Dreaming

If the idea of girls in skirts play-fighting with fluffy pillows is your idea of an awesome time, you probably won’t handle a night at the Roller Derby.

These ladies take it to the next level as they battle it out on the roller circuit, bruised body parts, ‘jammers’ and all. “There are a lot of rules involved in the game; it’s a very technical sport,” Northern Brisbane Rollers captain Annabelle Lector says. “The first time you watch it you think ‘oh yeah there’s girls in hot pants knocking each other over, that’s kind of cool’, but when you actually follow the sport there is so many little technical things to notice.”

Even though the sport is fiercely competitive, the teams are pretty chilled out once they get off the track. “Some of my best friends are on opposing teams and we smash each other every time we hit the track,” opposing captain of the Sun State Roller Girls, Slawta Dawta says. “You always congratulate that lethal hit that lays you out, even if you can't breathe.”

After seeing some of the magnificent smack-downs, it’s hard to believe the girls all get along; then again, according to Slawta Dawta, roller derby isn’t any ordinary sport. “The roller derby isn't average in any way. Intense would be a more fitting word … We encourage our league members to have fun while challenging their physical limits. There are so many aspects of our league that enrich and empower women in life and the sporting arena.” 

Both Queensland teams are gearing up for the battle of a lifetime, and hoping to stay in one piece, as they play Seattle’s notoriously fast Rat City Rollergirls. “Get ready to see some of the most intense roller derby ever played in Brisbane. Rat City has some of the world's best and we are all looking forward to this amazing opportunity to play against them.”

Echoing Slawta Dawta’s sentiments, Annabelle Lector adds: “It’s going to be a very strategic game, lots of big hits and lots of fast jammers, it will be very exciting.”

CATCH THE NORTHERN BRISBANE ROLLERS AND THE SUN STATE ROLLER GIRLS WHEN THEY PLAY SEATTLE’S RAT CITY ROLLERGIRLS AT THE BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE NOVEMBER 26.