ROLLER: It's hot local news, too

I am writing in response to the AP story on Roller Derby published on the front of FIT for Life on Nov. 9. As a current member of Coeur d’Alene’s local derby team, Snake Pit Derby Dames (SPDD), I love seeing the sport of derby receiving national attention. However, I am very disappointed our local paper chose to run an AP story rather than scooping on the sport in our area.

Roller Derby is one of the fastest growing sports with 1,500 leagues worldwide with roughly 750 in the U.S. There are two leagues right here in North Idaho and three women’s leagues in Spokane. Most derby leagues, including SPDD, operate as nonprofit organizations and give back in many charitable ways to the community. We work very hard to get local coverage on our sport with very little funding. Our women are very dedicated to the sport and our league. It is frustrating to read an article about two great teams in Mississippi and Alabama when that article could have just as easily been written about teams here.

Our 2013 season comes to end this Saturday in Kalispell, Mont. Our 2014 season begins in February. We look forward to inviting The Press and the community to root for your local women’s roller derby team.

CAREY KAPLAN

aka DIXIE DEW DAMAGE

Rathdrum