Minnesota Frostbite Winter 2026 Session, Ages 10-17*
*age as of 9/1/25
~~~ READ ME ~~~
First, please review on our Skater Handbook! We'd love your input to provide information up front that is most helpful!
Required Equipment
Participants must obtain all required gear to wear while rollerskating in our venue, no exceptions:
- Roller skates (no blades / in-lines)
- Dual-certified helmet (see our helmet guidelines)
- Thick, foam-cushioned knee pads with hard shells (skaters will fall on these a lot regardless of skill level)
- Elbow pads with hard shell
- Wrist guards with hard plastic protection
- Fitted & molded mouthguard
If a skater forgets their gear at home for a practice or game, there may NOT be a backup option available. Skaters/accompanying adults should check that they have ALL gear before leaving home.
If equipment cost is a burden, our booster club, Minnesota Frostboosters, maintains an equipment library for active participants to borrow gear with a partially-refundable deposit.
- To confirm availability in the sizes you need, be sure to ask in advance.
You can email Frostboosters president Jess Roddy at jessicar@frostboosters.org.
Additionally, for practices or games, athletes will need:
- Non-glass, sealable water bottle - please label with skater's name!
- Clothing that allows full range of athletic movement
- No dangly/hoop jewelry or other potential safety hazards
- Athletic shoes (occasional for practices, and always for games)
Practice Details
Practices for ages 10-17* are scheduled Sunday 2:00-4:00pm and Thursday 6:00-7:30pm.
Thursday practice end time MIGHT be extended to 7:45pm as springtime approaches - this will be announced if/when updated.
The first practice of Winter Session is Thursday, January 8th, 6:00-7:30pm, in RiverCentre Exhibit Hall B.
What to expect at that first practice:
- Review practice expectations & code of conduct
- Verify Winter Session registration completed
Then:
- Participants: Getting back into the swing of things on skates!
- Parents/Guardians: Opportunity to support an informational meeting for interested new joiners!
Practices are typically held in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, RiverCentre Exhibit Halls, or RiverCentre Meeting Rooms located in downtown St Paul (175 Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102). If we don't have space on a regular practice day, we may make alternate plans, though not guaranteed.
Announcements with upcoming practices/events will be emailed weekly, and we have a Google Calendar for Frostbite practices/events. Last-minute reminders and updates may be sent via Slack. Practice dates may be further subject to change due to weather, space availability, etc.
SAVE THE DATES:
Saturday, January 17th: MNRD Home Bout. Level 3 Frostbites skating in the pre-show!
Sunday, January 18th: Level 3 Frostbites skating in a closed mixer bout in the Roy Wilkins!
Saturday, February 14th: Level 3 Frostbites skating in an away game / round-robin!
Saturday, February 14th: MNRD Home Bout
Saturday, March 14th: Level 2 & 3 Frostbites skating in an away game!
Saturday, March 28th: MNRD Home Bout
Saturday, April 11th: Level 2 & 3 Frostbites skating in an away game!
Saturday/Sunday, April 25/26: Level 3 Frostbites skating in an away tournament!
Saturday, April 25th: MNRD Home Bout
Generally, either a social event or skating mixer/competitive game -- in lieu of a Frostbite practice -- is planned for the Sundays after MNRD adult bouts, during a session in progress.
Skill Levels and Placement for Ages 10-17*
IMPORTANT NOTE: Skaters do not self-select their skill level, nor do they automatically progress upon completion of a session or even full season. There will be periodic assessments for skill level placement / progression, or at coaches' discretion aligned with JRDA Skill Level Assessments. Everyone starts their roller derby journey at a different place, and learns at a different pace! Coaches support the skaters, provide feedback, and help celebrate successes along the way!
- Level 0: Learn basic skills and how derby works, before being able to play non-contact derby.
- Level 1: Basic skills for non-contact derby
- Level 2: Intermediate skills for light contact derby
- Level 3: Advanced skills for full contact derby
Attendance Expectations
It is not required to attend all days to participate; however, we ask that you notify us if a registered skater will miss more than 2 or 3 consecutive practices.
For Frostbites who intend to play in competitive games, we expect at least 50% practice attendance. This is important for building team cohesion, skills proficiency, and safety to create the most fun, rewarding team sport experience for everyone!
Cost
If participation costs present a barrier/hardship, MNRD will work with families to help make these great experiences accessible to everyone. You may request a fees accommodation request by choosing the corresponding "ticket type."
Additional costs for uniforms, travel, etc. may apply. MNRD is volunteer-run and skater owned and operated. We all contribute resources and energy to make this awesome sport happen!
Minnesota Frostboosters, the newly formed 501(c)3 booster club helps defray costs of gear, uniforms, travel, etc., and contributes to strengthening Minnesota Frostbite. And they need family members' involvement to make cool stuff happen!
We are SO VERY excited to have you skate with us! Please direct any questions to frostbite@mnrollerderby.com. Thank you!
***FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION ***
STEP 1: Be in the loop
A parent/guardian **MUST** reliably receive information via email (long-form announcements) **AND** Frostbite Slack workspace (shorter-form quick updates, and more).
STEP 2: Review policies. By completing registration, participants & family members acknowledge and agree to all program policies linked in the "MN Frostbite Policies" subfolder of MN Frostbite Program Information.
STEP 3: Skater Information Form & e-sign documents
Already completed for skaters returning from 2025 Fall Session!
STEP 4: Pay registration fees
Proceed through this Eventzilla site to finalize payment. if you're having problems connected with PayPal, login to PayPal first, then once again open the Eventzilla link.
*** ANY PARTICIPANT'S REGISTRATION IS NOT BE CONSIDERED FINALIZED UNTIL STEPS 3 AND 4 HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ***
