We have opportunities for junior skaters of all levels from beginner through advanced. New skaters can get started with junior roller derby by joining our Grommets training program where we will teach you how to skate and the basics of the game. Our league's team structure is setup as a progression from beginner through advanced and it all starts with Grommets. The program runs year-round and tailored specifically for beginners between the ages of 7 and 17 who are learning to skate and want to gain experience with junior roller derby basics. Grommets skaters who have learned the foundations of skating and the game will have the opportunity to join our home teams where they can further progress their skating skills and begin full-contact gameplay while learning roller derby strategy and teamwork. Skaters who join us with prior junior derby experience are welcomed to transfer to the Groms anytime and will be placed on a team that is best fit for them.
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Grommets Training Program
The Grommets training program is designed for new skaters who want to learn how to skate and would like to get started with junior roller derby. Training sessions are focused on basic skills: skating stance and stride, starts, stops, transitions, skating backward, laterals, working together with teammates, positional and light-contact roller derby, fun games on skates, falling safely and of course always getting back up! Practices are held on Saturdays from 1:30pm~3:00pm all year round at our private roller derby practice facility in Scotts Valley (located next to SkyPark). We onboard new league members at the beginning of each month. Learn more about the coaches, required skates and safety gear, and how to register for the program below. |
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Coaches
Our Grommets coaches are dedicated to the success of all junior skaters, leveraging their roller derby experience to teach them foundation skills of derby skating and the game. Our coaching staff is comprised of national championship level coaches and skaters who share their skills, knowledge, and passion for the game with the Grommets during practice.
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Roller Derby Skates & Safety Gear
Good quality skates and safety gear are important to ensure that your skater is setup for success and not hindered by their equipment. Here's a list of the equipment your skater will need:
Skateworks is our local skateshop that only sells good quality roller derby gear. Their staff can get your skater fitted and ready to roll. You can contact Skateworks at 831-427-4292 or visit the shop at 131 Center St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. We offer a gear rental program to help your Grommet get rolling. Gear rental is included for the first month at no extra cost. We can get you fitted with gear upon arrival at your onboarding day! |
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Costs & How to Get Started
New skaters pay a registration fee and all skaters pay monthly league membership dues. These costs fund the operations of the league (private practice facility rent, roller derby insurance, business expenses, etc.):
Steps to register for the program:
New skaters pay a registration fee and all skaters pay monthly league membership dues. These costs fund the operations of the league (private practice facility rent, roller derby insurance, business expenses, etc.):
- $50 registration fee (one time registration fee upon joining the league)
- $60 dues per month (monthly league membership dues are due on the 1st of each month)
Steps to register for the program:
- Fill-out our online registration form: Groms Registration Form
- Pay the registration fee and first month dues ($110 total)
- Fill-out waivers: Waivers & Releases
- Attend the first practice of the month for Groms league on-boarding
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How can I get started?
A: Fill out the online registration form, then we will schedule you for your onboarding day and send you an email with all of the information you'll need to get started.
Q: When is new skater onboarding offered?
A: We typically onboard new skaters on the first Saturday of each month. Skaters should arrive at 1:00pm so we can get you ready to roll by 1:30pm. We skate from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.
Q: Where are practices held?
A: Practices are held at our private indoor roller derby facility located in Scotts Valley, CA right next to SkyPark. We will send you directions after you've registered to join us.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: New skaters pay a $50 registration fee and all Grommets pay $60 monthly league membership dues. If you're renting gear, then the cost is an additional $25 per month. You'll receive an invoice by email at the beginning of each month.
Q: Can we just try it out before joining the league?
A: If you want to skate with us, then you need to join us as a league member.
Q: Do I need to know how to skate prior to joining?
A: Skating experience is not required and we will teach you how to skate. However, it is helpful if you've skated at least once or twice prior to your onboarding day (at the roller rink, at the park, with friends, etc.)
Q: What type of skates and safety gear is required?
A: You'll need quad roller skates (Riedell recommended), a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards (S1 recommended), and a fitted mouthguard (Sisu recommended). All can be purchased at Skateworks, our local skate shop in Santa Cruz.
