Get your derby on this weekend with the East Kootenay Roller Derby league up in Marysville to decide the league champions in the final event titled Back in Black and Blue.
Four teams from Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie and Invermere will converge on the Memorial Arena this Saturday night to close out the 2012 season by getting on the track for the two remaining bouts.
The Bavarian Barbarians will take to the roller derby track to challenge Cranbrook’s Mountain Town Maulers, while the Invermere Killer Rollbots and the Avalanche City Roller Girls (Fernie) will battle each other for the league title.
Kimberley’s Pamela Currie, known in derby circles as ‘Demolition Dolly’ is looking forward to the final tilt as her team puts a year’s worth of training into practice.
“We’ve been putting a lot of work in—all the teams in the league have been putting a lot of work in—and this is the finals, so I think it just makes it extra exciting,” said Currie.
The Bavarians won their only game of the season against the Mountain Town Maulers and they will be anticipating a tough game as Cranbrook attempts to avenge its loss.
After the two local teams do battle, the Avalanche City Roller Girls and the Invermere Killer Rollbots will play in the championship game. The ACRG are perfect, with a 4-0 record, defeating the Rollbots once back at the Bonnie and Collide event in Marysville in June.
Currie credits the work of Diana Wiest, also known as Adoll Hitter out on the track, for keeping the team focused and encouraging everyone to keep going, even if they get knocked down.
“She just exhibits true leadership,” said Currie. “Derby girls are really good for falling down and getting back up, but sometimes your spirit gets hurt, especially if you fall down a lot.
“Adoll is really good at lifting you up that way, telling you that you can really do it and getting us to emotionally commit to doing what we need to do.”
In addition to derby action, Currie said fans can also participate in a fundraiser for Jenna Homeniuk, a local Kimberley high-school student who is battling Leukemia.
Currie is also encouraging any ladies interested in giving roller derby a shot to get involved with Barbarians, as numbers have fluctuated over the year.
Even though the EKRDL will wrap up action this weekend, the Barbarians will be on the track again in Marysville on Saturday, Sept. 22, for another bout against an Alberta team, which will be a fundraiser towards covering costs for the Barbarians 2013 season.
