Our Mission
Our league is dedicated to youth empowerment through the sport of roller derby. We provide opportunities for all youth skaters, from beginner through advanced, ages 7+. Our mission is to nurture bold self-confidence in skaters by developing teamwork and athletic ability while treasuring individuality in a culture of integration, encouragement and service to others. We strive to enable derby athletes and teams to reach their full potential, to be competitive at the highest level of roller derby, and to become valuable contributors to our community.
League History
Santa Cruz Derby Groms was founded over a decade ago, having started as a summer camp in 2009 run by the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. Between 2010 and 2015 the league operated seasonally and was maxed out at 40 skaters. In 2015, the Groms became members of the Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) and competed for world rankings and championships for the first time. The league shifted to year-round operation in 2016 and began to grow with the addition of the Grommets Training Program in 2017, expanding accessibility to junior roller derby to more of our community's youth. This time period also coincides with the rise of our competitive team within the JRDA rankings, including our league's first gold medal national championship title win in 2018. By 2019 the Groms had matured into a fully functional independent league and completed the process of forming our own 501(c)(3) volunteer run non-profit. Our league now has over 150 skaters within the Grommets training program, age division home teams, and our JRDA charter teams.
We've expanded our offerings in 2024 through the formation of a new competitive team for our age out skaters 18+. Our Groms Legacy WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) team provides opportunities for Groms skaters who are aging out of junior derby and want to continue playing competitive roller derby at the highest level while maintaining the strong bonds with our coaches and our league. We're excited to see what Groms Legacy can accomplish!
We've expanded our offerings in 2024 through the formation of a new competitive team for our age out skaters 18+. Our Groms Legacy WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) team provides opportunities for Groms skaters who are aging out of junior derby and want to continue playing competitive roller derby at the highest level while maintaining the strong bonds with our coaches and our league. We're excited to see what Groms Legacy can accomplish!
Contribution to the Community
Our coaches challenge our youth athletes to achieve their full potential as roller derby athletes and we have been successful. The Groms are a top performing league within the JRDA, have qualified for the world championship tournament for the past 7 seasons, and have advanced to the final championship game for the last 6 seasons, taking home 6 medals, including gold and the national championship title in 2018, 2023, and 2024.
We have found that junior roller derby is much more rewarding than just achieving greatness on the track. The opportunities that we provide for youth, and especially for young women, has yielded amazing benefits. Through their involvement with the sport and our derby community, we consistently see and hear from parents about their growth in self-confidence, positive body image, leadership and team working skills, and what it takes to build trust and accountability. They participate in healthy competition as a team and together they learn that it’s OK to be heard, to take up space, and to aggressively pursue their goals both on and off the track.
We are starting to see skaters that started with our league a decade ago heading out into the world as adults as they turn 18. Twenty-seven skaters have graduated from our junior league, with nearly all of them pursuing higher education. Those that are studying locally also give back to our derby program by serving as coaches, helping to bring up the next generation of confident young women. We are extremely proud of all of these kids and look forward to seeing the great things that they go on to accomplish in the world!
We have found that junior roller derby is much more rewarding than just achieving greatness on the track. The opportunities that we provide for youth, and especially for young women, has yielded amazing benefits. Through their involvement with the sport and our derby community, we consistently see and hear from parents about their growth in self-confidence, positive body image, leadership and team working skills, and what it takes to build trust and accountability. They participate in healthy competition as a team and together they learn that it’s OK to be heard, to take up space, and to aggressively pursue their goals both on and off the track.
We are starting to see skaters that started with our league a decade ago heading out into the world as adults as they turn 18. Twenty-seven skaters have graduated from our junior league, with nearly all of them pursuing higher education. Those that are studying locally also give back to our derby program by serving as coaches, helping to bring up the next generation of confident young women. We are extremely proud of all of these kids and look forward to seeing the great things that they go on to accomplish in the world!
Vision for the Future
Our vision for the future is made up of three main goals outlined below. We need your help to achieve our goals as a volunteer or donor.
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Foster the Junior Derby Community
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Expand Youth Engagement in Sport
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Develop a Roller Sports Community Center
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Roller Sports Community Center
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Safe, Accessible, and Reliable Place to Skate
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Reconfigurable Multidisciplinary Space
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Leadership Team
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Shana Kerr President Shana found roller derby in 2011 as a skater, began coaching in 2014, and has been leading the Groms league since 2016. Under her leadership, the league's skater membership has grown about 5 fold with the addition of the Grommets training program expanding opportunities for all junior skaters aged 7+ to get started with junior derby. During this period she has also coached the Gromshells to qualify for 8 consecutive junior roller derby championships, including three silver medal finishes, and three gold medal championship wins. Her success is driven by her passion for coaching skaters to achieve their athletic potential, which has the positive lessons of teamwork, accountability, and reliability. Prior to roller derby, Shana had earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona as well as formed and operated a non-profit animal rescue. |
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Chris Kerr Vice President Chris became involved in roller derby in 2012 as a referee, served as the head coach of the Groms Junior Ref program for 3 seasons, and began coaching the Gromshells in 2016 along side his wife Shana. He enjoys working on advanced skating skills and strategy along side the skaters he coaches, taking pride in their progress as they work hard toward success, which the Gromshells have achieved advancing to the championship final game six times including claiming national champion status three times. He also works with our newest skaters in the Grommets training program and has taught foundation skating skills to over 300 beginners since the program’s inception. Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona, and leverages his skills from his professional life as an engineer to bring technical skill and fact based decision making to the leadership team. |
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Vanessa Platt Treasurer & Agent Vanessa began playing roller derby in 2011 for the Santa Cruz Derby Girls and has been a key member of the derby community ever since. She has served as a skater, a Santa Cruz Derby Girls board member, corner coach, and proud derby parent of Grom skater Mini Mayhem. As a member of the Groms leadership team, she puts her professional experience as a Certified Public Accountant to work as she helps manage our leagues finances and was also instrumental to the formation of the Groms 501(c)(3) non-profit. Vanessa is licensed as a CPA in California and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University Monterey Bay with an emphasis in accounting. |
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Trina McConner Secretary & Director Trina’s love for derby started long ago watching her dad’s roommates skate with the Bay Bombers at the Cow Palace leaving her with fond memories of empowered, amazing women on skates. She contributes to the Groms league in many ways, including helping plan events and fundraisers, working with our Groms Squad volunteers, sharing her amazing sewing skills, and bringing the voice of a skater parent to the leadership team. Her career in customer service and years of experience as a PTA board member have given her the patience and people skills that come in handy when welcoming new families to our derby community. Trina is happy to volunteer her time for junior roller derby, the sport that fosters confidence, tenacity, and leadership in her daughter, Groms skater Curl Crusher. |
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Yvonne Dietrich Director Yvonne’s involvement with roller derby began when her oldest daughter, Grom graduate Loose Cannon, began skating in 2010. Derby quickly became a family affair as she became more involved, her younger daughter Monkey Wrench began skating, and her husband Rhino volunteered as a photographer and skating official. Over the years she’s been a fan, non-skating official, officials coordinator, charter team travel coordinator, and is now also a board member. Her role on the Groms board of directors comes natural to her as she organizes business events in her professional life as an Events Director at a local non-profit. Yvonne’s motivation to serve on the board of directors is driven by her desire to support her daughters, the sport of junior roller derby and its community. |
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Carter Nielsen Director Carter became involved with roller derby when his daughter, Tinker Hell, began skating in 2010. He brings logistics and business management experience to the board of directors. |
