Vixens gain experience during halftime of Dolls bout

PALMER — The MTA Events Center was packed Saturday for the Denali Destroyer Dolls’ roller derby bout against the North Pole’s Babes in Toyland team. While the Dolls skated away with a victory, 218-180, the Valley Vixens Junior Derby team gained significant attention during the halftime bout as they battled amongst themselves.

The Valley Vixens were founded in September 2012. After only a year as an organized group, the Vixens now have more than 40 participating players. The only requirements are that all girls must be between the ages of 7 and 17, supply medical insurance, register with USA Rollersports for $40 a year and pay $20 a month for practice and instructor coverage. Even if gear is not accessible at this time, the young Vixens invite all girls interested to attend a practice.

“Come and give it a shot with the gear we have,” said Madison Hardwig, 15, known as “Iron Mad.” “Roller derby is awesome. You have to watch a bout.”

The Vixens practice every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Chris Stringer Memorial Gym in Wasilla for two hours. For now, there are no junior teams in the state that have set up any bouts against the Vixens, but as those teams are growing themselves, scrimmages are expected. Until then, the Vixens practice with the goal of having halftime bouts during the Dolls’ events.

Dolls co-founder Lyn Carden, known as “Jane Bond,” explained that next year’s goal is to create an Alaska junior roller derby season separate from the adult league.

“We work on team building, confidence and learning the sport,” Carden said. “Just having the girls step out of their comfort zone and say their names to the crowd then skate a lap is an accomplishment.”

Carden said the sport can appeal to a wide range of women and girls.

“Derby fits all body types. Especially in our younger years where you feel like you don’t fit in, here you fit in most,” Carden said.

More information and registration forms can be found online at denalidestroyers.org.