THE Westside Derby Dollz will make roller derby history this weekend when they hit the track for their first home bout.
The WSDD’s travel team Westside Glory will take on Diamond Valley’s Rough Cut Rollers in a match bound to be full of thrills, spills and sparkles.
Keen to get rolling in the west’s first challenge at Braybrook is Barb Whitehurst, known on the track as ‘Bambam Ali’.
The personal trainer joined WSDD at the beginning of the year after looking to get into a team sport.
“I was a huge roller skater when I was younger,” Whitehurst said.
“Roller derby not only allows me to get my skates on again but I get to play a team sport with a fantastic bunch of people, learn awesome skills, make friends and, most of all, have fun.”
Roller derby is a full-contact sport played between two teams of five, with a designated point-scorer trying to score by lapping the other team. Comprising women from across the western suburbs, the Derby Dollz are competing in the inaugural Victoria-Tasmanian tournament, involving the top 16 teams from both states. They will also battle for the Ballarat Roller Derby League title.
Whitehurst chose roller derby because it was physically challenging, fast-paced and exciting. Although the sport can be rough, she doesn’t believe it’s dangerous.
“There are so many other contact sports that have similar levels of intensity and endurance but are much more rough. There are very strict rules in roller derby that are enforced for blocking areas and target zones on the track,” she said.
Westside Glory takes on Rough Cut Rollers at RecWest, Lily Street, Braybrook at 6.30pm on Saturday (doors open at 5.30pm).
Tickets: $12.50 pre-sale (children under 12 free) or $15 at the door until sold out.
Details: westsidederbydollz.org.au.
