The Junior Rat Pack is gearing up for battle against a rival Melbourne team in today’s roller derby showdown.
The local roller skaters, who range in age from seven to 14, lost to the Victorian Roller Derby League’s junior team by 30 points in Melbourne earlier this year.
Coach Bec Franken said the club invited the Melbourne-based team for a rematch in Ballarat with the hope of winning in front of a home crowd.
“We’re the only regional junior team as far as I’m aware so there is not a huge amount of opportunity for the kids to bout,” Ms Franken said.
“We’ve also only just recently gained enough kids of a certain skill level to field a team.”
She said roller derby – where teams score points by lapping the opposition - was a fun sport that welcomed all shapes, sizes, ages, backgrounds and skill levels.
“They’re so competitive. They love just to get out there and skate and have fun – it’s not all about winning.”
The match kicks off at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon at Doug Dean Stadium.
