It’s rough, its wild, it has an aesthetic somewhere between burlesque and punk and it’s fast becoming the ultimate in women’s sport entertainment.

Roller derby as a sport has its origins in the 1920’s and 30’s and was hugely popular in the United States for many years. Originally started as an endurance sport for both men and women, the game was modified in the 30’s to allow for more physical contact and became a predominantly, but not exclusively, women’s sport.

World War II put an end to the glory days of derby, when bouts in over 50 major US cities drew collective audiences of over five million and fans kept up-to-date with their favourite skaters through magazines such as RolleRage and Roller Derby News.

The sport’s following continued to wane during the 60’s and 70’s despite several attempts to revive it and while it never completely disappeared, only a handful of fringe groups in Canada and America continued hosting one-off matches and the occasional TV special into the 1990’s.

Roller derby’s latest reincarnation has been largely orchestrated by grassroots organisations of women with a strong DIY approach and is spreading globally at breakneck speed. Organised leagues now exist in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

Here in Australia roller derby leagues have been springing up in almost every city imaginable.

‘There’s at least one league in each major city and some cities have more than one, but there are also quite a lot of leagues popping up in regional places as well now,’ explains Maggie Snatcher, president of the Perth Roller Derby league.

Perth Roller Derby (PRD) was formed in 2008 when a group of women met each other at a screening of the documentary Hell On Wheels, which chronicles the creation of the first new-wave, 21st century women’s roller derby league in Austin, Texas.

Maggie Snatcher was one of the founding members of PRD and says the league strives to stay true to that original idea of modern roller derby… all-girl and all-inclusive.

‘Roller derby is a grassroots movement- it’s for the skaters by skaters and a lot of the leagues are really passionate about maintaining that ethos,’ she said.

‘I actually think one of the great things about Roller Derby is that it is for women. There are so many sports out there that are available to men, especially contact sports.’

And there certainly is a lot of contact in roller derby.

Most roller derby leagues around the world, including PRD adhere to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) rules- over 30 pages of jam formations, blocking zones and passing the star.

While it may seem complicated (and the finer details inevitably are) the basic idea of a roller derby bout is described on the PRD website as the following:

‘Each team consists of three Blockers (forming the ‘pack’,) one Pivot (starts at the front of the pack) and one Jammer (starts behind the pack). The Jammers from each team try to weave through the pack while the pack tries to stop their opposition’s Jammer from passing. The Jammer scores points for her team by passing opposing players, the pivot leads her team’s pack and the blockers use their “booty” to stop opposing players – especially the Jammer – from getting past.’

While there are a handful of renegade derby leagues who play on graded tracks as opposed to a flat tracks and include mixed or men’s teams, playing by WFTDA rules brings the opportunity of interstate (or even international) competition. PRD is getting ready to take on the rest of Australia in June.

‘There’s a national derby tournament in Adelaide in June and so far there are 16 different leagues across the country that have been confirmed for that,’ says Maggie Snatcher.

‘Perth Roller Derby is going to send over a team, so we’re very excited.’

Currently PRD has two playing teams- the Bloody Sundaes and the Mistresses of Mayhem, and a team of refs affectionately called Team Zebra. While the bouts are serious affairs and apparent animosity is rife on the track, in reality all teams train together and seem to have a rather amicable relationship.

‘Yeah, it’s sort of a friendly rivalry,’ explains Trans Em, blocker for the Mistresses of Mayhem.

‘We’re all in this together to play an awesome sport but without the other team we wouldn’t have roller derby.

‘It’s kind of good because we get to know the other team and we’re pretty evenly matched in skill so the games are always close and interesting.

‘We love each other off the track but we all want to win so on the track it’s a bit different.’

And in the pursuit of that win, there are inevitably injuries. Worn with pride and captured on camera of course.

‘If you ever look on any of our Facebooks there are entire albums dedicated to injuries and bruises we’ve had,’ says Team Zebra ref, Satan’s Advocate.

‘I dislocated my knee,’ adds Trans Em. ‘I remember being hurt but I don’t remember whether I was tripped or fell, or who was with me or what happened- it’s all a blur.

‘It was in the second half of the first bout of last year and I was out for three months in rehab but now I’m allowed to skate again.’

Apart from bragging rights over war injuries, the self-expression and characterisation involved in roller derby is one of its big draw-cards. Players choose often overly-exaggerated, aggressive or comical names such as Tora Hymenov, Malice Springs or Freyda Nuffin and while each team has a uniform and colour, a certain amount of individual flair is almost obligatory.

‘Even though you’re in a team and you have to be part of that team, you’re still being you,’ said Satan’s Advocate. ‘You get to add your own little personal touch and you can be your own character.’

PRD recently launched their Fresh Meat program, which aims to recruit new players into the league, so if you have ever thought about strapping on the skates, getting out there and getting dirty, now is the time.

According to Maggie Snatcher, while mastering the skills of derby may take some training, anyone and everyone is welcome to join.

‘It takes a long time to learn how to do derby, but it’s the fitness and the skating skills that take the longest,’ she said.

‘First you have to learn how to skate, then you have to learn how to stop and then you have to learn how to fall. Then it becomes a lot more interesting because once you get used to the ground coming toward your face and get rid of the fear of falling, you feel a bit more confident at being able to do the contact side of things.’

PRD’s inclusive nature is evident in the diverse backgrounds of its players. The league comprises journalists, nurses, business owners, teachers, piercers, mums and environmental scientists ranging in age from 18-40 plus.

‘I really enjoy being part of creating something so amazing in Perth,’ said Maggie Snatcher.

‘Creating awesome events that people can rock up to and have a good time on a Saturday night is really exciting, but also for me it creates a home for all these women who are totally different who come together and do something that they love, form friendships and get some exercise.’

Satan’s Advocate agrees.

‘I just love coming down and skating with the girls and getting to know them,’ she said.

‘Plus, you get to wear long socks that are really cool!’

If you are interested in joining Perth Roller Derby, email prdfreshmeat@gmail.com or enquiries@perthrollerderby.com.au to register for Fresh Meat.

If you are interested in watching, the Perth Roller Derby 2010 season starts in May. Check the website for bout dates and times www.perthrollerderby.com.au

Amy henderson