A bit of biffo - Roller Derby

.......it has been the arts for me. Until that is, I saw Roller Derby.

Everyone is a arm chair sports supporter. Whether it be league, AFL or football, most people have their favourite team who for a significant part of the year, occupy every weekend. Not so for me I'm afraid. I will once a winter brave the cold to watch the Swannies with my Mum, but league has long lost me and football (soccer), skilful but not quite enough grunt. So alas it has been the arts for me. Until that is, I saw Roller Derby.

... most may know the sport from when it was centre rink in Drew Barrymore film Whip It...

First conceived in the 1930's but most notably having its hey day in the 60's and 70's. Roller Derby has had a resurgence in the last five years or more with comps rising up world wide. Most may know the sport from when it was centre rink in Drew Barrymore film Whip It.
The rules are pretty simple two teams compete on a oval track. Each team has a Jammer (the one with a star on helmet). The Jammers goal is to pass the other team. Once they have done a full lap, each opposing player passed  equals a point. Thus the role of the rest of each team (the blockers) is to stop the competing Jammer...with brute force...on roller skates.

it's not just the action on the track that's cool. Ring side is a creative, punk rock sub-culture made up of teens, Mums, young and old - all a bit rock n roll really

 Only women compete in Roller Derby today and it is a full contact sport. The pace is fast, the action hard, yet there is no anger or malice, some how these women manage to bump each other across the track at full speed and yet still jump straight back up, join the pack, all with a smile on the face. Finally a sport for women that has all the agression of netball but the difference here is the players don't have to hide the hits. 
Oh and the other cool thing,  player names. Kiki Chaos, Skate Bush and Psyclone Tracey to name a few.

My recommendation is Google for your local League and get yourself to a game. Its a great nights entertainment and if you really want the thrill, try out for a team. Teams hold regular try outs for 'fresh meat' (I know - event even the name for try outs is awesome)

Greater Sydney season has kicked off with teams from from Inner West, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, South Side and the Hawkesbury battling it out in 2013. Go to http://5x5derby.com and catch a bout when it's near you

So who here remembers the roller disco's back in the day?