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172 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T Studies have shown that young girls drop out of organized sports at a much higher rate than their male counterparts due to lowered self-esteem. As a member of the Yukon Roller Girls, #RisingYouth grantee Shelby Maunder wanted to change this trend by encouraging young girls in her community to get active and play sports. She started a Junior Roller Derby League for young girls between the ages of 14 to 18. Shelby used her $750 grant to cover the costs of insurance for all participating skaters, as well as skates and safety gear to reduce financial barriers. Since starting this project, the team has grown steadily with thirteen young skaters attending regular practices every Monday! Every week, coaches teach the girls basic skating skills including falling safely, strides, plow stops, derby stance, jumping, weaving, transitions, sprinting, and positional blocking. In addition to derby skills, skaters are also learning about teamwork, self-esteem, and resilience. " Many of the skaters have become friends and built community outside of practice! The whole team recently received invitations to one of the skaters' birthday party. This is so important for many of the girls who face social isolation for a variety of reasons - I'm so humbled by how they have opened up to each other and made our team a community!" SHELBY MAUNDER Junior Roller Derby Shelby Maunder | $750 Whitehorse, Yukon YUKON Whitehorse is located on Kwanlin Dun and Ta'an Kwäch'än Territory. LEARN MORE AT WWW.WHOSE.LAND

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