It was love at first skate.

The thrill of the game, the instant bond to teammates, even the injuries couldn鈥檛 keep Amanda Nitchie away. Since stepping onto the track eight years ago she鈥檚 been hooked.

鈥淚 showed up to a practice and it was instant love鈥�,鈥� said Nitchie, #111 who goes by the derby name 鈥楳anda Moon.鈥�

鈥淚 bought skates and gear that week and I never looked back. I鈥檝e even sat out from games for a year and a half due to a knee injury but couldn鈥檛 leave my derby family and in that time I learned to be a referee and trainer for my league.鈥�

A house-cleaner by day, Nitchie couldn鈥檛 imagine her life without derby.

鈥淭o belong to a group of women who build and lift you up no matter your shape or walk of life was life changing,鈥� said Nitchie, who started in 2009 after reading an article in The Morning Star.

As a member of the newly minted team Farmers鈥� Slaughters, Nitchie will be hitting the track April 29 at Kal Tire Place for the Okanagan Shuswap Roller Derby Association鈥檚 April Pain event.

Taking home-track advantage, the Farmers鈥� Slaughters are up against the rival Cherry Bombs (of the Okanagan Roller Derby of 琉璃神社).

鈥淎pril Pain OSRDA vs OKRD will be a fast paced hard hitting game,鈥� said Nitchie, who plays PBJ (pivot, blocker, jammer). 鈥淲e just recently lost to them March 18 in 琉璃神社 so we鈥檙e training hard to prepare for our rivals.鈥�

While these local ladies are sure to put on a riveting game, the event is also bringing some high level roller derby to town - the Women鈥檚 Flat Track Derby Association. The Rated PG Rollergirls are sending their WFTDA apprentice team the Rated PG Northstars to take on the Mainland Misfits鈥� team the Anarchy Angels.

Doors open to the derby at 5 p.m. with the first whistle being blown at 5:30, with a beverage garden and concession by Kal Tire Place. Tickets to the action-packed evening are $10 and available from local derby athletes or in Vernon at Extreme Pita, in Enderby at Hungry Jacks and in Salmon Arm at Connects Wireless.

Those who are further interested in the sport are also invited to get in touch to try it out.

鈥淲e鈥檙e always accepting and willing to train new skaters even if you鈥檝e never worn eight wheels before,鈥� said Nitchie. 鈥淲e supply gear and a two-week free trail.鈥�

While Nitchie is a veteran on the team, the Farmers鈥� Slaughters is comprised of a number of new players who are only in their second year of the sport

鈥淲e鈥檝e recently had an exciting wave of new (fresh meat) skaters, about seven ladies, who are brand new to the sport and learning their skills with huge promise, very exciting for us.鈥�

For more information email osrda.derby@gmail.com or search Facebook for Okanagan Shuswap Roller Derby Association or Farmers鈥� Slaughters to send a message.