Roll with it!

Roller Derby originates from America and it’s based on formation roller skating around an oval track. Points are scored when certain players lap the opposition.

It’s exciting, full of adrenalin and it’s impossible not to get hooked. Especially because the games are high scoring and it’s arguably as physical as rugby. Predominantly a female sport in America it’s professional in some states. You really need to see it played to fully understand it.

You wear a lot of protection, and it looks really physical, are there a lot of injuries?

Ms’isle: No, very rarely. The occasional bruise and a broken wrist is all we’ve had at our club. Most injuries occur when players fall and they don’t land the way they have been trained to.

What is the best thing about Roller Derby and the Rainy City Roller Girls?

Feral Fairy: The names for sure. It’s great fun to pick a team name and it gives you a new persona. You can reinvent yourself. In fact I know people’s team name but often not their ‘real name’! Our team names are printed on our kit.

Sui – Cider: We’ve changed our Facebook names to our team names! Most people do this. We have lots of friends in the Roller Derby community across the country and we all know each other by our team names.

Ms’isle: I love the fact that our club is so welcoming. I felt completely at ease and accepted straightaway. It’s like a family and the Roller Derby community is so supportive of each other too.

How are names chosen?

Feral fAIRY: It’s different for everyone. For some people it’s a play on words or it’s something to reflect their personality. All names have to be registered online to make sure nobody else has the name. It’s really cool. What is your favourite roller girl name?

Sui-Cider: That’s a tough question. There is a player in America called, Beyon Slay. She has a bit of a cult following.

There seems to be quite a punk aesthetic to roller derby, with the names and the dress, do you think this is important in attracting players who might not ordinarily be interested in sport?

Sui-Cider: Definitely. Roller Derby is unique as it brings punk and alternative together with sport.  I was never interested in sport at school so it’s great that there is a sport where you can be an individual and express yourself. It’s such a comfortable environment, we have members from every walk of life.

Feral FAIRY: You don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to play. Most of our members had never played Roller Derby before. All levels are welcome. You don’t have to commit to anything, just come down, give it a go and see what you think.

Roller Derby is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, do you think it will explode next year with the release of the film 'Whip It'?

Feral Fairy: Yes. The film is due for release early next year and it will certainly create awareness of the sport and hopefully encourage people to give it a try. We are planning to have a stall at the Odeon when Whip It is released so we can spread the word about Rainy City Roller Girls.

It’s a relatively new sport, but what are you hopes for the future of roller derby in the UK ...a national league maybe?

Ms’Isle: It’s growing quickly. Every couple of months we hear of a new team being formed. Tournaments are happening much more frequently now too. In fact there was a tournament at Earls Court in July this year and teams from Germany came. It’s definitely becoming more mainstream. I’m sure a national team is a real possibility in the next year or so.

So if you like what you’ve read and want to find out more about the Rainy City Roller Girls log onto: rcrg.co.uk

Details of where and when they train can be found along with fundraising events, more information on the sport and how you can get involved. I urge you to give it a go, you have nothing to lose. The girls I met were high off life and keen to spread the love to new members!