Iowa City Bruisers junior roller derby celebrates anniversary

In the midst of a full-contact sport, some Iowa City kids have found safety and comfort.

Since the Iowa City Bruisers, a junior roller derby team, was established about a year ago, the organization has been helping kids like Ileana Knapp.

Knapp, who is 14, was diagnosed with depression last year, chose roller derby as her outlet and said its made her feel happier and more confident.

Ileana is one of about 30 active competitive members of the Iowa City Bruisers, a free roller derby team for kids ages 6 to 17. The Bruisers practice twice a week, Sunday mornings and Monday nights, and compete in bouts with other junior roller derby teams. Noncompetitive members also are welcome.

'We've had a lot of kids come into this sport who were kind of misfit kids and they've kind of found their niche here,” said Claire Czerwionka, a coach for the Iowa City Bruisers. 'We're very accepting of all types of kids.”

The team was founded by Brian and Veronica Ferreira after they moved to Iowa City. Both were officials in adult leagues and brought their kids to Old Capitol City Roller Derby games.

The couple's children wanted to be involved in the sport but the closest teams were in the Quad Cities or Des Moines. After talking with skaters from Old Capitol City, the couple decided there was enough interest in the area to create a junior team.

It does not cost anything to join the team. The team also offers free roller skates and safety equipment for those who cannot afford them.

Many of the people involved in the creation of the Bruisers work for the school district, so the Bruisers have access to their practice space and the school district or Parks and Recreation's skates to keep costs low for kids who want to join.

Andrea Mascher, a Bruisers coach and board member, said roller derby may have a negative reputation for being violent. But there are numerous benefits of the sport for kids, she said. Because the league is co-ed and allows a wide range of ages, skaters learn how to be a member of a team and interact with kids who they might not otherwise meet, she said.

'I think roller derby is special in a way that it promotes a team and family sort of environment to be athletic in a nontradtional sense,” said Katie Lytle, whose daughter Marley, 6, competes on the team. 'They get that confidence boost that sports brings them without forcing them to fit into something.”

Phoebe Burt, 12, has been a skater on the Iowa City Bruisers for about a year. In addition to all the support she receives from the Bruisers' coaches, Phoebe said roller derby also has taught her to remain positive and learn how to not 'get knocked down,”

'It teaches you how to be a better person in a lot of ways, actually,” Phoebe said. 'It's taught me how to be a better friend, how to take care of myself. It has built my self esteem a whole lot.”