Honour Rollers derby team to host spelling bee fundraiser

It won’t be just an average night at the pub.

The Honour Rollers roller derby team will be putting minds to the test with its inaugural spelling bee fundraiser, Nov. 10 at Killarney’s in Airdrie.

The fundraiser is the first for the team, which was formed in May, along with the Rocky View Roller Derby Association. According to Monique Beeson, the money raised at the event will go towards purchasing uniforms for the Honour Rollers, as well as a second team, the Real Hell Wives of Rocky View County.

“Since our league just started in May and this is our first year of fundraising, it’s most important,” she said.

The team is currently practicing at Genesis Place and will compete out of the Pete Knight Arena in Crossfield in the spring. The league was created by a group of women who had previously competed in a league in Calgary and noticed that there wasn’t a league within Rocky View county. An organizational meeting held in April drew a lot of interest and the Rocky View Roller Derby Association was created.

Beeson moved to Airdrie when the league was created. She previously competed with a team in Edmonton and was surprised to see how much interest for roller derby there was in the area.

“When I used to come out here and go skating around, it seemed very family oriented and I didn’t think there would be a lot of girls interested in it,” she said. “It’s amazing how many women are interested in full-contact sports. It gives you a sense of power and an outlet. You get to wear cute outfits, play a different sport and take on a different persona.”

The Dorky Derby Spelling Bee starts at 8 p.m. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $20, which includes entry into the contest, a beverage and a burger. There will also be a silent auction.

Tickets are available at www.honourrollers.eventbrite.com