Why are we hosting a SKATE-A-THON? Youth sports are expensive. To cover leagues expenses while keeping expected family contributions reasonable, our league must find other ways to raise the necessary funds to rent our practice space, host events at larger venues, maintain the loaner closet and ensure the league has all it needs to operate smoothly.
RAJRD strives to remove the financial barriers that might otherwise prevent athletes from playing derby. While only a handful of families request financial assistance for dues, many families have needed extensions to save up enough to pay dues, have relied on the generosity of other families to help with travel expenses, and have had uniforms, gear, and equipment repaired or replaced at the league’s expense.
We know that many parents are already stretched thin. Committing time and energy to hosting bake sales or selling overpriced merchandise for a small percentage of the proceeds is not appealing. Many popular fundraisers exclude the participation of the kids (such as raffling lotto boards or liquor baskets). The March RADness Skate A Thon is a solution where the skaters can do the hard work to raise the funds that keeps their league healthy. While this event does still require volunteers in order to happen, it is a short timeline for a potentially substantial payout.
A few acknowledgments: Photographer credit Rosie the Pivoter (Sulyn Bennett-Hennessey (with some help from Tech Sass, Morti, and pirated from social media accounts)
Thank you Bomb Voyage for the March RADness graphics again this year!
A HUGE Thank You to Tech Sass for building the /Website
Thank you to all of the families for supporting your children's participation in derby, and volunteering and helping the league out however you can! Thank you Roll Models who are patient, understanding and caring, giving your time so that the kids can play!
How the March RADness SKATE-A-THON works: Skaters find supporters/sponsors willing to pledge either a flat amount or a per-lap donation on the website.
On the evening of the Skate-A-Thon the skaters are divided into two groups (red or blue) which alternate every 5 minutes. They have an extra 30 seconds to help the previous group clear the track and to help the "on deck" group take their positions.
Each group will end up taking 6 five minute long turns, 3 in derby direction and 3 clockwise.
if possible, the event will be live streamed on the league's YouTube channel and recorded.
https://youtube.com/@rocjrderby59?si=F3umgsMz7GCEzpy6
We have volunteers count skaters laps during their time on the track. Skaters wear helmet covers and jerseys to help lap counters recognize who to track.
This year the counting system is expected to be online (using phones/tablets and Wi-Fi the results are submitted digitally, making a real time leaderboard a possible option!
After the both the Red group and Blue group have finished their 4th turn, the "Roll Models" (coaches, officials, volunteers) take ONE five minute turn. This gives the skaters a few extra minutes for rest, to get drinks snacks or pizza and bathroom breaks.
The whole Skate-A-Thon takes almost an hour and a half (65 minutes of skating plus we have to allow time to transition between Red, Blue, and Roll Model groups).
We want to celebrate the skaters skills, efforts, and their creativity. Skaters can earn awards for the Most Laps at their level, the Most Money Raised, the Most Separate Sponsors/pledges, Best Boutfit, etc.
RAJRD strives to remove the financial barriers that might otherwise prevent athletes from playing derby. While only a handful of families request financial assistance for dues, many families have needed extensions to save up enough to pay dues, have relied on the generosity of other families to help with travel expenses, and have had uniforms, gear, and equipment repaired or replaced at the league’s expense.
We know that many parents are already stretched thin. Committing time and energy to hosting bake sales or selling overpriced merchandise for a small percentage of the proceeds is not appealing. Many popular fundraisers exclude the participation of the kids (such as raffling lotto boards or liquor baskets). The March RADness Skate A Thon is a solution where the skaters can do the hard work to raise the funds that keeps their league healthy. While this event does still require volunteers in order to happen, it is a short timeline for a potentially substantial payout.
A few acknowledgments: Photographer credit Rosie the Pivoter (Sulyn Bennett-Hennessey (with some help from Tech Sass, Morti, and pirated from social media accounts)
Thank you Bomb Voyage for the March RADness graphics again this year!
A HUGE Thank You to Tech Sass for building the /Website
Thank you to all of the families for supporting your children's participation in derby, and volunteering and helping the league out however you can! Thank you Roll Models who are patient, understanding and caring, giving your time so that the kids can play!
How the March RADness SKATE-A-THON works: Skaters find supporters/sponsors willing to pledge either a flat amount or a per-lap donation on the website.
On the evening of the Skate-A-Thon the skaters are divided into two groups (red or blue) which alternate every 5 minutes. They have an extra 30 seconds to help the previous group clear the track and to help the "on deck" group take their positions.
Each group will end up taking 6 five minute long turns, 3 in derby direction and 3 clockwise.
if possible, the event will be live streamed on the league's YouTube channel and recorded.
https://youtube.com/@rocjrderby59?si=F3umgsMz7GCEzpy6
We have volunteers count skaters laps during their time on the track. Skaters wear helmet covers and jerseys to help lap counters recognize who to track.
This year the counting system is expected to be online (using phones/tablets and Wi-Fi the results are submitted digitally, making a real time leaderboard a possible option!
After the both the Red group and Blue group have finished their 4th turn, the "Roll Models" (coaches, officials, volunteers) take ONE five minute turn. This gives the skaters a few extra minutes for rest, to get drinks snacks or pizza and bathroom breaks.
The whole Skate-A-Thon takes almost an hour and a half (65 minutes of skating plus we have to allow time to transition between Red, Blue, and Roll Model groups).
We want to celebrate the skaters skills, efforts, and their creativity. Skaters can earn awards for the Most Laps at their level, the Most Money Raised, the Most Separate Sponsors/pledges, Best Boutfit, etc.