Curtain raises on 2012 West Kootenay Women's Roller Derby League
By Bruce Fuhr
It’s back!!!!!!!
The 2012 edition of the West Kootenay Women’s Roller Derby League kicks off Friday at the Rossland Arena with a doubleheader night.
This season promises to be an exciting one for the league with two new expansion franchises joining the existing five teams from 2011.
“We’re excited and anxious at the same time to get it all rolling,” league president Michelle Sylvest told The Nelson Daily on the eve of opening night in the Golden City.
“This season is going to be big,” Sylvest adds. “It’s big because we’ve got 26 games in total plus we’re hosting the Western Regionals (in Nelson) so there’s a lot going on.”
Defending champion Rossland Gnarlies open defence of the 2011 title in the feature match against the most improved team from a year ago, Castlegar’s Dam City Rollers.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with 2011 runner up Salmo’s Babes of Brutality meeting Nelson’s Lumber Jackies.
The four opening-nighters are joined this season by and expansion Slocan Valley Vendettas and Trail Bad News Betties.
Nelson’s Kill Joys round out the seven-team league.
Each team plays six times — a single round robin format with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
The league champion will be crowned during Golden City Days Celebrations in Rossland on September 9.
“We’re aware we may be growing a little too fast but the goal is to have all players playing for just their own teams,” Sylvest, Aka, SylvestHer StallOne, explained.
“This is a trial run with this many teams. If it doesn’t work out we may need to re-consider for next season.”
The interest has been a little overwhelming for Sylvest & Company, but not surprising as the sport is continues to draw followers and new skaters.
“Roller derby fastest growing sport in North America, and maybe even the world,” Sylvest exclaims.
“The sport is not what you see on television. People come to the games thinking it’s a spectacle and find out it’s a real sport.”
Following Friday’s curtain raiser, the all-star squad gets into high gear as the traveling team, Kootenay Kannibelles play host to Raggedy Rollers April 21, also at the Rossland Arena.
The contest should give fans a preview of what the competition will be like when the Western Regional open at the NDCC Arena in Nelson.
Sylvest expects about 300 players, fans and coaches from seven visiting teams to be in Nelson for the three-day tournament.
However, the Western Regionals are not for another eight weeks.
On Friday, the 13th the banging begins on another West Kootenay Women’s Roller Derby League campaign.
