Wheat City Derby Dolls on track

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This article was published 07/06/2010 (5832 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s an all-girl revival of the greatest sport on wheels.

Roller derby, that pop culture fad, is back and better than ever — complete with the feisty, fishnet-clad, Jane Fonda-esque skaters. And Brandon’s own Wheat City Derby Dolls are now recruiting members.

For your everyday florists, bank tellers and moms, this is a chance to cut loose. Enter Anna Mosity, Skid n’ Nancy, Drill-her Daisy, Boni Jovi and Hell Squared — just a few of the roller-babe aliases on the track.

Breck Harris, also known as "Billy Rock," is a florist by day and a roller diva by night. The president of the Southeast Saskatchewan Roller Derby Association is also one of the founding members of the Brandon team.

This is not the skater’s first time overseeing a team’s startup. Harris initiated the Red Deer, Alta., squad The Belladonnas roughly a year and a half ago and founded the Carnduff, Sask. team, the Hillbilly Hurt, last summer.

"I think it’s a great sport for women," said Harris, "something different from hockey or ringette, and you can still get your aggressions out."

Women of any age and skill-set level are welcome to play — that’s the derby motto. Training begins the moment the skates are laced.

"We have all sorts of girls playing from age 19 to 40," Harris said. "Everyone has a place on the team, and no position is defined by your size. Anyone can play because we are all basically starting from scratch."

Each member has specific and personal reasons for joining a roller team. Some are encouraged by the competitive aspect, some do it as a form of exercise, some to simply get out of the house and make new friends.

"I haven’t seen anyone that can’t do it," said Harris. "It’s not that difficult. Balance and co-ordination might take a few practices to get, but once you’ve got it, it’s easy and so fun!"

Roller derby is a sport consisting of both athleticism and, what some consider, a punk, third-wave feminism esthetic.

The full-contact sport has many of the same rules as hockey, says Harris. Physical contact is to be above the knee and below the shoulder.

A derby game or "bout" is played in a gymnasium-sized venue with a cement or hardwood floor and features five skaters from each team–a jammer (the one who scores), a pivot (a blocker who may later become the jammer) and three blockers (defensive line).

Uniforms are typically of rockabilly or burlesque fashion and highlight chosen aliases.

Equipment includes traditional roller skates (as opposed to inline skates), a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and a mouth guard. "Fresh meat" equipment packages — for newbies — are also available and range from $250 to $500.

The sport is a great cardio workout, says Harris, as it works the majority of muscle groups. Practices also include an off-skate workout which focuses on polymetrics — jumping and leg work — as well as core and upper body.

Thanks in part to the Hollywood release of "Whip it" the DIY spirit of derby has been reignited in roller enthusiasts, new and old alike. And teams are popping up nationwide.

There are chapters of roller derby in Regina, Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, Alta., Lethbridge, Alta., Red Deer, Alta., Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton to name a few.

Roller derby, one of the fastest growing sports in the world, has been an official sport since 1885. Harris suggests checking out the documentary "Hell on Wheels" for a more accurate portrayal.

Though Brandon’s chapter is in the beginning stages, the Wheat City has been eagerly supportive to get it off the ground, Harris said. Currently, the Wheat City Derby Dolls have 170 members on their Facebook page.

"I’ve heard from the girls they already have sponsors lined up and tons of girls interested in the sport, whether to play or just help out," Harris said. "It will take about a year or so before they will actually play a real game, but until then will be practising regularly and probably scrimmaging and rookie games as well."

The Wheat City Derby Dolls will continue with regular practices once or twice a week.

A permanent practice space is currently being sought out, from warehouse space to school gymnasiums to skating rinks, and the team is also recruiting officials, volunteers and announcers (both male and female), as well as sponsors.

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