West Kootenay Kannibelles prepare to take on Raggedy Rollers, hear the lamentations of their menfolk...this weekend!

By Adrian Barnes

This Saturday night, the West Kootenay’s all-star Kootenay Kannibelles will demoralize, decimate, defenestrate, and (possibly, if only metaphorically) decapitate the Okanagan-Shushwap’s Raggedy Rollers in a match at the Rossland Arena.

This week the Telegraph spoke with SylvestHer StallOwn, President of the West Kootenay Roller Derby Women's League--and founder of the new Trail team, The Bad News Betties. StallOwn is looking forward to an action-packed--and busy--season.

“We’ve got a jam packed schedule with 26 games. That's a lot of roller derby for the West Kootenays. The all-star Kootenay Kannibelles will be playing this weekend. They haven’t played for a home audience yet. Trail's Bad News Betties and Slocan's Valley Vendettas are also debuting for the regular season.”

StallOwn, who also plays for the Bad News Betties, is excited at the growth she sees in her sport. “Roller derby is not only the fastest growing sport in our region, but seemingly the world.”

Why?

“I'm not sure what to attribute to this phenomenon except to say that it's like no sport anybody has ever seen.  It is a sport that embraces the toughness of women and doesn't try to water it down. It's also this incredible community that has its ups and downs but a community in which there is room for everyone.”

StallOwn is committed to the sport, having found it to be a life-changing experience. When asked if she’s in it for the long haul, she doesn’t hesitate.

“I certainly hope so! I can't even remember what I did before I started playing roller derby, and I've heard the same sentiment echoed by many other women in our league.”

If you’re curious as to what makes people so committed to the gentle art of the derby, perhaps consider taking in this weekend’s match. StallOwn thinks you’ll get your money’s worth.

“This weekend people will be exposed to a high level roller derby game. The Kannibelles are the best of the best in the region with it being the only team that one has to try out for, quarterly! They are playing against the Okanagan Schuswap's Raggedy Rollers which is also the best of that region. It will be some pretty amazing derby!”

Game time is 6pm at the Rossland Arena. Be there.