Spring has arrived and one of the first true signs of spring is the return of the Sea to Sky Sirens roller derby team to Brennan Park Arena.
But the Sirens aren't about chirping birds and blooming flowers - the third-year squad is about big hits, cheers and booty shorts. The team kicks off its third season on Saturday (May 25) when they host the Tournament City Deadlies from Kamloops.
"We're pretty excited," said Kristi "Roxie Shocker" Anderson. "It's the second time we've played Kamloops. We played them two years ago and they did win but I think they're used to playing in the heat and we weren't."
Anderson said the Deadlies are an athletic team and also noted that the Sirens are hoping to get healthy. Star players Shannon "Mala Justed" Handley and Genevieve "Honey Badger" Medrano are both questionable for the home opener after suffering injuries.
"It should be a challenge for us," Anderson said. "We've got a bunch of injuries and could be losing two of our best players. Let's hope they heal up but both of their statuses are up in the air."
The Sirens kicked off the 2013 schedule with a surprising loss to Whistler's Black Diamond Betties on April 15. The game took place at the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival and marked the Betties' home debut. It was also the first time the Sirens had ever lost to their rivals.
"I think we got a little caught up in the big bright lights and the Jumbotron," Anderson said of the loss. "It was so loud in there and we couldn't even hear the refs when you got a penalty. We also played our rookies a lot more than we normally would but they're way better than last year."
Anderson and the Sirens will get an opportunity for redemption on July 13 when the Betties come to Brennan Park. That bout will wrap up the 2013 home season for the squad, with a visit from Vancouver's Riot Girls on June 15.
The Sirens got back on the winning track on May 11 with a 243-128 win over the Brickhouse Betties from Comox. Anderson said it was a nice win and the new blood on the team came together in the victory.
"It was a pretty big win," she said. "We didn't look like we did in Whistler - we were more like the Sirens. We had solid walls and were back to the way we should be. We had some good bonding with our three rookies this year on this trip and they're fitting in pretty good."
The team hopes to continue its winning ways on Saturday against the Deadlies. The night will feature a beer garden, music from DJ Shawn LaRock and a food truck outside. Doors open for the event at 6:30 p.m., with the first whistle being blown at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and all kids aged eight and under are free. Advance tickets are available at Agnes Jean Boutique and The Naked Lunch. For more information on the team, visit www.squamishrollerderby.ca.
