FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2013

USA Roller Sports is pleased to announce the expansion of the current age requirements for adult competition. USARS now recognizes the official age groups as defined by the Federation of International Roller Sports (FIRS) for International competition, which allow players between 14 and 17 years old to compete in both the Junior and Adult divisions, similar to other Roller Sport disciplines.

“We feel that aligning with the FIRS requirements will allow talented athletes, who have excelled in the Junior division, to have the option of playing Roller Derby at the highest possible levels and without restricting their development as players,” said Danielle Fairbanks, USARS Roller Derby Director. “Participation in the adult division for players between 14 and 17 years of age will be completely elective and we are imposing a number of requirements, such as parental permission and verification of skating proficiency by a club officer, before allowing any player to compete in a sanctioned game.”

Several teams that would traditionally be considered part of the Junior division already play against adult teams on a regular basis. The modifications will simply allow those teams to officially compete in a division that may be more congruent with their level of play.

USARS also introduced an extended timeline for teams to submit the required documentation to participate in the 2013 Regional Qualifiers, consolidating separate deadlines into a single date. Clubs must submit their team application, membership applications and valid sanctioning forms for at least two games played under the USARS rules no later than June 28th, 2013.

For more information, please contact the USARS National Office at 402-483-7551.

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USA Roller Sports (USARS) is recognized by the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as the national governing body for competitive roller sports in the United States. USARS is dedicated to creating, enhancing and conducting the best competitions and programs for roller sports. We instill the drive to win and be the absolute best in sports and in life.