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West Kootenay Roller Derby League season opens

Rossland Trail Roller Girls will take on Nelson’s KillJoys in the main bout as the roller derby league starts up Saturday in Rossland.
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The roller derby season kicks off this Saturday night in Rossland.

Rossland and Trail have learned to agree on one thing: roller derby.

The fastest growing women’s sport in the world has taken off in the West Kootenay with an exciting season ready to roll this month. The Rossland Trail Roller Girls (RTRG) are making their debut Saturday night in their season opener held at the Rossland Arena.

Castlegar’s Dam City Rollers look to take down their nemeses, Salmo’s Babes of Brutality, during the first bout of the evening, followed by Nelson’s KillJoys battle against RTRG.

This may be a newly amalgamated team but some of the women representing are far from fresh meat.

The kick-ass team—made up of the former Gnarlie’s Angels and Bad News Betties (Trail)—naturally fell into place after the West Kootenay Roller Derby League’s seven-team structure was reduced to five.

The former size of the league put a strain on the non-profit workforce that fueled it, with scores of dedicated volunteers, sponsors, players and their supportive families putting on the bouts.

The league has now simplified the local sport by fusing together Rossland and Trail into RTRG, and merging the two former Nelson teams under the title of the KillJoys.

The doors open at 4 p.m. with the first bout at 5 p.m. when Castlegar’s Dam City Rollers take on Salmo’s Babes of Brutality. The second bout is at 7 p.m. with the Rossland Trail Roller Girls taking on Nelson’s KillJoys.

Tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/362452 for $10 or at the door for $15. Kids 10 and under are $2 admission at the door.

This family affair includes a 50/50, team merchandise, food and beverages (including beer garden).

For more information on tickets visit Facebook or Twitter at wkrollerderby.com or www.kootenayrollerderby.com.