Q: I don't have skates and safety gear, do you have loaner gear?
A: Yes, we have rental gear that is included for the first month at no extra cost. The cost for additional rental months is $25 per month.
Q: What are Grommets practices like?
A: Our coaches will work with you to learn the foundation skills of roller skating and the game of roller derby. The skills you'll learn are focused on basic skills like skating stance, stride, falling safely, starts, stops, transitions, skating backward, laterals, working together with teammates, and positional light-contact roller derby. A typical practice consists of a warm-up, working on skating agility, learning new skills through explanation of what we're working on along with a quick demo, practicing roller derby gameplay, and playing roller skating games that help build skills and agility.
Q: How is roller derby played?
A: You can watch a quick tutorial on how the game is played on YouTube here: Roller Derby 101. You can watch our four time national champion all-female travel team play a game at our facility here: Gromshells 2024 Playoffs.
Q: When can my skater start playing derby on a Groms home team?
A: The fundamental skills of Grommets skaters will be continually assessed by our coaches during practices and scrimmages. Once they have demonstrated proficiency in the fundamental skills, and coaching has determined that they are safe and skilled to confidently play full-contact roller derby, then they will have the opportunity to join a Groms home team if they are interested in pursuing full-contact roller derby.
Q: I have a question not answered here, how can I get ahold of a coach?
A: You can contact our coaches by email at [email protected]. You can contact Coach Neo by phone or text message at 480-586-7421.
Q: How can I get started?
A: Fill out the online registration form, then we will schedule you for your onboarding day and send you an email with all of the information you'll need to get started.
Q: When is new skater onboarding offered?
A: We typically onboard new skaters on the first Saturday of each month. Skaters should arrive at 1:00pm so we can get you ready to roll by 1:30pm. We skate from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.
Q: Where are practices held?
A: Practices are held at our private indoor roller derby facility located in Scotts Valley, CA right next to SkyPark. We will send you directions after you've registered to join us.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: New skaters pay a $50 registration fee and all Grommets pay $60 monthly league membership dues. If you're renting gear, then the cost is an additional $25 per month. You'll receive an invoice by email at the beginning of each month.
Q: Can we just try it out before joining the league?
A: If you want to skate with us, then you need to join us as a league member.
Q: Do I need to know how to skate prior to joining?
A: Skating experience is not required and we will teach you how to skate. However, it is helpful if you've skated at least once or twice prior to your onboarding day (at the roller rink, at the park, with friends, etc.)
Q: What type of skates and safety gear is required?
A: You'll need quad roller skates (Riedell recommended), a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards (S1 recommended), and a fitted mouthguard (Sisu recommended). All can be purchased at Skateworks, our local skate shop in Santa Cruz.
Q: I don't have skates and safety gear, do you have loaner gear?
A: Yes, we have rental gear that is included for the first month at no extra cost. The cost for additional rental months is $25 per month.
Q: What are Grommets practices like?
A: Our coaches will work with you to learn the foundation skills of roller skating and the game of roller derby. The skills you'll learn are focused on basic skills like skating stance, stride, falling safely, starts, stops, transitions, skating backward, laterals, working together with teammates, and positional light-contact roller derby. A typical practice consists of a warm-up, working on skating agility, learning new skills through explanation of what we're working on along with a quick demo, practicing roller derby gameplay, and playing roller skating games that help build skills and agility.
Q: How is roller derby played?
A: You can watch a quick tutorial on how the game is played on YouTube here: Roller Derby 101. You can watch our four time national champion all-female travel team play a game at our facility here: Gromshells 2024 Playoffs.
Q: When can my skater start playing derby on a Groms home team?
A: The fundamental skills of Grommets skaters will be continually assessed by our coaches during practices and scrimmages. Once they have demonstrated proficiency in the fundamental skills, and coaching has determined that they are safe and skilled to confidently play full-contact roller derby, then they will have the opportunity to join a Groms home team if they are interested in pursuing full-contact roller derby.
Q: I have a question not answered here, how can I get ahold of a coach?
A: You can contact our coaches by email at [email protected]. You can contact Coach Neo by phone or text message at 480-586-7421.