April Featured Partner: Gainesville Roller Rebels

The "Little Rebels" club's first meeting was full of children

BBBS is happy to announce the launch of its newest club hosted by Gainesville Roller Rebels (GRR), the “Little Rebels” Roller-skaters. GRR, a Florida non-profit organization, is Alachua County’s first competitive women’s flat track roller derby league, founded in 2007 by Ms. Rebel. Its main goal is the continued growth of skaters at every level and the creation of a well-rounded, competitive group of women athletes.

GRR ensures that the “Little Rebels” will learn how to roller skate, have fun and have a productive after-school activity to participate in. It is also committed to fostering athletic ability within a physically demanding environment helping our youth experience good sportsmanship, learn life skills and expand their horizons.

Here is what some of the GRR skaters had to say about the “Little Rebels”:

“I had a great time with Big Brothers Big Sisters showing the kids how to skate and watching them progress so quickly. By the end of the night we had some real pros on our hands. I also enjoy answering questions about Roller Derby for the kids, they’ve got some good ones, and I think sparking an interest in group sports will benefit the kids long term. We practice hard to stay strong and work together as a team. That’s the kind of experience I never had as a kid, but I’m glad I have it now.” –Scrap Iron (Leslie Tharp)

“It’s essential that children be involved in some type of active competitive play; sports can be a great way to prepare for the real world as an adult”. “The competitive nature that roller derby and other sports churns up is amazing, it can help the softest speaker truly carry a big stick”. “Keeping your body active, throughout your life, is an important step to staying healthy, when you do good, play hard, and have fun, you will be well.” –Sarah Jean

“Roller skating is a sport that children of different ages, sizes, and shapes can all excel at. This can provide kids positive feelings about their abilities to succeed at sports, even if they aren’t particularly athletic-minded. This is the case with my 8-year-old son, who isn’t really interested in playing sports like basketball, baseball, or football. Yet, give him a pair of skates, and he will roll for hours and try to see how fast he can go.” –Patsy Clothesline (Robin Morris)

“Roller Derby changed my life. I’ve never encountered a more body-positive, accepting sport and there are spots for girls and women of all shapes and sizes. You don’t have to choose between being feminine and being aggressive and powerful. I feel that if I had had Roller Derby in my life as a young girl, I would have been much more accepting of myself and my body. The Roller Derby community is amazing. There is a level of camaraderie and acceptance I have never found anywhere else and it even exists between teams.”  –Atomic Mel-Down (Melanie Devlin)

We wish to thank Gainesville Roller Rebels for providing the children in our community with this magnificent opportunity and making a difference in their lives.  Anyone interested in becoming a part of the “Little Rebels” can call our office at 352.375.2525 or visit our website www.bbbsmidflorida.org. Sign-up by clicking on all the clubs you’d like to participate in. All our clubs are free and open to the Littles in our program, the children on our waiting list and their siblings.