Roller derby chasing more men

ROLLING: Ipswich’s roller derby league is calling for more men to join the sport. Already part of the club is John “Obelisk the Tormentor” Farrar (left) and Brad “Entropy” Marsh.

David Nielsen

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IPSWICH’S roller derby league is on the hunt for new members and is sending out a challenge to local men – can you skate like a girl?

Roller derby is a fast-paced sport played on quad roller skates with two teams where “jammers” score points by lapping members of the opposing team to score points.

While the game was invented in the 1930s and evolved from marathon races, roller derby’s modern revival has been traditionally women-dominated.

But Brisbane City Rollers is Australia’s first league to open the door to the boys, with nine male skaters currently on the books.

And with the league hoping to field two all-male teams by the end of the year for a special “Movember” match, this Sunday’s “freshmeat” intake for new skaters is probably the last chance for men to join with enough time to get ready for the bout.

BCR’s coach Brad “Entropy” Marsh, 33, was introduced to roller derby by his fiancee Aliya “HitnRun” Hutchinson who is also a BCR skater.

Mr Marsh said the strong women who played roller derby were one of the first things that attracted him to the sport.

“I’ve always been a sucker for strong women,” Mr Marsh said.

“How many female full-contact female sports do you have?”

BCR welcomes both male and female skaters aged over 18 to its “freshmeat” training session on Sunday, to be held at the Bundamba Skateaway from 4.45pm to 6.45pm.

Training costs $12 and skates and protective gear, which is mandatory, are available for hire.

Email freshmeat@brisbanecityrollers.com.au for more details.