| Do you love Roller Derby? Want to join our street team? Want to volunteer? |
Earn free tickets to upcoming events and free merchandise by working on our street team! Plus earn the love and affection of the Vixens! Email pr@magnoliarollervixens.com if you're interested. We are looking for street team members in the Jackson metro area.
We are also looking for dedicated volunteers. To learn more, check out our volunteer staffing section!
| Wanna be on the team? |
We are currently recruiting skaters, refs, coaches, cheerleaders, and support staff! If you are interested in joining or have any questions, you can email our recruitment coordinator at freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com or stop by our open practice on Wed from 7-9pm at the Clinton National Guard Armory (1500 E. Northside Dr).
Must be 18 or older! Referees can be male or female! Interested? Email us at freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com!
| Frequently Asked Questions |
What are the rules of flat track roller derby?
What if I can't skate?
Don't worry, we'll teach you!!! Since our league is in the beginning stages, we are going over the basics to make sure that every skater gets the foundation they need to succeed in roller derby. Many of our skaters started out not knowing how to skate. Now they are very good skaters that improve with each practice. If you are still hesitant about skating, there are many non-skating positions you can do such as ref, volunteer, keep score and stats, and cheer! You can always start as a volunteer, ref, or cheerleader then move to skating when you feel you are ready.
How often do you practice?
Our league practices at least 2 times a week. Each member is required to meet a minimum percentage of practice time as outlined in our league handbook. We will often have extra practice sessions to work on certain skills or to do strengthening and conditioning excercises. The practices are tough, but that is what makes us all better skaters!!!
Where can I get gear?
You will need quad speed skates and protection gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and mouthguard). You can get most of this locally from Academy Sports and Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Clinton Funtime Skateland, and Swell-O-Phonic in Fondren sell some of the gear. Also, Rollergirl Skates (use the code RGS10 to get 10% off) and Sin City Skates are both really great online stores for roller derby gear! We suggest Reidell R3 or Suregrip Boxers as good beginner roller derby skates. ***Swell-O-Phonic can order skates and roller derby gear for about $5-$10 cheaper than online... Check them out!***
If you want some cute practice clothes, check out Wicked Skatewear for your derby duds!
Am I too big or too small?
The beauty of derby is that there is a position for EVERYONE! We need tiny girls to get through the pack easily. We also need bigger girls to block the opposing team's skaters. If you are willing to get out there and give your all, derby is for YOU!
I don't think I'm tough enough, but I want to try derby!
That's fine! As long as you are willing to be toughened up and give 100%, you will do fine in derby. It is not about who's the best skater or who's the fastest. It is about team work and everyone working together!!!! MRV believes in everyone growing as a team and each person helping out each other to become the best they can be on and off the track. We invite you to come check out our practices and see if derby is for you!
How old do you have to be to play roller derby?
You must be 14 years or older to become a member of the Magnolia Roller Vixens. The junior team is comprised of skaters, refs, cheerleaders, and jr bench coaches ages 14-17. The women's league is comprised of skaters, refs, and bench coaches ages 18 and up. Don't ever feel you are too old to play roller derby! If you are in shape and willing to try it, you may suprise yourself!!! There are leagues that have skaters well into their 50s that are very successful in the sport!
I'm a guy, but I want to participate. What can I do?
Men are welcome in derby! We need refs, bench coaches, trainers, volunteers, and cheer persons! If you want to help and be a part of derby, we will find something for you to do! You are not required to skate, unless you want to ;)
I want to ref! What's required?
Referees have it a little easier. Refs can wear quad skates, rollerblades, or regular shoes. Non-skating officials will usually keep up with penalties, stats, and the score. Skating referees will need to wear full protective gear while skating. If you are interested in reffing, email freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com. Just like skaters interested in joining, we encourage you to stop by our open practice to see what practice is like, meet the team, and talk to our recruiting chair about what gear you will need to start!
I want to cheer! What do I need to do?
Cheerleaders are required to have at least one practice a week, help promote events, and perform routines during bouts. If you are intersted in cheering, email freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com or come byour open practice. Cheerleaders can be 14+ and can be male or female.
What is Jr. Derby?
The Magnolia Roller Vixens formed a junior roller derby team in Nov. 2008. The junior team is a great way to get your 14-17 year old into a sport that promotes female empowerment, team working skills, leadership, and healthy physical fitness! MRV wants to help the youth of the Jackson metro area by giving them another sport to be a part of, big sisters to look up to, and giving them a venue to do something positive in their community by doing charity work. Jr. Derby skaters and refs must pay dues and must have USARS insurance just like a member of the women's league. Junior league practices will follow the same schedule as the women's league. We will work closely with each skater to teach them the fundamentals of roller skating and roller derby safety. Junior skaters must supply their own gear (skates, pads, etc).
I'm used to the 1970's roller derby, is roller derby still like that?
Roller derby is still a full contact sport. There is still a chance of getting hurt. Flat track roller derby is a little different than the derby that Ann Calvello played. For one, we play on a flat track, not a banked track. There are rules regarding what legal hits are and the conduct on the track. You can't clothesline people or trip or FIGHT. Many of the fights on the TV version of roller derby were staged. Everything you see during bouts today are real. We suggest watching a few videos of roller derby bouts to see what it is like.
What if I can't skate?
Don't worry, we'll teach you!!! Since our league is in the beginning stages, we are going over the basics to make sure that every skater gets the foundation they need to succeed in roller derby. Many of our skaters started out not knowing how to skate. Now they are very good skaters that improve with each practice. If you are still hesitant about skating, there are many non-skating positions you can do such as ref, volunteer, keep score and stats, and cheer! You can always start as a volunteer, ref, or cheerleader then move to skating when you feel you are ready.
How often do you practice?
Our league practices at least 2 times a week. Each member is required to meet a minimum percentage of practice time as outlined in our league handbook. We will often have extra practice sessions to work on certain skills or to do strengthening and conditioning excercises. The practices are tough, but that is what makes us all better skaters!!!
Where can I get gear?
You will need quad speed skates and protection gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and mouthguard). You can get most of this locally from Academy Sports and Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Clinton Funtime Skateland, and Swell-O-Phonic in Fondren sell some of the gear. Also, Rollergirl Skates (use the code RGS10 to get 10% off) and Sin City Skates are both really great online stores for roller derby gear! We suggest Reidell R3 or Suregrip Boxers as good beginner roller derby skates. ***Swell-O-Phonic can order skates and roller derby gear for about $5-$10 cheaper than online... Check them out!***
If you want some cute practice clothes, check out Wicked Skatewear for your derby duds!
Am I too big or too small?
The beauty of derby is that there is a position for EVERYONE! We need tiny girls to get through the pack easily. We also need bigger girls to block the opposing team's skaters. If you are willing to get out there and give your all, derby is for YOU!
I don't think I'm tough enough, but I want to try derby!
That's fine! As long as you are willing to be toughened up and give 100%, you will do fine in derby. It is not about who's the best skater or who's the fastest. It is about team work and everyone working together!!!! MRV believes in everyone growing as a team and each person helping out each other to become the best they can be on and off the track. We invite you to come check out our practices and see if derby is for you!
How old do you have to be to play roller derby?
You must be 14 years or older to become a member of the Magnolia Roller Vixens. The junior team is comprised of skaters, refs, cheerleaders, and jr bench coaches ages 14-17. The women's league is comprised of skaters, refs, and bench coaches ages 18 and up. Don't ever feel you are too old to play roller derby! If you are in shape and willing to try it, you may suprise yourself!!! There are leagues that have skaters well into their 50s that are very successful in the sport!
I'm a guy, but I want to participate. What can I do?
Men are welcome in derby! We need refs, bench coaches, trainers, volunteers, and cheer persons! If you want to help and be a part of derby, we will find something for you to do! You are not required to skate, unless you want to ;)
I want to ref! What's required?
Referees have it a little easier. Refs can wear quad skates, rollerblades, or regular shoes. Non-skating officials will usually keep up with penalties, stats, and the score. Skating referees will need to wear full protective gear while skating. If you are interested in reffing, email freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com. Just like skaters interested in joining, we encourage you to stop by our open practice to see what practice is like, meet the team, and talk to our recruiting chair about what gear you will need to start!
I want to cheer! What do I need to do?
Cheerleaders are required to have at least one practice a week, help promote events, and perform routines during bouts. If you are intersted in cheering, email freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com or come byour open practice. Cheerleaders can be 14+ and can be male or female.
What is Jr. Derby?
The Magnolia Roller Vixens formed a junior roller derby team in Nov. 2008. The junior team is a great way to get your 14-17 year old into a sport that promotes female empowerment, team working skills, leadership, and healthy physical fitness! MRV wants to help the youth of the Jackson metro area by giving them another sport to be a part of, big sisters to look up to, and giving them a venue to do something positive in their community by doing charity work. Jr. Derby skaters and refs must pay dues and must have USARS insurance just like a member of the women's league. Junior league practices will follow the same schedule as the women's league. We will work closely with each skater to teach them the fundamentals of roller skating and roller derby safety. Junior skaters must supply their own gear (skates, pads, etc).
I'm used to the 1970's roller derby, is roller derby still like that?
Roller derby is still a full contact sport. There is still a chance of getting hurt. Flat track roller derby is a little different than the derby that Ann Calvello played. For one, we play on a flat track, not a banked track. There are rules regarding what legal hits are and the conduct on the track. You can't clothesline people or trip or FIGHT. Many of the fights on the TV version of roller derby were staged. Everything you see during bouts today are real. We suggest watching a few videos of roller derby bouts to see what it is like.
What are the costs of derby?
The initial costs will be the greatest. Each skater and skating ref will need to have or purchase quad speed skates ($60-$200), pads (elbow, knee, and wrist guards $15-$40), a helmet ($20-$30), and a mouth guard ($2-$20) to start practicing with the Vixens. The league also has monthly dues and a once a year fee for USA Roller Sports supplemental insurance. Monthly dues are required by Adult and Junior skaters.
Non-skating members will only be required to pay monthly dues (excluding cheerleaders who do not pay dues). Referees and coaches will have to purchase USARS insurance.
Do I need insurance?
You must have USA Roller Sports supplemental insurance. This is $55/year. You are not required to have primary insurance. However, you will be required to sign a liability waiver.
What are the monthly dues for?
Dues help pay for the operating costs of the league. This includes practice space rental, bout location rental, ordering merch, and advertising. As the team grows in size, the cost of monthly dues will change.
I have kids, can I still do derby?
YES! If your kids are older, you are more than welcome to bring them to practice. If you have younger children, we can suggest babysitters if you do not already have one.
Okay, I'm interested!!! How do I sign up?
Send an email to freshmeat@magnoliarollervixens.com with your name, contact information, and what you are intersted in doing. We will get back with you and tell you our practice location and time so you can come watch a few practices and meet the team!
