About the IC Bruisers
The IC Bruisers are the nation’s first and only free junior roller derby team. We are a nonprofit sports league in Eastern Iowa dedicated to empowering youth through the international sport of roller derby. All youth ages 6–17 are welcome, regardless of skating ability or prior experience.
Formed in June 2014, we now include 70+ skaters learning, growing, and competing in the sport of roller derby. We are a member of the Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA).
Our mission is to provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment where young athletes can come together to play this exciting sport of speed, strategy, and teamwork. We aim to help skaters build confidence, character, social skills, leadership abilities, and overall fitness.
What We Do
We strive to create an inclusive environment for all skaters of any age, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or economic background. We also welcome individuals with a range of learning and neurological differences and work to accommodate unique needs whenever possible.
Roller derby is more than a sport—it’s a space where we teach healthy body image, encourage community engagement, and build lifelong teamwork and leadership skills.
A core part of our program is that it is completely free to participate. We never want financial barriers to prevent a child from joining. All safety gear, skates, and uniforms are provided at no cost. Families are simply asked to donate equipment back as skaters outgrow it, so it can be passed along to the next participant.
Skill Levels & Practices
We structure training in progressive levels to ensure safety and development:
Beginner & Level 1: Focus on foundational skating skills including form, stops, and safe falling techniques. These practices involve minimal to no contact.
Levels 2 & 3: Introduce blocking, jamming, and contact-based drills, along with deeper game strategy. Advancement requires passing both a skills and written test to ensure readiness and safety.
We practice once per week, focusing on endurance, skating technique, and strategy.
Teams & Competition
Our Charter (travel) team competes in sanctioned bouts throughout the Midwest in the Open Division. Other IC Bruisers teams compete in unsanctioned games with regional teams, providing fun competition and development opportunities for newer skaters.
Our Organization
The IC Bruisers operate under the nonprofit umbrella of Iowa R.E.A.C.H. (Respect. Empowerment. Athleticism. Community. Health.)
We were founded in June 2014 by Brian and Veronica Ferreira, who wanted to create a safe, inclusive, and healthy activity for their children. They quickly discovered many families in the Iowa City/Coralville area were seeking the same thing—a place where kids could grow, learn, and truly belong.
