WA ROLLER DERBY

Mel Mangles and ScratcherInTheEye explain a drill.

WA Roller Derby skaters went home full of new ideas and skills to practice after a boot camp with visiting Rose City Rollers Mel Mangles and ScratcherInTheEye this weekend. With tips on blocking, footwork and strategy on offer, skaters from WARD, Gold City Rollers, Dread Pirate Rollers, Perth Roller Derby and Perth Roller Derby soaked in all they could over two big days.

Mangles and Scratcher were as knowledgeable and friendly as you would expect and answered all the girls’ questions as they put them through their paces. On the Saturday night they joined WARD and fans at a screening of Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers in Fremantle and answered audience questions ranging from athleticism vs show-womanship to maintaining the passion after the hard yards. Check out the photos from the night on our Facebook page.

Gold City Rollers with Rose City's Mangles and Scratcher.

Great big thanks go to Mangles and Scratcher for sharing their knowledge and to all the WARD girls who made the weekend a big success. The skaters will be full of renewed enthusiasm at training as they work on new techniques, hits and tactics. Check out the Rose City girls’ blog Brutal Beauty Bootcamp Tour for updates on their travels.

WARD's travel team Wards of the Skate with Rose City's Mangles & Scratcher.

Roller derby, a full contact sport played on roller skates, was born in the United States in the 1930s and flourished until the 1970s and 80s when it faded out of the spotlight. In 2001 a revival started and thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of leagues such as Portland, Oregon’s Rose City Rollers it is now a truly international movement and the fastest growing women’s sport in the world.

In the spirit of international roller derby love, WA Roller Derby is proud to bring to you the Australian Premiere of Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers. For more than a year and a half, an embedded film crew documented the thrills and spills of derby life with this US league. Not only do the Rose City Rollers tell how roller derby saved their souls, our special guests, Rose City skaters Mel Mangles and ScratcherIntheEye will be taking questions after the screening. Find out more about the film here and get your tickets before they’re all gone!

What: Brutal Beauty – Tales of the Rose City Rollers.

When: 6.30pm, Saturday, January 21.

Where: Fremantle Town Hall, 8 William Street, Fremantle.

Tickets: $15 online now!

Other things: Doors open at 6pm and there will be snacks and drinks available for purchase thanks to our sponsor Little Creatures Brewing Company. The film is unrated and contains coarse language so bring your kids at your own discretion.

Twas the Fight Before Christmas, when all through the house…
A creature was stirring, but it ain’t no mouse…
There were stockings so holey, and short shorts to wear…
Excitement was building, soon bout day would be there!

The season may over but derby girls don’t like to sit still for long. So Perth’s WARD girls are packing their bags and heading to meet their Gold City Rollers sisters on the track in Kalgoorlie. Christmas is all about family, after all, so the teams will be divided into Slay Belles and Silent Fights for some good old pot-luck fun. Last time Kalgoorlie hosted a bout some unlucky fans missed out so get your tickets, slip into your Christmas best and go see some festive derby action.

What: The Fight Before Christmas, Slay Belles vs Silent Fights

Where: Brookman Street Basketball Stadium, Kalgoorlie.

When: Saturday, December 3. Doors open 6.30pm, first whistle 7.30pm.

Tickets: $10 from Celebration City and Brookman Street Basketball Stadium. Children under 5 are free.

A review by WARD skater Bubblin’ Squeaks:

A long time ago (well, last weekend), in a galaxy far, far away (Midvale, to be precise), the WA Roller Derby skaters returned to the Speed Dome, with the Electric Screams looking to snatch victory from the clutches of the undefeated Sonic Doom. Return of the Jammer was the last bout of the season for the fearless WARD skaters, and with spirits running high after the league’s recent success over the Perth Roller Derby Rumble Bees, there was no doubt that the night would be a no-holds-barred, intergalactic battle.

With supporters of both sides gathered and ready, the light-sabres were drawn, and the Screams and Dooms prepared to unleash the force in explosive fashion, with Screams’ Hot Wheels and Doom’s Femme Ferox going head-to-head in the first jam of the night. Right from the start it was clear that both teams had brought their A game and sadly Doomer favourite Taye Q. Down was wiped out by rebel Scream forces within the first minute of play. After a nail-biting break, the ever-ready Taye was back on her feet, although Doom’s confidence appeared to be knocked as Electric Screams came out on top, taking the lead 6-4 after the first jam. Could this be Screams’ night?

Could it be Screams' night? Image courtesy of Peter Granheim Photography.

