River City send out their rookies

The River City Rollers are going to throw their new team members into the proverbial deep end to see if they can swim at Jubilee Stadium.

The Whanganui roller derby club is hosting a jam on Saturday against the Bay City Rollers from Hawke's Bay.

But instead of relying on their veterans, both clubs are using their recent graduates to fly the banner in the matchup.

Coach and former New Zealand player Mel McGhie, one of six senior squad members, said they used a criteria of the team lineup not having more than three caps to their name.

Bay City are doing predominantly the same by not putting out their current stars.

"Some of them are new, some have been playing for many years but have not been playing much for some time," said McGhie.

Like many team sports, it is the habit of newer players to look to their veterans to set the tone during the contest, but McGhie said this time they will all be watching from the sideline.

"So this is about finding their own feet, or wheels.

"The sooner they learn to swim, the easier it is. It will be a fun game."

A squad of about 22 will take on Bay City.

The curtainraiser jam will be the River City Rookies, the club's juniors, taking on their Bay City Rollers counterparts.

Doors open at 5pm, with a skating display at 5.30pm.

The juniors matchup is at 6pm and the graduates start at 7.30pm.

Entry is $5 for adults, $2 for 14 years and under, while under 5s are free.