Roll on 2012: Derby is coming

With nicknames like Ophelia Terror, Amy Roundhouse and Pushy Galore it doesn’t take a genius to work out the emphasis placed on physical intimidation when it comes to roller derby.

Considered the fastest growing women’s sport on the planet, roller derby has exploded to boast four local leagues in WA alone, hundreds of competitors and sell-out crowds.

And now it’s coming to Port Hedland.

North West Roller Derby Association founding member Suzan ‘Suzie Bone Breaker’ Chesson said she hoped to have a five-team local competition up and running by next July with an eye on expansion to Karratha and Newman in future years.

She said a lot of work needed to be done between now and the start of the inaugural NWDRA season, including getting all interested players trained up.

“The regulations are quite stringent,” Ms Chesson said.

“Players have to go through two levels of training and a written assessment before they’re actually allowed to play.”

For those who don’t know, roller derby is a high-paced, body contact sport played on roller skates around a flat track. It involves a pack of “blockers” who do their best to stop the opposition’s “jammers” from passing them for points.

Ms Chesson said the NWDRA had already received 20 written expression of interest from local women keen to play while the Association’s Facebook page was honing in on 100 fans.

“We only need nine (players) per team, and that includes subs,” she said.

“Ideally, if we could get four or five teams by July it would be great. I think that’s quite achievable.”

Although the sport is played by women only, Ms Chesson said the Association was looking for coaches, commentators and local music acts to perform during games, which will be held at the revamped JD Hardie Centre.

“Basically its just one big show,” she said.

“We want to encourage any local bands or DJs that want publicity to put their hand up and be part of it.”