Lightening quick play dominated the night, with Serenity Pow jamming for the Dooms as if her life depended on it, some furious blocking from both teams, and Screams’ Whisky Sour sending Karmen Adairya down. In typical Doom style Karmen shrugged off the smackdown and got straight back onto the track. Halfway through the first half Sonic Doom were powering ahead 38-18. Electric Screams’ grit and determination, which we have seen all year, was apparent but Dooms countered every badass attack with moves of their own. Towards the back end of the first half, Sonic Doom jammer Modern Warfare was banished to the penalty box, leaving Screams’ uber-jammer Hot Wheels capturing as many points as her shiny silver booty could manage.

Approaching the half-time whistle, both teams started to use more tactical plays. As well as the fast and hard jams WARD feels familiar with, there was a bit of slow derby, keeping each other, and the screaming fans, on their toes. Despite best efforts from Screams’ stars Steely Niel and Madamage, the score at half time stood at 60-40 to Sonic Doom.

The second half was faster than a TIE fighter, with just as many twists and turns, skaters flying all over the track, and multiple visits to the penalty box from each team, showing that neither was willing to go down without a fight. Doom’s Neon D’Fleur was thrown in the sin bin for a low block on Damanda Respect and Screams’ Face N Vada whizzed into the penalty box, wiping out the bench with her. At one point both jammers fought so hard for points that they were both taken out of play, with Hot Wheels and Dotty given time out simultaneously.

Sweat, grit and tactics. Image courtesy of Peter Granheim Photography.

Pressure was put on Sonic Doom by blockers I Scream, Whisky Sour, and Slam Krunk, but ultimately the force with the Doom was too strong, and the black and blue army screeched through to the end with a winning score of 135 to Electric Screams’ 96. But what’s this? Sonic Doom’s jedi warrior Karmen Adairya was caught under an almighty pile-up right at the final whistle. Although in pain, Karmen managed to soldier on for the end of season presentation and, supported by her team-mates, was willing to partake in both after party and after after party extravagance.

What does this mean for our fearless teams? After a gruelling season, we’ve seen no small amount of blood, sweat, and tears, along with plenty of joy and pain. What comes next? Will Electric Screams return next season to claim a long-awaited victory? Will Sonic Doom’s dominance continue? Who is the real Darth Vida? Find out all this and more in THE NEXT EPISODE…

TO BE CONTINUED IN 2012

Sonic Doom and Electric Screams ready for battle.

Bo Skiddley & Damanda Respect. Image by Peter Granheim.

MILES of undead flesh and litres of fake blood made for a gruesome Saturday night as roller derby fans swarmed at the SpeedDome for Perth Roller Derby’s Halloween double header Bout of the Skating Dead.  WA Roller Derby made history with a convincing win against their cross-town rivals, scoring 143 to 90 against the Perth Roller Derby Rumble Bees. The Rumble Bees shot to an early lead in the first couple of jams but WARD slowly clawed their way back. Lightning fast packs sent jammers flying through, instead of into, the penalty box and some hard hits from both sides kept the game physical, if not brutal. WARD’s methodical goating controlled the pace and their unrelenting walls at the front of the pack made sure they didn’t give any points away without a fight. By half time they had a decent lead 76 to Rumble Bees’ 65.

Hot Wheels, MaDamage and Morgan Wildchild. Image by Peter Granheim.

Rumble Bees’ speed and aggression were evident, with Ja’Main Fear and Julia Killhard fairly flying around the track as their team’s main jammers; Polly Cystic and Morgan Wildchild also put in powerful performances. WARD seemed to gather confidence as the bout went on, their walls were solid, jammers nimble and they deftly controlled the pace of the pack for most of the second half. Notably, WARD played a different jammer for the first four jams and the depth of talent in the young team was clear. Stalwarts Hot Wheels, Serenity Pow and Ophelia Terror did the lion’s share of the jamming and Damanda Respect, Femme Ferox, Juicy M Suffer and Steely Niel were tactical blockers. After Modern Warfare’s outstanding full two minutes jamming in the final jam the teams were exhausted but jubilant with WARDs of the Skate taking home their very first win. Warfare took home Most Valued Player for her team and Julia Killhard was Most Valued for the Rumble Bees. Sadly, the Prime Minister did not take time out from CHOGM to congratulate her.

