Group hopes to form local roller derby teams

A group of McCook, Nebraska, skaters want to be "derby girls," and start women's home and/or traveling roller derby teams. If you want to join them and are at least 19 years old, contact Dani Dooley at (719) 201-2447. Dani and her support crew and teammates -- so far -- are, front row: Kc Fiala. Second row, from the left: Dani Dooley and Sara Wood. Back row: Kaden Trosper, Sabina Alderman, Rosetta Judd, Elexa Kotschwar and Spencer Smith. Spencer, a hockey player, says, "Roller derby is a show ... it's entertainment. That's what I love about derby." (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- Dani has seriously considered it for a long time. Sabina played it on her neighborhood streets in southern California. Kc watched a game once. Spencer can teach them how to fall. And Chuck wants to be the towel boy.

Those are the very beginnings of a women's roller derby team in McCook, Nebraska.

Dani Dooley is recruiting at least 14 girls now to form two roller derby teams, or, at least to start with, enough players to play against each other.

Dani said she's not expecting everyone to come with all the gear, with experience and ready to roll hard. "We'll start slow, work on endurance first," she said at the team's first meeting Monday evening. "No one is going to bump into each other yet," she said. "We'll get strong first."

Hockey player Spencer Smith said everyone will need a good helmet. "You only have one brain," he said. "Get a good helmet ... not a cheap one."

Spencer, who grew up in Denver, said, with a grin, "I'm a hockey player and I'm extremely competitive. I've been on skates since I was a little kid. I can teach everyone how to fall ... and how to take someone out."

Sabina Alderman said she played roller derby with neighborhood kids where she grew up in Southern California. She's the one who can explain "jammers," "blockers" and "pivots," and add, "There are lots of penalties. It's not actually as violent as people think."

Sabina said that off-skate work-outs will be very important as the team creates itself and develops a practice/workout schedule. "High-intensity interval training, short bursts of cardiovascular exercises are your best friend," she said.

Dani said part of the team's practices will include working out at a gym, swimming at the Y, yoga, running bleachers, skating around town. And watching the Drew Barrymore-directed movie, "Whip It." Dani said, "If you haven't watched it, watch it. If you have watched it, watch it again."

Dani is researching insurance for the team, sponsorships and fund-raisers. She wants input from team members about how many practices they want to have each week; how often they'll travel. Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney and North Platte have competitive derby teams, she said.

The McCook team will follow WFTDA -- Women's Flat Track Derby Association -- regulations, and develop probationary period rules, a code of conduct and conflict resolution guidelines.

Dani said she wants the derby team to be involved in the community, to garner support for the team throughout the community and to help with community projects. Dani envisions her team lined up on B Street, waving signs that read, "HONK IF YOU LOVE ROLLER DERBY!"

For more information on the proposed derby team, contact Dani Dooley at (719) 201-2447.