It’s something Esther Beauregard has been waiting for, for months.
For Beauregard, not only does April mark the beginning of a new roller derby season with the Eves of Destruction league, butit is also the beginning of the league’s first full season as part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
The WFTDA is the international governing body for the sport of women’s flat track roller derby, consisting of 400 WFTDAmember leagues and 52 leagues in the apprentice program from around the world. Being a part of the association will allowthe six Eves of Destruction teams and roughly 50 Greater Victoria players to compete against higher-level teams, andparticipate in tournaments.
According to Beauregard, the league is poised for a breakout season as part of the association’s apprentice program and isexcited about being exposed to a higher level of play, with more opporunities to travel and compete on a larger stage.
“Twenty-seventeen is going to be a really big year for us,” said Beauregard, noting the league was accepted into theassociation in November. “It’s (being part of the association) means bigger events, bigger venues, higher competition level.It’s an exciting time for us.”
While she admits there will be a bit of a learning curve for all teams to adapt to a faster, more competitive style of play, someteams have already started conditioning, learning from coaches and skaters who have competed in WFTDA-sanctioned play inthe past.
“We’ll be the underdogs for a little bit, but looking to make a name for ourselves,” said Beauregard, who plays with theMargarita Villains.
The Eves of Destruction hope to be a full member of the association by 2018 and to one day be involved in playoffs.
The league’s season kicked off last Saturday with the Belles of the Brawl defeating the BrickHouse Betties, its up-Island rivalsfrom Comox, at the Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt. The Heartless Heathers from Portland, Oregon defeated theMargarita Villains.
The next home game takes place Saturday, May 6, beginning at 5 p.m., with the Hard Cores taking on Powell River’sPow!Town Roller Derby. Following that game, the Margarita Villains will face off against Nanaimo’s Harbour City Rollers at7:30 p.m.
For more information visit evesofdestructionrollerderby.com.