OCTOBER 2017 | David Claridge

EARLY SEPTEMBER saw Westbury Sports Centre come to life with Roller Derby teams competing from across the state.

Hosted by the Devil State Derby League, women from four teams donned their roller skates and helmets to play three matches.

Devil State Derby League member, Megan O’Donnell, (whose derby name is JP), was pleased with the turnout of the teams and the competition they brought.

“Every month we try to put on a scrimmage day in Westbury that all leagues are invited to come to,” she said.

“It is always fun to play other leagues in the state.  We get along really well with all of them, but everyone wants to win.

Danielle Pretty, one of the head trainers for the South Island Sirens shared her thoughts on their winning match against the Van Dieman Rollers.

“We have played against them a few times before.  They are a great bunch of girls with some really talented skaters.  Last time they beat us, so we were chasing that one,” she said.

“The team comes up from Hobart once a year but sometimes the girls travel up for scrims which is a good way to practice.

“It is really competitive but it is really great fun.

Roller Derby is a full contact sport that takes place on an oval track.

There are four blockers from each team on track at any time and one jammer for each team.

The jammer is the points scorer, and for each opposing player they pass a point is scored.

The goal is to get the most points while the blockers try to stop the jammers.

Photo | Mike Moores