Toledo Junior Roller Derby

TOLEDO JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY

Information Packet

Toledo Juniors (Ages 8-17)

toledojrrollerderby.com

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Welcome to the exciting and fast paced world of roller derby!

There are always questions before getting started. We hope to answer most of the basics here to help you with making an informed decision as to whether your child joins our league. Always feel free to ask any of the parents any questions you may have.

SCHEDULE

Practice is on Thursday night from 6 – 7:30pm at Glass City Athletics at 1590 Albon Rd. Holland, Ohio 43528

We use Google calendar and Trello for our schedules. We also have a private group on facebook for sharing information such as rosters, updates on practices, etc.

Attendance is very important and can affect being rostered if you don’t make at least 65% of practices. Notice must be given to the coaches if you are going to miss a practice. Dropping in at another team’s practice or participating in open scrimmages, with coaches’ permission, can make up for missed practices.

EQUIPMENT

To participate all skaters are required to have:

Helmet – This can be any kind of helmet that is certified for impact (derby, hockey, bike). Do not buy a used helmet, safety cannot be guaranteed.

Mouth guard – SISU brand are highly recommended, they are remoldable and come with extra insurance. However, any brand will do.

Wrist guards, Elbow pads, Knee pads – Recommended brands are 187 and Triple 8.

Quad roller skates—NO rollerblades/inline skates– Admittedly, these can be expensive but there are good inexpensive ones like Riedell Dart. These can be purchased second hand if you are not comfortable with spending a ton to start out.

Gear must be worn at all practices while skating and at any event we have outside of practice such as parades. Our insurance does not cover injuries if you get hurt while not fully geared up.

Other recommended items –

Wearable padding to protect hips and tailbone.

Breathable clothing (workout clothes, leggings, etc)
Refillable water bottle

Sports goggles (if glasses are needed).

*Do not feel the need to shell out a bunch of money to start out. Everything but helmet and mouth guard can be borrowed or purchased secondhand. *

Purchasing Gear

There are lots of places to buy gear! We recommend Anime to Skateboards in Southfield Michigan. The store is owned and operated by derby players; they are very helpful and can answer all your derby gear questions. They also offer freshmeat packages.

Additionally gear can be found at –

Second Chance Skates (facebook)

Derbygearforsale

Backalleyskates

Derbywarehouse

Amazon

The derby community is generally helpful and willing to answer questions. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Dues

$30 per month for one skater. If you have more than one skater it is $25 per skater. Due by the 10th of each month. If paid after the 10th, late fees are applied.

We have our own liability insurance. The rate for this is currently around $52 per year. This will be due when you join the team, as well as every April.

Dues can be paid cash, check, through paypal to , or through google wallet. Wendi Klocinski is team treasurer, she can take your payments and answer specific financial questions.

Volunteering

This team is run 100% by the parents. Dues alone do not cover all our expenses; parents (or skaters aged 16+) are expected to volunteer for fundraising. We volunteer at Huntington Center for hockey games and concerts, as well as at the Mudhens. These consist of 4-5 hour shifts, 1-2 times a month, working a concession stand. These provide about 90% of the team’s income and it is very important you meet your volunteer requirements. (Don’t worry they are lots of fun to work!) We have various other fundraising activities during the year such as car washes and raffles.

Volunteering at bouts is also expected, whether it be working the merch table or being an NSO (Non-Skating Official). Learning to be an NSO is fun and easy and we will teach you everything you need to know. Glass City Rollers (the adult league) also allows our parents to come to their practice scrimmages to learn NSO positions.

Can my child be injured?

This is not the derby of the 1970s that was basically WWE on skates but like any contact sport there is a risk of injury. Injuries can happen not only during bouts but also during practice or events. This is an aggressive, full contact sport which happens to be a ton of fun!

Our coaches are very knowledgeable about derby. They train our skaters extensively in the best safety practices. The beginning of every practice, skaters perform calisthenics as a means of warming up and stretching their muscles to avoid straining them later. The skaters learn correct methods of stopping, how to avoid falling and how to fall safely.

Well maintained gear is important to safety. Loose toe stops, wheels, or pads that are falling apart or improperly fitted helmet/mouth guard can cause injury. If you are unsure about something do not hesitate to ask a coach or a parent!

In junior derby, there are different skill levels; younger, smaller kids are generally not going to be thrown in against bigger teenagers. Skaters are tested every year and play per their skill level. Level 2 is not as aggressive as Level 3.

Travel

We are a traveling team. We do have home games but we also travel often. We’ve had games as close as Woodhaven, Michigan or as far as Florida. These are scheduled far enough in advance to be able to plan accordingly. If there is a financial issue, please contact the coach. It is not uncommon for derby families to carpool and/or room together.

Team Values

Derby is very much an all-inclusive sport. Derby players come in all forms and all are accepted. We promote being awesome and supportive. Skaters often find themselves in this sport and gain self-confidence. We are a family!

Welcome to the exciting and fast paced world of roller derby!