It was love at first skate.

The thrill of the game, the instant bond to teammates, even the injuries couldn害羞草研究所檛 keep Amanda Nitchie away. Since stepping onto the track eight years ago she害羞草研究所檚 been hooked.

害羞草研究所淚 showed up to a practice and it was instant love害羞草研究所�,害羞草研究所� said Nitchie, #111 who goes by the derby name 害羞草研究所楳anda Moon.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚 bought skates and gear that week and I never looked back. I害羞草研究所檝e even sat out from games for a year and a half due to a knee injury but couldn害羞草研究所檛 leave my derby family and in that time I learned to be a referee and trainer for my league.害羞草研究所�

A house-cleaner by day, Nitchie couldn害羞草研究所檛 imagine her life without derby.

害羞草研究所淭o belong to a group of women who build and lift you up no matter your shape or walk of life was life changing,害羞草研究所� said Nitchie, who started in 2009 after reading an article in The Morning Star.

As a member of the newly minted team Farmers害羞草研究所� Slaughters, Nitchie will be hitting the track April 29 at Kal Tire Place for the Okanagan Shuswap Roller Derby Association害羞草研究所檚 April Pain event.

Taking home-track advantage, the Farmers害羞草研究所� Slaughters are up against the rival Cherry Bombs (of the Okanagan Roller Derby of Kelowna).

害羞草研究所淎pril Pain OSRDA vs OKRD will be a fast paced hard hitting game,害羞草研究所� said Nitchie, who plays PBJ (pivot, blocker, jammer). 害羞草研究所淲e just recently lost to them March 18 in Kelowna so we害羞草研究所檙e training hard to prepare for our rivals.害羞草研究所�

While these local ladies are sure to put on a riveting game, the event is also bringing some high level roller derby to town - the Women害羞草研究所檚 Flat Track Derby Association. The Rated PG Rollergirls are sending their WFTDA apprentice team the Rated PG Northstars to take on the Mainland Misfits害羞草研究所� team the Anarchy Angels.

Doors open to the derby at 5 p.m. with the first whistle being blown at 5:30, with a beverage garden and concession by Kal Tire Place. Tickets to the action-packed evening are $10 and available from local derby athletes or in Vernon at Extreme Pita, in Enderby at Hungry Jacks and in Salmon Arm at Connects Wireless.

Those who are further interested in the sport are also invited to get in touch to try it out.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e always accepting and willing to train new skaters even if you害羞草研究所檝e never worn eight wheels before,害羞草研究所� said Nitchie. 害羞草研究所淲e supply gear and a two-week free trail.害羞草研究所�

While Nitchie is a veteran on the team, the Farmers害羞草研究所� Slaughters is comprised of a number of new players who are only in their second year of the sport

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e recently had an exciting wave of new (fresh meat) skaters, about seven ladies, who are brand new to the sport and learning their skills with huge promise, very exciting for us.害羞草研究所�

For more information email osrda.derby@gmail.com or search Facebook for Okanagan Shuswap Roller Derby Association or Farmers害羞草研究所� Slaughters to send a message.