Roller derby tumbled into Fort St. John for second game
Tuesday, 19 July 2011 16:09
Kyla Corpuz photo
Team Bunker Busters posed for the camera before rolling on out.
By Kyla Corpuz
FORT ST. JOHN - War broke out in the North Peace Arena on Jul. 16, in the form of girls armoured with roller skates and knee pads that struck each other like lightning bolts.
It was the second roller derby event hosted by the Energetic City Roller Derby Association in Fort St. John.
Girls from the Peace region stretching to Edmonton came out for a mix-bagged derby bout, a match between a blend of girls from different home teams.
In red cut-up t-shirts, were the Cherry Bombers and facing them were the Bunker Busters.
The Cherry Bombers kept a steady lead throughout the game.
Within the first ten minutes they were up by 10 points. Just before half time, the Bunker Busters were making their way up the scoreboard, only lagging eight points behind. But at half time the Cherry Bombers exploded and kept the lead at 35 to 23, with breakaways by Bella Bomb.
The Bunker Busters tried to redeem themselves during the second period, but the speedy and swift skating of Blondie Bruiser, kept the Cherry Bombers in the lead. The bout ended with 91 to 75 for the Cherry Bombers.
Nonetheless, team spirits were high and good sportsmanship reveled as cheers and claps resonated from both teams.
While some might think otherwise, roller derby is not just a band of girls roughing it out in skates; it’s considered an international, full-contact sport.
“It’s a sport, it’s not just a show. There’s no script, there’s no choreography — it is what it is. It’s as if you were playing a hockey game,” said Kim Large, organizer of the War In Peace roller derby event. Large is more popularly known as Jasa Voorhees, her derby girl name.
It may be new to Fort St. John, as the first roller derby match was just last May, but the sport has been exploding across the globe.
“There’s roller derby everywhere,” said Large. From smaller towns like Fort St. John to Moose Jaw, Sasketchewan and out to central cities, Large added it’s growing fast.
Roller derby has evolved through the years. In the 70s and 80s, back-hitting and hair pulling were admissible, now moves like those are considered a big ‘no-no,’ according to Large and can even land you a spot in the penalty box.
“There’s lots of hitting and rough tumble, but it’s not like the old school derby. No punches, pulling or kicking — nothing like that. Now it’s more about the sport and athleticism. Obviously, we have some flare, with the fish nets and the colourful names, but it’s about the sport now,” said Large.
The sport is taken very seriously, considering the only thing keeping a derby girl between her and the concrete is a thin layer of fishnet stockings or a kneepad, depending how she lands.
Before a girl can lace up her skates and play in a bout, she must pass a skills test. Some of the girls that played in last Saturday’s match had just reached that requirement.
A match is between two teams with five players: One pivot, three blockers and one jammer. The goal of the game is for the jammer to successfully pass the herd of blockers without being pushed out of bounds or causing a penalty. Each blocker and pivot the jammer passes earns the team a point. The jammer can earn extra points by fully lapping the opposing jammer.
Two referees are required to keep the game in conduct.
Fort St. John will face it’s first match as a team on Aug. 13 at 4 p.m. at the North Peace Arena. Along with a $7 entrance fee at the door, spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank.
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