Clarksville Roller Derby shows off skills, welcomes new skaters | PHOTOS

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville Roller Derby hosted a recruitment night this week at Magic Wheels Fun Center. The team practiced drills and skating techniques. They also welcomed new skaters in and helped with learning how to skate.

“We’re hoping to get more skaters this year and grow the team,” said coach Charmaine Coles, known by her roller derby name, Beast Mode.

Coles said the team is rebuilding after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With about 15 members, the team is looking to recruit new skaters of all skill levels. “Not all of us are skating right now, but we do have a solid group of about 15,” she said. “At one point, we used to have A and B teams, so the number of players is really limitless. We can have as many teams as we want.”

Clarksville Roller Derby offers training for beginners. “We’ll teach you from the bottom, whether you’ve never skated before or you’re just learning the rules of the game,” Coles said. “A willing body is really all we need. … Just come as you are, and we’ll help you get started. We have a portion of our practice called ‘fresh meat,’ where new skaters learn the basics while the veterans practice more advanced skills.”

In April, the team will travel out of town for a competition, and later in the year, they plan to host a game at Magic Wheels. Coles will also be representing the team at the Roller Derby World Cup in Austria later this year.

For more, visit Clarksville Roller Derby on Facebook.

NEW TO CLARKSVILLE? Check out our Newcomer’s Guide