If you have heard about roller derby and are curious to learn more, the Rockyview Rollers will be showcasing their skills at a fundraising game coming to Cochrane.

Sheena Galvin, aka 'Schlitz & Giggles', is excited to bring a game to Cochrane as interest is growing in the full contact sport.

Although a 'come out and try' night is in the works, Galvin thought what better way to get people interested in the sport than a showcase game for a great cause. "We were contacted by a lady in Cochrane last year who was interested in starting a roller derby league out in Cochrane, and with planning and chatting with her, she was able to get about twelve ladies interested; so we thought let's have a 'Try It Night.' So basically the ladies would come out and we would run through gear and what we're all about as far as roller derby and skills go. So no one would need any gear and we're planning it for September or October, but that has yet to be determined."

Between now and the try it night scheduled for fall, the Rocky View Roller Derby Association (RVRDA) thought a fundraising game would be the perfect way to pique the community's interest overall. On May 31st, the RVRDA will be presenting the Rockyview Rollers against the Eastside Wheelers (out of Indus) at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre in the Totem One arena. Doors to the fundraising game open at 7 o'clock with the first whistle being blown at 8 p.m. to kick off the match, says Galvin. While they could have just held a game, Galvin says the Rocky View Roller Derby Association is much more than just strapping on skates and hard hits. "With Rocky View, we are a non-profit organization so we like to give back to the community where we can. We have done work with Airdrie Power, which is a women's shelter in Airdrie that just opened up, so it just seemed like a good fit to have the women's shelter 'Big Hill Haven' also showcased in the community for our game."

All proceeds from the event will go to support Big Hill Haven, shares Galvin, and admission to watch the game is by cash donation. While they have no monetary goal set, Galvin is just hopeful the match draws in lots of people and perhaps sparks interest in the growing sport, which is also expanding into co-ed and junior leagues as well. "There is a huge junior derby league in Calgary, Airdrie, and surrounding areas, so there is lots of room for expansion. It is an all-inclusive sport; we are all gender inclusive, we take all body types, everyone can be an athlete...you don't have to be a person who goes to the gym all the time. So it can be a family sport, which is what we're hoping we can bring to the Cochrane community."

With hundreds of leagues worldwide the sport is growing and is a fun way to show off your personality, shares Galvin. "We have a few players who play in tutus and fishnets, so just about anything goes. It will be a fun family event."

The Rocky View Roller Derby Association currently has roughly thirty members, with seven to ten including some co-ed members playing out of Indus. 

If you have any questions or want to learn more, you can check out the Rocky View Roller Derby Association HERE for more information or plan to attend the evening match on May 31st at SLSFSC.