Page 9 - skaters connect issue 4 Feb_April_17

This current crop of junior roller derby players have been in the sport as long if not longer than many adults. The

juniors are developing strategy and tactics from an early age and getting years to fine tune their knowledge of the
game and its nuances before entering into adult level roller derby. A player that has spent years as a junior skating
and playing is a valuable asset to any adult club or team as they come into the team with previous knowledge of
the game. Junior rolled derby players do it because they love it, they love the game, they love the uniqueness of
the sport and they love the people in roller derby. It might be an international or local superstar that got them
interested but they stay in it the sport because they love it. They love what it affords them; a place, an identity and
opportunity to be, to be a blocker, a jammer or pivot.

The current crop of junior skaters will be taking part in the Junior Roller Derby Nationals at Niagara Park stadium in
th
th
NSW, for two days of competitive games. Held the 15 to the 16 of April, will see three skill divisions compete for
trophies and accolades. The biggest event on the junior roller derby calendar in Australia will see players and
teams from across Australia converge to take part in a weekend of intense action. Spectators are welcome to
come and attend and see for themselves, the conviction of which these junior skaters devote to their sport and the
drive to be the next superstars of Roller Derby.

Recently Skate Victoria skaters, Rubylicious and MPOW got to leave behind their skates for the evening, and dress
in formal wear to attend Rubylicious’ high school formal. MPOW flew from Queensland with a suit in his luggage to
escort Rubylicious to her Year 10 formal in Newcastle.

Having met at junior games and playing in events in NSW, from Coffs Harbour to The Central Coast, Rubylicious
and MPOW became friends and then grew that friendship into a relationship. The relationship went from strength to
strength as MPOW would travel often to NSW to play in junior games.

Rubylicious and MPOW have been both skating for a number of years, and though they live in different states of
Australia, have often competed against each other and together in junior games. Rubylicious has a history as an ice
artistic figure skater, whereas MPOW has only ever skated Roller Derby.

They are fierce but fair competitors, and effective teammates that show leadership to those around them. They have
each travelled interstate to coach assist in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland to encourage the
development of other junior skaters to achieve individual goals.

Their friendship fostered and grew out of an interest in roller derby into a relationship that includes events such as
school formals and spending time together in school holidays. MPOW would not normally have the opportunity to
attend a school formal, as he does online schooling, and it was an opportunity to not be missed.

Both sets of parents say that the Rubylicious and MPOW are an absolute delight and a pleasure to be around when
visiting on holidays and could not be happier that they have each found a special person to share a special time of
their life.