Stop, drop, and roller
Evoking 1930s drive through roller-girls in short skirts: the Wellington Richter City Roller Derby is coming to town.
Rusty Stiletto and her team mates Kiri Te Karnage, and Rita Anguish will be promoting the Richter City Roller Derby’s first “bout”.
A “bout” consists of two teams of five girls flying around a rink, with the objective of getting your “jammer” in front of the opposing team’s four “blockers” to score points.
“It’s known for spills and thrills, and is a great combination of athleticism and performance,” says Rusty Stiletto, aka advertising agent Penny de Borst.
She is amazed at how fast Roller Derby has caught on in Wellington.
Last year they moved the league to the TSB Arena; a step up from the Wellington Basketball Association’ South West Stadium.
“It became so popular in just one year; we had people lining up outside the venue,” she says.
De Borst says Roller Derby is undergoing a revival, and there are now over 50 members in Wellington.
“The sport came about with a new wave of feminism in the 1930s, and was a real exhibition sport. But by the 1980s it was more ridiculous and staged with fighting and punch-ups.”
De Borst says they don’t stage their “bouts”, but the flamboyant nature continues.
“There is a reputation of hot women in frocks on skates, and you will definitely find that. But it’s really quite strategic, and you need real fitness to pull it off,” says de Borst.
Wellington has two teams, Brutal Pageant and Smash Malice.
“Smash Malice wears leopard print and trashy Outrageous Fortune gear, while we are dazzling beauty queens with red ruffles.”
De Borst is preparing for her first season and says the Roller Derby is all about girl power.
“What bonds us is a sense of independence. We are strong and independent women from all walks of life; mothers, librarians, doctors, and teachers.”
In her first year on the circuit, De Borst is excited about dealing out punishment as a blocker.
Richter City Roller Derby first bout, Stop Drop and Roll, TSB Arena, July 24
Have Your Say
2 Comments
Hadyn Green at 9:41 a.m. on 23 July said
Is that a picture of an actual derby girl or just some girl with roller skates?
rosie (aka rocket queen) at 5:49 p.m. on 23 July said
It's a shame you didn't research this burgeoning sport a little deeper. I play as a blocker with Smash Malice. I train for up to 7 hours a week to play this sport. Women's Flat Track Roller Derby (the international body) requires we abide by a 40+ page rulebook. The sport is extremely tactical and physical, requiring months of training to even begin to understand how to achieve some of the tactics used in a bout. And few of us are "skimpily clad" or "invoke 1930s drive through roller girls in short skirts". We *do* however wear helmets, mouthguards, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. Roller derby is such an exciting sport, taking off around the world. It's popular because it is fast-paced and tactical! And it is different in its aesthetic and team demographic from the mainstream sports on offer in New Zealand. But we work really hard for this - as you will see if you come to see us play tomorrow night!