From the moment the Perth Roller Derby All Stars took to the track dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the audience knew it was in for a show and their bout against North Brisbane Rollers’ Brawl Stars did not disappoint. As always it is a treat to watch players like Annie Thingoes and Mary Fagdalene jam, but NBR’s control of the speed of the pack was exceptional. Hard hits from NBR’s players such as Oh Hell No were impressive and the speed and smarts of Annabell Lecter, Lil Gee Unit and Brandee Snapz as they jammed were a joy to watch. Posh Slice and Dirty KO were instrumental for PRD and the crowd just loved to see the home town girls scoring points but sadly it wasn’t enough. Going into half time the score was 126-65 to NBR.

The visitors’ ability to go from the slowest of slow derby to the fastest of packs to suit their need was impressive as was their gameplay. Late in the second half jammer Lil Gee Unit, upon being the second jammer sent to the box, hovered over her seat without sitting to force PRD jammer Posh Slice to serve out her time, proving NBR brought the tactics to outwit the local girls. NBR left the SpeedDome with a final score of 201 to 139 and left the local roller derby community with plenty of new ideas. Mary Fagdalene took home MVP for PRD and Janosaurus Wrecks was voted most valued for the Brawl Stars.

WARDs of the Skate and Perth Roller Derby Rumble Bees. Image by Peter Granheim.

The finale for PRD may have been held but don’t miss the climax of WA Roller Derby’s season, which will be held in a galaxy far, far away. Tickets are on sale now for Return of the Jammer on November 12. Tickets are just $11 for adults and $6 for children from Planet Video, Rolloways, Talk To Me Derby and online.

Derby girls do or do not, there is no try. For this last bout of the season WA Roller Derby is going to a galaxy far far away as Electric Screams aim for their first win against Sonic Doom in Return of the Jammer. Be there as WARD skaters emerge unharmed from their carbonite casing ready to fight another day. The odds may be stacked against them, but our jammers have the Force on their side as they dodge the heaviest hits with almost telepathic reflexes.

Join the rebel alliance at the Speed Dome for another great night out with half time entertainment, stalls and of course all the roller derby action. Sonic Doom won the last bout but the scores are becoming ever closer, is it time for Screams to overcome that powerful blue defensive line? Will Darth Vida be able to lead Doom to yet another victory or will Face N Vader’s Screams be able to shoot down their opposition? Whatever the outcome these are the roller derby teams you’re looking for.

Get a ticket and come along in your best Star Wars costume, have a pic taken with a representative of the 501^st Legion and get ready to go to the Dark Side and back for an explosive end to the intraleague season.

What: WA Roller Derby presents Return of the Jammer.

Where: Midvale Speed Dome, Eddie Baron Drive, Midvale. Here’s a map.

When: Saturday, November 12. Doors open at 6pm first whistle at 7pm.

Tickets: $12 adults, $6 children between 2 and 12 years from Rolloways, Talk to Me Derby, Planet Video and online.

Something evil is lurking at your local roller derby venue; derby skaters from coast to coast are succumbing to the clutches of the undead. Slowly but in ever greater numbers, skaters from WA Roller Derby, Perth Roller Derby and North Brisbane Rollers lurch towards Midvale Speed Dome on October 29 for a big Halloween double header, The Bout of the Skating Dead. Grab your chainsaw, load the shotgun and prepare to fight your way into the WARD Horde to cheer on your All Star team against the Perth Roller Derby Rumble Bees.

This year roller derby in WA was opened up to visiting leagues. Since WA’s very first interstate bout WARD versus South Sea Roller Derby in July, PRD has met Adelaide Roller Derby and now hosts the North Brisbane Brawl Stars. Will Perth Roller Derby be able to improve on its margin from the bout against the Adeladies? What tricks will the Brawl Stars be able to teach the local derby community?

WARD girls haven’t donned the black and green of the WARDs of the Skate all-star team since that SSRD bout and they’ll be itching to represent the league. The last time WARD met PRD it ended in a loss for our girls, but this time around we have a new line up of our most fearsome skaters and the experience of four more bouts under our short-shorts. They’ve done their cardio, they’ve stocked the basement and boarded up the windows. Will they be able to put that double tap to the head of this epic rivalry when they hit the track?

Get your tickets and head to Midvale to see three great leagues satisfy their hunger for braaaaains. But be warned, these derby girls won’t stay dead.

What: Perth Roller Derby presents Bout of the Skating Dead.

When: Saturday, October 29. Doors open 5pm, first whistle is at 5.45pm.

Where: Midvale Speed Dome, Eddie Barron Drive, Midvale. Here’s a map.

Tickets: $17 adults, $6 children from Morley Rollerdrome, Talk To Me Derby or online.

Sonic Doom and Electric Screams greet each other on the track. Photo courtesy of Peter Granheim Photography.

