Freedom Belles roller derby = Friendship, fitness and fun

Team Andrews member Airman 1st Class Kevin Pertuit, 779th Medical Squadron medical logistics technician, demonstrates his skating skills during tryouts for the Freedom Belles roller derby league at the Waldorf Roller Rink on March 14.The Freedom Belles are a Class 3 Modern Athletic Derby Endeavors (MADE) flat-track rookie league. For more information on how to join the league or volunteer, visit the Freedom Belles roller derby open tryouts Facebook site.

Whoosh! An exhilarating breeze filled the air in the Waldorf Roller Skating Rink as military members and their dependents coasted over the high-shine wooden floor during tryouts for the Freedom Belles roller derby league on March 14.

Air National Guard spouse, Veronica Cecil, founded this Class 3 Modern Athletic Derby Endeavors (MADE) flat-track rookie league.

According to http://www.skatemade.org, the mission of MADE is to serve as a modern implement of roller derby; to protect and promote athletes while providing spectators with an organized and entertaining experience.

The Freedom Belles roller derby league was established primarily for military members and their families; however, civilians are welcome to tryout as well, said Cecil. When my husband, Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Cecil, Air National Guard superintendent of recruiting and retention, and I were stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan for a year and six months; I was on a league there. Thats when I found that I loved this sport so much that I couldnt live without it. So I decided to start my own league here.

Cecil evaluated participants on balance and comfort level on skates during the tryouts and said a more in-depth assessment of crossovers, falls and other derby techniques will occur during an upcoming six-week clinic.

People trying out for the league ranged from experienced derbies with athletic prowess to novice skaters.

I was pretty intimidated at first because I havent really skated since I was ten, said Melissa Tripsy Sparkles Fowler, Freedom Belles Army spouse. Ive been at it for about four months and its a fun, really good workout.

The school of hard knocks seems to be the best teacher when it comes to learning the heart-pounding, fast-rolling sport of roller derby.

Falling is part of the fun, as noted by the chorus of applause and cheer from teammates who are there to help you get up and rolling again should you fall.

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Freedom Belles roller derby = Friendship, fitness and fun