Amelia has been skating for over four years. But, it isn't ice skating. And, it isn't street skating.
Amelia is a member of Salina’s roller derby team, the Salina Sirens.
The Salina Sirens have been around for 10 years, although very little is known about them. Which is what Amelia and her teammates are out to change.
By day, Amelia is a nurse. In fact, most of the Salina Sirens players are in the healthcare industry. Amelia's even currently furthering her degree at a local college.
But, as soon as Amelia puts her skates and safety gear on, you can call her Skella.
All roller derby players have skate names. Chico, Triple B, Bullit Proof, and Hammer are just some of the skaters that make up the Sirens.
Just what is Roller Derby, anyway? Simply put, it's like car racing with no finish line. The game is played by teams of skaters moving around an oval track, trying to score points.
A team is made up of skaters playing the position of jammers, and one skater being the blocker. Basically, it's the jammers goal to skate past the opposing team's blocker to score points. Strategy and skill are the main components. Each jam, or set, lasts two minutes. The jams fit into two thirty minute halves. The team with the most points wins.
In Salina, the roller derby squad consist of Junior, Co-ed, Women, and Beginner teams. Juniors are kids ages 8-18, and there are 20 players. The women's team currently has 15 players. Beginners team is for those who are just starting out, so they can learn the game.
When you venture out of Salina, you'll find more men playing roller derby. However, this is something the Salina Roller Derby Squad would love to accomplish, as well.
Each player must start out in practices. Achieving a minimum set safety skills is necessary to playing in games, and protective gear is worn at all times.
So, what does all this have to do with now? Well, the Salina Roller Derby teams are hosting a tournament on Saturday, November 13.
The day starts at 9am in the 4H Building, on Bob Flaherty Dr. This is just next to Tony’s Pizza Events Center.
Ten teams are expected to compete under the following schedule:
9am: Beginners
11am: Juniors
1pm: Co-ed
3pm: Women
Teams are traveling in from Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and parts of Kansas.
The last time any Salina Sirens player has skated competitively, was February 7, 2020. This game was in Greeley, Colorado.
While it has been over a year since these gals have laced up their skates, there isn't a one of them that isn't ready for tomorrow. They want the chance to show you what roller derby is all about.
You can follow Salina Sirens Roller Derby, and find out more information about the games tomorrow, by following their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SalinaSirensRollerDerby/.