WA Roller Derby went back to the future Saturday night as Sonic Doom continued its unbeaten record winning 99 to 86 against the ever more powerful Electric Screams.  Block to the Future was full of WARD’s signature entertainment, from a DeLorean for photo opportunities to Sonic Doom’s dance-off style skate out, but the action on the track was still the highlight with the scores tied several times.

Screams’ jammers Hot Wheels and Ophelia Terror were beaten to near exhaustion by Doom’s heavy hitters Neon D’Fleur and WARD newcomer Femme Ferrox in the first few jams but the underdogs kept coming back. Doom’s effective defence was matched with the skill of jammers Serenity Pow and Dotty Deranged against whom Screams’ blockers Damanda Respect and  Juicy M Suffer put up strong resistance. The crowd was on the edge of its collective seat as the score tied 42 all going into half time. Band WrongTown entertained fans in the break but the fighting spirit was back on the track before the second half with WARD’s first ever and fiercely competitive Under 12s Balloon Race.

Damanda Respect, Serenity Pow and Ophelia Terror. Photo courtesy of Peter Granheim Photography.

In the second half the Screams fooled Doom with a quick show of aggression playing all-rounder Madamage and then the lithe Steely Niel as jammers to take the lead but the scores were tied again soon enough. Doom gave the Screams’ hopes short shrift and jammers Modern Warfare and crowd-pleaser Karmen Adairya opened up a narrow lead for the black and blue. Ferrox was noteable jamming in the second half, standing back from the jammer line to get a swift run up and having the blocking skills to match her speed.

Smart team play is the beginning and the end of every roller derby bout and this remained true for Sonic Doom at Block to the Future. From wise line-up choices to hard hitting, Doom did everything to maintain its unblemished win tally. Screams was due for a win this time and fought bravely but faced a solid wall of Doom blockers time and time again. Slow starts and knee down starts were used sparingly and the crowd cheered for more right up to the end. The efforts of Screams’ Madamage and Respect were rewarded with most feared player and most valued player respectively, while Doom’s Adairya and Warfare took out the prizes for their team.

The bitter end of this season will be a battle fought in a galaxy far far away. See the Screams and Doom face each other one last time this year at Return of the Jammer November 12. Tickets are on sale online now.

Meanwhile, don’t miss the chance to see WARD’s very best skaters line up against Perth Roller Derby’s Rumble Bees and Perth Roller Derby’s All Star team line up against North Brisbane Rollers Brawl Stars at the Night of the Skating Dead double header on October 29. Tickets on sale online now.

The whistle has blown, the jammers have hit 88 miles and hour and oh how far they’ve traveled! Watch this space for all the hits, stacks and plutonium fueled action from Block to the Future in the coming days.

In the meantime, get ready to see the our all star team WARDs of the Skate rock Perth Roller Derby’s B team, before Perth Roller Derby’s all stars meet North Brisbane Rollers Brawl Stars in another interleague double header! Get on your green & black and perfect your zombie shuffle for this massive October 29 bout. Tickets on sale now.

Great Scott! Two WA Roller Derby teams have checked the flux capacitor and hit 88 miles an hour to bring you the second intraleague bout for the season, Block To The Future. Get yourself a ticket, grab your team colours and fasten your seat belts to watch as Electric Screams and Sonic Doom hit the gas on another action packed roller derby battle.

Doom won by just 12 points last time they met the Screams, but could the underdog turn back the clock on their opposition’s past form? Armed with the foreknowledge of their opponents’ strengths, both teams can put their new line ups to good use on the track and roll out some tactics to take this rivalry up to the next level.

The new Screams side now has talented players such as Hot Wheels, Whisky Sour and Ophelia Terror, could the Dooms first loss just be a matter of time? Or will Doom stalwarts Karmen Adairya, Serenity Pow and captain Taye Q Down put the brakes on Screams’ ambitions?

After last bout’s close score both teams will bring their best games. Hold on to your hoverboards because this bout is going to get heavy.

What: Block to the Future – Electric Screams Vs Sonic Doom

When: Saturday, October 8. Doors open at 6pm, first whistle at 7pm.

Where: SpeedDome, Eddie Barron Drive, Midvale.

Tickets: $11 adults, $6 children from Rolloways, Talk To Me Derby and Planet Video or online. Don’t forget to let us know you’ll be there on Facebook.

Other things: The SpeedDome gets a little chilly, so best you bring a jacket. If you intend to sit trackside you do so at your own risk and you must be over 18 (we also recommend you bring a cushion). This event has a licensed section. Food and drink, as well as merchandise, will be available but the venue has no ATM so bring cash.