Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
The Keweenaw Roller Derby girls are entering the group’s 10 seasons competing in the copper country. The special group of ladies has built an entire community that’s passionate about the unique sport and has plenty of local fans. This weekend to kick of the Keweenaw Roller Derby home season, Keweenaw Roller Derby invites the community to check out the Solar System smackdown at the Calumet Coliseum.
10 people out on the track at any given moment, five people from each team. There will be four blockers, and then one person who’s called the jammer. The jammer has a star on their helmet, and they are the person who can score points. And it’s the blocker’s goal to stop the other team’s jammer and to help their jammer get through. The more times that your jammer gets around the track, the more points they can score. – Joelle Adams, Public Relations Coordinator, Keweenaw Roller Derby
Public Relations Coordinator Joelle Adams says that the sport offers a change of pace for those more familiar with the big four traditional American sports. There’s a lot of strategy and teamwork that goes into competing and coming out on top. But she says that the team trains for major events just like this weekend.
And there’s a place for you in roller derby, whether it’s on skates volunteering, or refereeing. There’s something for everyone. One way that you can get involved is on June 20th, we are having a try-on gear event. So you can come here to the Coliseum at 7 p.m. and we should have gear for all shapes and sizes. And that’s like helmets, pads, skates. And you can try that on, and feel how it feels on the track. In July, we’ll be starting a new skater program. So if you love what you feel when you come on the 20th, come back and we’ll teach you how to roller skate and teach you how to play roller derby. – Joelle Adams, Public Relations Coordinator, Keweenaw Roller Derby
For the 2024 home season Keweenaw Roller Derby has picked out the them of decades. Each match will feature a specific decade. This weekend will travel back in time to the 1950’s for the start of the space race. Keweenaw Roller Derby encourages attendees to even get in on the fun and dress up too.
Each year the Keweenaw Roller Derby selects a partner non-profit to benefit from the Solar System Smack down. In 2024 the group will work with the Finnish American Folk School to support cultural programs available to the community. Funds raised during the whipple wheel contest will benefit the Folk School.
Those not familiar with roller derby as a sport will have a great opportunity to learn about the sport for the first time this weekend. While those in the know are already prepared for the amount of out-of-this-world fun tomorrow. Then in June the group will host an opportunity to try out the track yourself for those interested in joining the fun. The solar system smackdown hosted by the Keweenaw roller derby will take place at the Calumet Colloseum doors opening at 5 pm. Tickets for the Solar System Smack-down costs five dollars, and kids 10 and under can attend for free. Learn more about the event here.
