UWindsor alumnae Veronica Van Winckle aka Big V, Adele Dollar aka Delirious and Sandra Caradonna aka Diana Boss block an opposing skater in a 2025 roller derby game in Guelph, On. (SKYLAR SAWYER/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
For the first time since 2019, residents of Windsor-Essex will have a chance to see Windsor Roller Derby (WRD) play locally.
Founded in 2010 as Border City Brawlers, the league has been playing exclusively on the road for the last few years.
June 6 marks their return to home track with UWindsor staff, students and alumni among those gearing up for a game at Tecumseh Arena.
What is roller derby?
The roller derby of today is very different from what some may recall from vintage TV.
Not only is it typically played on a flat track, most importantly, nothing is staged. The sport is still full-contact, but you won’t catch skaters throwing elbows without at minimum a trip to the penalty box.
The aim is to get each team’s jammer — the player with the stars on their helmet — past the other team while opposing skaters make that task as difficult as possible.
Teacher candidate to make derby debut
Bachelor of Education student Maeve Guenette (BMath ’24) will be both graduating and making her roller derby debut this June, skating under the name Maeday.
Having played hockey as a child, Guenette saw derby as an opportunity to return to athletics.
“I wanted to skate again and feel myself fly again,” she says.
As a trans woman, Guenette is all-too-familiar with the barriers trans women face accessing women’s spaces, including sport.
“I felt that derby was a very trans positive sport that would accept me,” she says. “I feel utterly supported and like I have two times each week (at practice) where I am valued and wanted.”
In the lead up to her first game ever, Guenette is nervous but excited, having dreamed of jamming in a game long before ever joining the league.
"Now with it being so close, I'm just excited to play the game in full and be with more nice people,” she says.
Come for the skating, stay for the community
Master of Education candidate Sheena Brennan (BA ’09, BEd ’24) also recently completed her derby 101 training with WRD.
“I love roller skating,” she says. “Roller derby tricks me into working muscles I don't normally exercise because it makes the workout fun.”
While the skating may have been the initial draw, she stuck around because of the community.
“People of all experience levels come together, and everyone is always willing to help others learn a new skill,” she says. “We constantly push and support one another.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by UWindsor modern languages alumna and fellow recent recruit Kerri Ringrose (BA ’08), who will be a non-skating official for the June game.
“My decision to join came from my passion for keeping my mind and body active, learning new skills, challenging myself and meeting a new community of people,” she says.
Visual arts alumna Rachel Soulliere (BA ’12) shares this motivation, having joined in 2023 for the skating but finding herself hooked on the people.
“It’s such an inspiring, encouraging and fun group, and I appreciate how much of a safe space it is for everyone, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” says Soulliere, who plays under the name Foxglove.
“It has been such a confidence boost to prove to myself what I’m capable of.”
Alumna brings veteran presence to the track
Among the most veteran presences on the track this season will be two-time UWindsor alumna Karlene Nielsen (BA ’07, MSW ’10), aka Trackula, who has been jamming since 2015.
Returning to home track is a big deal for Nielsen who often gets asked when Windsorites can finally attend another home game.
“This game represents the recovery of our sport from the impacts of the pandemic,” Nielsen says. “We are re-building our league, and this is a time to celebrate how far we have come.”
Contributing to this re-building process is philosophy alumna Veronica Van Winckle (BA ’16), aka Big V, who has become a steady presence on the track since joining skate school and subsequently derby 101 in 2023.
"At skate school I found people I wanted to be around and an activity I couldn't live without, so joining roller derby and getting to skate all the time with these wonderful people was a no brainer,” she says.
UWindsor staffer trades skating for coaching
With 15 years of roller derby behind her, UWindsor staffer and alumna Dana Seguin (BA ’13) will be behind the bench on June 6. Seguin, who joined soon after the league’s founding, played until 2016 when she shifted toward coaching.
“You can’t beat the energy of playing at home,” says Seguin. “It’s a great opportunity for people to come experience derby for the first time.”
UWindsor staff member and alumna Dana Seguin (BA ’13) (kneeling second from right) is a former player and now coach for Windsor Roller Derby. Also pictured are alumnae Sandra Caradonna aka Diana Boss (BFA ’10), Rachel Soulliere aka Foxglove (BA ’12), Adele Dollar aka Delirious (BFA ‘05), Karlene Nielsen aka Trackula (BA ’07, MSW ’10), Kate Hargreaves aka Pain Eyre (BA ’10, MA ’12, MEd ’24, PhD candidate) and Veronica Van Winckle aka Big V (BA ’16) as well as biology student Rory Desrosier aka Labrat (SKYLAR SAWYER/University of Windsor)
Ready to check out a game?
For those ready to see roller derby for the first time or as returning fans, WRD will host Norfolk June 6 at Tecumseh Arena with the first whistle at 5 p.m.
“You’re going to see a few dozen athletes leaving it all out there on the track, having the time of their lives,” says Van Winckle.
This family-friendly event is sponsored in part by CUPE 1393 with admission by donation.
“It’s fun for all ages, and the energy is always high,” adds Seguin.
“Even if you don’t know anything about the sport, I can guarantee you’ll have a blast.”
For more information, visit WindsorRollerDerby.com.