about us
Lansing Junior Roller Derby is dedicated to bringing the exciting sport of roller derby to youth of all genders, ages 7 to 17 years old, in Michigan’s Greater Lansing area. Our organization provides opportunities for all young athletes of all skill levels to learn and play in a fun, inclusive, safe and supportive space. This intentional environment allows young people to thrive both physically and mentally, develop a sense of healthy competition, and to grow as both athletes and individuals. In an effort to maintain this space, LJRD coaches and volunteers are held to strict policy standards, including background checks and SafeSport training. Lansing Junior Roller Derby provides free loaner gear and scholarship opportunities so that everyone can participate equitably.
Roller derby is considered an extreme youth sport, and as such Lansing Junior Roller Derby, will always prioritize your child’s safety by mandating protective equipment and high training standards for coaches and volunteers. The LJRD program aims to create a family-like network of participants from diverse communities, intentionally creating foundations for a healthy, active lifestyle while simultaneously improving their self-confidence, leadership skills, and overall social, mental and emotional well-being.
Lansing Junior Roller Derby is a member of the Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) and is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your tax deductible contribution will help support:
Scholarships creating equitable opportunity for youth to play roller derby
Continued investment and upkeep of our free loaner gear
Additional resources to keep our organization a standing member of the JRDA
The backstory
Originally founded in 2011 as the Cap City Wild Childs under East Lansing Roller Derby (formerly Lansing Mitten Mavens), Lansing’s junior roller derby program has been through several changes over the years. In 2014, the Wild Childs transitioned to new ownership under the Lansing Derby Vixens and rebranded to Lansing Junior Vixens. After a two year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic and as of result of the integration between Lansing’s two adult roller derby teams, in the year 2022, the juniors will have once again changed ownership, now under Lansing Roller Derby organization. LJRD is currently focused on rebranding, reorganizing and recruiting as new and improved, Lansing Junior Roller Derby.
What is the jrda?
The Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) is a public non-profit educational and amateur sports organization that is dedicated to advancing the growth of roller derby through the standardization of rules and goals for existing and new leagues. The mission of JRDA is to nurture bold self-confidence in youth by developing teamwork and athletic ability while treasuring individuality within a culture of integration, encouragement, and service to others.
What is the roller Derby?
Roller derby is a full-contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating counter-clockwise around a track. Roller derby is played by approximately 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, mostly inside the United States. Game play consists of a series of short match-ups, called jams, in which both teams designate a jammer and compete to pass more opponents than the other team. Teams need to play both offense and defense simultaneously in order to allow their Jammer to score unhindered, while preventing the opposing Jammer from doing so. Wikipedia
Lansing Junior Roller Derby plays by The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby, as published by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) with some changes to allow for skater safety, ability, and endurance, as documented in the JRDA Addenda.
Join us!
After reading all of this, are you ready to get started? We hope so! Fill out our new member interest form and our administration team will get back with you on upcoming skating opportunities. If you have any additional questions after reading online materials, please email lansingjuniorrollerderby@gmail.com. Hope to see you on the track soon!
body positivity
“My daughter is someone who is learning who she is and how she interacts through space with her body -- she has always been taller and larger than her peers ever since she was in preschool. Her body is strong; she is beautiful and smart and I don't think she always sees that. Historically, her school allowed an "everybody plays" motto to the two sports offered to females (volleyball and basketball); She has always played a defensive role and had a good time learning and playing with her friends. Roughly three weeks ago, we learned that the sports were all transitioning to a competitive model with only limited slots available to play. My daughter participated in the three-day volleyball tryout, but told me on the first day that she didn't think she would make the team because so many of the girls already played for travel teams or attended customized trainings. She did her best, and she did pretty well, but she was not offered a spot on the team. She took the cut well and seemed to put it in perspective, but the first words out of her mouth were, "there's no way I'm trying out for basketball." I didn't want Brooklyn to take this experience and internalize a false message that there was something wrong with her or her body, so we started looking for alternatives. We watched clips of roller derby on YouTube and livestreamed this weekend's match; she agreed that it looked like fun and said she'd give it a shot. I love the inclusivity of roller derby and the idea that Brooklyn's defensive skills can be put to good use in a team sport; she tends to be shy at first, but once she warms up, she is feisty, independent, and strategic. I just want to give her tools to help her find her tribe, and I'm hopeful that roller derby might be a place where she starts to figure out how she fits.” - Jessica (Junior parent to Blood, Bath and Beyond)
