest for this in town for roller skating,” Sandell said. “I think we can keep making that grow.”

With over 400 participants coming out to three Roller Disco events, a boisterous crowd at both home derby bouts and inquiries about future Greenbelt skate-alongs, RRD shows no sign of slowing down in their support of rollerskating love in Revelstoke.

Contact RRD at [email protected] to inquire about next season’s volunteer opportunities, potential event spaces, interest in joining the Revelstoke Derailers and other inquiries.