TRYOUTS AND VOLUNTEERING

1. How do I get on the email list to receive info and updates?
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on the email list. Contact her with any further tryouts-related questions.

2. Who can try out?
All women who are 21+ can try out! If you are interested in being a referee, men and women 21+ can try out (see question 15).

3. Do I need to know how to skate to try out?
No, you do not need to already know how to skate to try out (but it helps!). We will teach you how to skate and how to play derby.

4. How do I prepare for tryouts? How can I get extra skating practice skating?
There are lots of ways to prepare for tryouts. First off, you should skate as much as you can. You can attend open skates at the many skating rinks in the area: Fast Forward in Madison, Skate Express in Watertown, Skaters Edge and Gem Roller Rink in Appleton, and Incredi-Roll Skate & Family Fun Center in Milwaukee. MRD will hold a series of Derby 101 Open Skates at Fast Forward where we will teach you the skills you’ll be asked to perform at tryouts. The cost for the open skates is $5 and includes skate rental. The dates for these open skates are:

Saturday Jun 4, 2011 @ 4:15 - 6:45 pm
Sunday Jun 5, 2011 @ 10am - 12:30 pm
Saturday June 11, 2011 @ 4:15 - 6:45 pm
Sunday Jun 12, 2011 @ 10am - 12:30 pm

These dates and times are subject to change. Changes will be emailed out to the mailing list and posted on our website.

5. When are tryouts?
Saturday June 18, 2011 @ 4:15 - 6:45 pm Tryouts Day 1
Sunday June 19, 2011 @ 8 - 10:30am Tryouts Day 2 (call-backs)

Please plan to attend both days for the full time, although not everyone will be asked back on the second day. These dates and times are subject to change. Changes will be emailed out to the mailing list and posted on our website.

6. Should I buy gear before tryouts?
We recommend that you do NOT buy gear before tryouts. Gear can be expensive, so we have skates, pads and helmets you can borrow for open skates and tryouts. If you make it past tryouts, then we ask you to buy all of your own gear. Some practices will require you to have a helmet – either a bicycle helmet or skateboarding/derby helmet will do.

However, if you want to buy gear anyway, we won’t stop you! In fact, we recommend you get advice from some MRD vet skaters on what to buy and where. Email Dutch Oven for more info.

7. What happens at tryouts?
Tryouts consist of two parts: skating skills and an interview. The skating skills you’ll be asked to perform will be the same skills we’ll teach at our open skates. You don’t already need to be an expert skater, but showing improvement, listening, and incorporating constructive feedback from the instructors into your technique are huge plusses!

Come ready to skate, wearing comfortable clothes you’d wear to exercise. Jeans or other non-stretchy fabrics are not recommended; but really, you can wear whatever you want.

What we are looking for in a skater at tryouts: teachability, skating skill, and a great attitude! Roller derby is hard, so you need to show that you are ready to make the time commitment, the physical commitment to get in excellent shape, and the mental effort to learn the rules and policies of MRD! Also, MRD is an all-volunteer organization run by skaters and volunteers, so we are looking for people with skills that can help keep our league running.