Fundraiser to support local athletes competing at 2019 World Roller Games
Northern Illinois Junior Roller Derby is hosting a Doubleheader Bout on Saturday, March 23.
This fundraiser supports two of its founding members who have rostered for Team USA and will be playing roller derby at the 2019 World Roller Games in Spain this summer.
Sisters Mackenzie and Lily Chesko, along with another former Radioactive Rollers teammate Sofia Hernandez of Chicago, have reaches the highest level of competition in the sport of roller derby.
As part of Team USA, they will compete in the World Roller Games being held in Barcelona, Spain July 8-14.
The Minooka High School graduates grew up skating at Channahon's Skateland Recreation Centre and started playing roller derby in 2011.
Along with playing at the junior level, including the 1st Junior World Cup and Junior Olympic roller derby events, the sisters enjoyed playing for the Chicago Red Hots (a USA Roller Sports adult level team whose ruleset allows for elite level skaters ages 14 and up to participate).
Mackenzie's current home team is the Bellingham Roller Betties in Bellingham, Washington. Lily currently plays for the Illiana Derby Dames in Lynnwood, Illinois.
Joining the girls as a referee in Spain will be their father, Ron Chesko, founding president of NIJRD.
The Radioactive Rollers team (part of the Northern Illinois Junior Roller Derby league) are proud to support the Cheskors as they travel to Barcelona, Spain to compete at the 2019 World Roller Games.
The fundraising event on March 23 will include a junior bout and an adult bout. The four teams will be comprised of skaters from all over the Midwest.
The junior bout will begin at 6 p.m. and the adults will play at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the general public.
Donations will be accepted at the door. There will also be a bake sale, basket raffle and vendor tables at the event.
All proceeds will be split between Northern Illinois Junior Roller Derby and the girls.
The Northern Illinois Junior Roller Derby continues to practice at Skateland Recreation Center in Channahon on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Skaters range in age from 6 to 17.
All skating abilities are welcome and encouraged to join. They are always accepting new skaters.
Skates are available to rent and protective gear is available to borrow for anyone to try the sport without commitment.
If you're interested in joining or have any questions, email NIJRD at nijrdleague@gmail.com or on Facebook @NIJRDLeague.