VRDL take on Hotrod Honeys

Fast, intense, rough, sexy, exciting and tough. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it. Not only is it a sport, it’s also a spectacle. Roller Derby is a skillful game that’s grueling yet graceful.

The almost Antarctic conditions didn’t stop the crowd flocking to the showgrounds last Saturday night to see the Victorian Roller Derby League take on the Texas Hotrod Honeys. All three and a half thousand of them poured through the gates blankets and beanies in tow. For the lucky ones, they scored a seat on the ground or in the grandstand. Those not so lucky stood at the back on the platforms. Those wanting to get close to the action, brought cushions and rugs and sat track side in the ‘suicide seats’ just outside the safety zone. This is where the play comes crashing and sliding down on top of you!

I took my seat on the cold concrete ground, next to the player bench. The girls roll around the track effortlessly warming up. For them skating is second nature. Finely tuning their skills before the start of the bout. They are known only by there derby names, Kitty DeCapitate, Skate Bush, Smashen Pop, Kitty von Krusher to name a few. There uniforms are all different but matching with there own personal touch.





The atmosphere is intense, especially when you have thousands of people huddled around the short track. The teams form their final huddles before ‘Game On.’ As they take up their positions on the track the Hotrod Honeys look to have an impressive line up. But why wouldn’t they, the origins of derby stem back to America from 1930s. At the first whistle the battle begins. The Texans are fast and strong with chiseled abdominal muscles they are quick to tally their first points. There talent is incredible and the local girls put up a fight. The team’s fly past, around and around, they crash and bash and fall and fight. The crowd roars as they battle it out for 60 minutes.





When the final whistle sounds, the bout is over. The scoreboard shows only the result, but not the wonderful spectacle that has rolled out before us. The Texans have won, but it doesn’t matter, everyone had fun. The crowd swarms to the edge of the track to celebrate with the players on there victory lap, high fives all round. The place is left buzzing after this amazing display.

An electric sport like nothing you have every seen before. If you have never been to a derby bout I suggest you get to one soon. You wont regret it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone