Roller derby skaters can excel at the sport regardless of body shape or size, declares Deb Janik, president of St. Chux Derby Crew. "You can come with no skating skills, and with practice, become a great player."
She says team members are committed to authenticity on and off the track. "If we had to pick between winning or having fun at every game, we'd pick fun."
Being part of a roller derby community is empowering, Deb says, because skaters constantly learn to do things for which they never guessed they're capable. "Your team's your support system, lifting you up. You really learn to feel confident in your body and abilities; that confidence becomes apparent to everyone around you."
The group typically holds an open-gender skater boot camp over four weeks each summer for ages 18 or older; no prior skating experience required.
Because the game is so nuanced, Deb says they prepare for various scenarios and drill the basics.
Their fans are all ages, with bouts being family-friendly. Deb says because they have mothers on the team, kids attend along with parents of teammates.
SCDC is a registered nonprofit managed by skaters, officials and volunteers. Most funding comes from membership dues, with skaters purchasing their own skates, pads, mouth guards, helmets and jerseys. Deb says they host fundraising events, such as trivia nights and book/craft fairs, to help cover venue rentals and operational costs.
SCDC holds practices weekly at Great Skate in St. Peters, and holds most games and events at the Steelshop Athletics Center in St. Charles Frenchtown.