Yorkton’s Broadway Betties roller derby team will be giving local area fans their first taste of the sport with a ‘Black and White’ scrimmage to be held at the Springside Arena Saturday, Nov. 17.

“It’s the first time for us,” said team spokesperson Kim Hyshka, who noted the scrimmage will be a chance to show local fans how the game is played.

“It’s ran exactly like a game,” she said, noting skaters from as far away as Lethbridge are expected to participate.

Hyshka said they already have about 50 skaters from clubs in Whitewood, Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and other communities signed up.

Hyshka said the sport is a full-contact one which is attracting women in communities all over the province, she herself playing with Whitewood at present as the Betties move toward being ready to field a team locally.

The players will be divided into teams with two or three games that are played over two 30-minute halves, taking place.

“The wheels roll at 4 (p.m.),” she said.

There are about 10 women currently involved with the Betties club as it moves toward having an active team, said Hyshka, noting only about four will be participating in the scrimmage because the others have not achieved the necessary benchmarks to play according to sport rules.

The standards have been set by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, although they can vary slightly from league to league.

Roller derby is played with five skaters on the floor at a time, so 10 makes for a solid line-up. A game can be played in a facility such as a curling rink, or hockey arena on the cement when the ice is out.

Tickets for the event will be available at the door for $10, with proceeds going to help the Betties develop as a team.

You can follow the team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/yorktonrollerderby/?fref=ts