With a groundswell of public enthusiasm and a nod of approval from the City of Nanaimo, a full season of Rookie Vancouver Island Roller Derby is about to be unleashed.
Four Island rookie teams have been preparing for two years to bring roller derby to Nanaimo and the Comox Valley and the result of that work will debut April 23 when the Nanaimo Nemesis Roller Girls take on the Harbour City Rollers in the league’s first regular-season action.
“We all decided it was time to unite and settle any grudges on the track,” said Jennifer Wigmore, founding member of the Nanaimo Nemesis Roller Girls.
Other teams participating in the league include the Dodge City Rollers (Cumberland) and the Rink Minx (Comox).
The inaugural season was established with the intent of gaining enough experience to host a roller derby tournament. Island teams, as well as some Lower Mainland teams, have already committed to the tournament and as a result, the eight-team Island Rookie Roller Derby Tournament is on tap July 2-3 with the first place team taking home $1,000 and the second place team earning $500.
The season opener at the Nanaimo Ice Centre April 23 begins at 6:30 p.m. with a $5 suggested donation at the door.
Preseason action takes place this weekend (April 16-17) in Comox.
For a complete schedule list, please visit www.islandderby.com.