High School Student’s Senior Project Launches Junior League for Hellgate Rollergirls
MISSOULA, MT (March 2011)
Casey Hammond’s roller derby name is Casey Chaos, and she’s looking forward to the day she can iron it on to her Hellgate Rollergirls Junior League uniform. Organizing the league is the ambitious Hellgate High School student’s Senior Project, and she has been working on the logistics under the mentorship of HGRG Steering Committee member Marlana “M. Kneesya” Kosky since last September. Now, the time has come to start recruiting skaters.
Girls 12-17 can join the Junior League by picking up a membership packet at the Inferno (812 Toole Ave.). Packets are also available at the front offices of Hellgate, Sentinel, and Big Sky High Schools and at Sussex School.
“Junior Roller Derby is empowering and confidence inspiring for girls and women of all ages,” says Kosky. “This makes derby a very positive thing for those who participate in the sport as well as for the communities these females inhabit.”
Practices will be held Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30-7:00, beginning as soon as skaters sign up, so girls are encouraged to get involved as soon as possible. Casey hopes to field a large enough league to stage a bout before she graduates this spring.
“Casey is an extremely self-motivated girl that has a lot of energy to pull off anything she sets her mind to without much trouble,” says Kosky. “I’d watch out for this one!”
Girls need written permission from a parent or guardian to participate, and will be expected to meet the same requirements for participation as members of the adult league: a minimum of six practices and two hours of volunteer service per month, membership on a league committee, monthly dues, and a $25 membership fee. All fees support the nonprofit Hellgate Rollergirls adult and junior leagues.
Contact: Marlana Kosky
hellgaterollergirlsmarlana@gmail.com
Or HGRG PR: 406-529-4154 (Ali Gadbow)
Website: www.hellgaterollergirls.org
About Us:
Hellgate Rollergirls, Inc. (HGRG) is a non-profit corporation organized exclusively for the purpose of promoting the sport of women’s flat track roller derby, in Missoula, Montana. The members of HGRG are strong and motivated women who train to the fullest of their individual abilities, respect their teammates and competitors, and love the sport of Roller Derby. We embrace women of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and skill levels. Our goal is to promote women’s strength and self-esteem and to create a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among our members. Our skaters work to increase their skill through discipline, hard work, and focus. HGRG is proud to carry on the tradition of roller derby, and strives to create a physically demanding sport that inspires women and girls to embrace their inner strength while entertaining fans and enriching our community.
