WARSAW – Roller derby in Kosciusko County has become a popular entity, with two women’s teams already established. A third derby team, this time for kids, is set to take off.

K-County Roller Derby is a startup program for boys and girls ages 8-16, and while it isn’t completely brand new, is working to get its skates loosened up. The team officially began last year as an entry program for kids to learn the sport of roller derby, and even got a chance to demonstrate some of its adaptations during a Lake City Roller Dolls bout last fall.

K-County Roller Derby skaters pose with the Lake City Roller Dolls last October. (Photos courtesy of Andy Kerr Photography)

With a dozen kids on board, the team is looking for more interested skaters looking for a fun way to burn off some energy.

“K-County is a family-friendly group for boys and girls ages eight through sixteen to that teaches the basic fundamentals of roller derby,” said K-County head coach Bobbie Tevis, who is a former Roller Doll and Fort Wayne Derby Girl. “More importantly, is teaches acceptance in that everyone plays an important role working together as a team. Regardless of your size, shape, boy or girl, shy, outspoken, you will fit into roller derby. All that is required is to look forward to having a great time, learning a new sport, getting up and moving and making new friends that quickly become family.

“You don’t need to know how to skate,” continued Tevis. “That is what we are here for! We will grow into a competitive team in time as we hone and tighten up our skills.”

As of the end of March, K-County has one bout scheduled for August 13 in Merrillville with Lake Effects Junior Derby, as well as a practice/scrimmage with Lake Effects in Merrillville the last weekend of April. As K-County develops more of a solid program, according to Tevis, the hope is to generate more activity close to home, which is currently Hansen’s Eastlake Skate Center in Warsaw.

Practices for the team at 8-10 a.m. Saturday at Hansen’s, and anyone within the age group is invited to join. The team has a Facebook page as well as a website with information on how to become a member, or just what’s going on with the program.