By Meggin Wourms
The Grand Rapids Area Roller Derby Association has been a busy group. Activities have ranged from fundraisers to parades to bouts.
The Iron Range Attackonites participated in Ely’s very first home bout on July 12th. The DaRANGED team was unable to defeat the Attackonites with a final score of 117 to 262. Win or lose the Ely team had a great turn out and were a very welcoming team.
The newly formed team of Gilbert called Roller Underground, put on a scrimmage at Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival. Martyr Maker, Meg My Day, Nite Mare, and Sarah Whalin, from GRARDA, were able to join in on the fun. A scrimmage is like a practice bout; people are able to come, watch and get the game of derby explained to them.
GRARDA was present for all 3 days of Tall Timber Days. They started off on Friday with a pizza fundraiser at Ogles. Thank you to all who came out to support them. Push-a-derby-girl races were held on Saturday. GRARDA likes to include children activities to encourage families to come to roller derby events. Push-a-derby-girl races are held at the halftime of every home bout. Lastly the derby girls skated in the parade.
Keep missing these derby girls? Don’t worry there are plenty more events coming up. The Iron Range Maidens are playing August 9th at Coleraine’s Hodgins-Berardo arena. Doors open at 6:15pm. First whistle at 7pm. IRM takes on Brandon, Manitoba’s team Gang Green. Tickets are available ahead of time at Reed Drug, Vidcom and on our facebook pages Iron Range Maidens and Iron Range Attackonites. There are no additional fees when you buy online. Tickets are also available at the door. The Maidens and Attackonites will also be painting faces from 6pm-8pm at Coleraine’s Fish-A-Rama on Friday August 8th and skating in the Remer’s Harvest Festival parade at noon on August 9th.
Interested in doing more than just watching a derby girl? GRARDA is always looking for volunteers, skaters and referees. You can email them at freshmeat@ironrangemaidens.com or find them on Facebook (Attackonites). GRARDA would like to thank you all again for your support. Hope to see you all on august 9th at the Hodgins-Berardo Arena.