Saturday night I headed into Reservoir to check out a Roller Derby night, The 'Toxic Avengers' vs 'The Dead Ringer Rosies' and I had such a good night and enjoyed it so much I decided it was worth writing about. I first heard about Roller Derby a few years back at the pub. Flea (AKA Felicity Scragwell) had just taken it up and had been travelling down to Dandenong for training. I remember sitting at the bar talking to Em who thought it sounded interesting, but decided Dandenong was too far from the pub, so we just got another round and never really thought about it again. Since then I have heard the odd mention of Roller Derby here and there, but never really been hugely interested in it, I saw it as just some gay fad of girls on rollerskates. A few weeks ago I watched the ABC doco which focussed on the Brisbane Derby girls and decided that it didn't really seem like such a gay fad after all, and decided to check it out for myself.

The Roller Derby Revival began in Texas in 2001 and quickly spread across the States and arrive in Australia early in 2007. Leagues quickly started popping across the country and now there are over 10 Leagues in most states. In a nutshell, Roller Derby is an all female, full contact, fierce and adreneline pumping game which is played on quad skates.

A Roller Derby bout consists of two teams, each having 5 players out on the track. The team consists of a pivot (pace setter) 3 blockers and a jammer. The pivot sets the pace of her team while working with the blockers to guard and tactically maneuver their 'pack' to allow their own jammer through - while aiming to block the opposing jammer.

The jammer is the scoring skater so it is her job to fight her way through the pack aiming to be the first or 'lead' jammer. When the first jammer makes it through the pack legally, she is crowned the "lead jammer." The jammer starts scoring points the second lap through the ‘pack’ by passing members of the apposing team. A jam lasts a maximum of two minutes, but the lead jammer has the right to call off the jam by repeatedly putting her hands on her hips. The rest of the team tries to stop the opposing jammer from passing them and scoring.

Roller Derby 'bouts' have seen injuries like 'fishnet burn', bruises, severed fingers and even broken bones. It is definitely NOT for the faint hearted or girls who don't like to chip their nail polish.

As Saturday night was the first Derby Night I had ever been to, I was utterly confused and couldn't really follow what was going on in terms of who was winning or what was happening, so I have no real commentary on the ins and outs of the bout, or how well either team did or any other observations one might make if they knew what was going on. Although I did had a great time, enoyed watching it, and have decided that Roller Derby is awesome.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into Puckhandlers was the amount of people there. I was not expecting there to be that many, or a broad range of people either. I'm not good on numbers, but there would have been a few hundred there. Everyone there seemed to be really getting into it and unlike a gig on a Saturday night, they were there to support the Derby girls, not to fight with each other or carry on like wankers. Although there was grog available, and probably a few people who were giving it a nudge, no one was aggro or really pissed and annoying, so in other words it was a good atmosphere and a good crowd. I did hear a few people make comments that it was 'tame' in comparison to what they have seen of girls in the states and what not. I have since had it pointed out to me that there are actually a few different codes of Derby and 'Flat Track Roller Derby' is the one played in Australia. There are others which tend to be more aggro and violent with a lot of blocks and moves which aren't allowed in Flat Track. So perhaps those people were getting their codes mixed up. Sheez, get with the program people!

On a whole there are a lot of things I really like about Roller Derby. Probably the first thing which comes to mind is that it is an awesome alternative to spending 6 hours sitting in a pub getting really pissed or seeing a band. Not that I dislike those things, but sometimes something different is in order. I like the fact that there were all kinds of tattooed, punk, skinhead, rockabilly, hardcore, skater, and for want of a better word 'alternative looking folk'  there but then also your 'normal' looking average people. All of whom seemed to be getting along, and leaving whatever personal differences they might have at the door.

Aside from the crowds and atmosphere in the place, the actual Rollder Derbying bit is pretty good too. I mean, looking at it from a responsible 'mother' point of view, it not only looks like hell fun, but is also really fucking good for fitenss levels! These girls put in a lot more work than a bout on a Saturday night, they do some serious training. And for those who are really passionate about it, which seems to be most of them, it would take a lot of discipline and self control. I reckon it is a bit like the old idea of boxing clubs. Something that young and or older girls can get into and not only get fit, but have fun doing it and meet some good people. It's like a sport for those who don't really fit the cricket or tennis club scene.

All Leagues are all self governing, and  anyone can start a team up or a league and get involved. To find out how to go about doing that then get in contact with your local Derby league, you'll find them listed below.

I was talking to a couple of girls from the Geelong League, who were trying to talk me in joining up, and I was surprised that there wasn't a lot more teams already. I guess it's not something that you would just take up unless you were really committed. I did originally have the view that it was just a bunch of girls having fun skating around every now and then, but since finding out more I have realised how wrong I was!  This is a serious sport, and one which I really hope keeps growing here in Australia. I think a lot of people could get a lot out of it. So if you are a female, are into skating and don't mind breaking a nail or getting a few bruisers here and there, then maybe take a look at Roller Derby. It seems to have spread pretty quickly across the country, so I'm sure you could find a League near you. And if there isn't one, then start one up yourself.

I have become a Derby convert, and am looking forward to going to the next bout and hopefully be able to follow it a bit better! I also want to thank 'Felicity Scragwell' of the Toxic Avengers, 'May Hemridge' of the Geelong League for their help and info on getting my facts straight about the sport. Oh yeah, that was something I didn't mention, all the Roller Derby girls give themselves a Derby name, like a seperate Derby persona.

Here are some links for Australian Leagues:
Victorian Roller Derby League - http://www.myspace.com/melbournegrindgirls
Geelong Roller Derby League - http://www.myspace.com/geelongrollerderby
Adelaide Rollder Derby League - http://www.myspace.com/adelaiderollerderby
Sydney Roller Derby League - http://www.myspace.com/sydneyrollerderbyleague
Northern Brisbane Roller Derby - http://www.myspace.com/northern_brisbane_rollers
Perth Roller Derby - http://www.myspace.com/perthrollerderby
Canberra - http://crdl.wikispaces.com
Sun State Roller Girls (the other Brissie league): http://www. sunstaterollergirls. com
C-Town Souljas (Castlemaine): myspace. com/castlemainerollerderby

And some General Derby links:
Womens Flat Track Derby Association - http://www.wftda.com/
All about Roller Derby - http://www.quadskating.com/roller-derby/
Roller Derby outside of the USA - http://interderby.wordpress.com/
Skates and gear - http://www.sincityskates.com/