Roller Derby
This Australian team just won the Roller Derby World Championships
And they're the first ever non-US team to have done so.
You may not have heard, but earlier this month The Victorian Roller Derby League All Stars – a fusion of local derby clubs All Stars, Queen Bees and Notorious VIC’s – became the ever first non-US team to win the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Championships in Philadelphia.
With a score of 180:101, the All Stars knocked out reigning champions (the Portland-based Rose City Rollers Wheels of Justice) to become the world leaders in international women’s roller derby – all in all, a pretty huge deal.
The winners' circle
© Courtesy of VRDL
“It was the kind of thing you dream of,” says co-Captain Lauren Foote. “That feeling of being the best and taking home the big win. A lot of things have to line up to have an undefeated season, and we put in the hard yards to get there.”
‘Hard yards’ is an understatement. Since the 2015 WFTDA Championships (when Foote’s All Stars became the first international team ever to be awarded a medal placing), the team has trained extensively to reach the top: three to four two-hour sessions a week in their home venue, a factory in the heart of Preston, Victoria, with an additional four hours on Saturdays and individual cross-training twice a week.
The scene, home and afar
Succeeding against the best of the US and the world is particularly impressive given the scant opportunities the All Stars have to train against the non-domestic talent pool.
An All Star in full flight
© Marko Niemela
“Being in Australia makes our season a lot different to other teams,” says Foote. “We play ourselves and our B team each week in practice games called scrimmage…we often play the men’s Australian team (and win!) as warm up games as well.”
Nonetheless, the All Stars do get a chance to spin against their American compatriots, flying to the US three times a year for sanctioned matches: an expensive mission. Amazingly, despite their world-leader status, the team remains a self-funded entity.
Speaking of the men’s league, the bulk of the attention in roller derby is chiefly squared on the women’s game. “Women's roller derby definitely has a lot more history than the men’s,” says Foote. “I do love that this sport is showcasing women's athleticism and strong females, because we need more of those for people to look up to.”
Camaraderie is the name of the game
© Quick 'n' Derby
Roller Derby: the rules
Though most of us admire the strength, power (and awesome nicknames) of roller derby from afar, it’s fair to say that few amongst us actually know what goes down on the track.
A quick primer: Roller Derby is a full contact sport played on a flat, oval surface between two teams of 14. Each team fields five players – four ‘blockers’ and one ‘jammer – to score the most points. The jammer’s task is to get through a pack of opposition blockers before they’re granted 'lead jammer status,’ gaining a point for every opposing player’s hips they pass on their second lap.
It can get brutal out there
© Marko Niemela
Jammers can, at times, pull out a move called a ‘whip’, grabbing the arm of a blocker or the back of her shirt to propel themselves forward through the other’s momentum. Blockers can, of course, block – but they can’t trip, or elbow, all of which is regulated by upwards of 20 match officials. (For more bones, check out the official WFTDA rulebook.)
Fierceness or fun?
Despite the fierceness of play at home and abroad – and the injuries that seem to stem from the full contact – at the end of the day roller derby is mostly all fun and games.
“Derby is a great vibe because you usually know your opponents very well – through previous games, friendships or coaching together,” says Foote. “I really enjoy having a laugh when I'm playing, and I’ll always praise someone if they do a good move against me.”
The All Stars celebrate their victory
© Quick 'n' Derby
And those player nicknames – if nothing else, they’re a sure indicator of a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek. “The nicknames are fun in derby, although about 50% of players use their real name now,” adds Foote, recounting some of her favourites: ‘Satan's Little Helper’, ‘S. H Long’, ‘Dayna Might’, and ‘Lady Trample’ – the All Stars’ lead jammer, who took out the Most Valuable Player award at the WFTDA final.
With Foote already eyeing up next year’s championship, the future’s looking bright for roller derby in Australia. But it’s not without its hurdles. “At the moment we are looking for sponsors to help us continue to play at the level we play at,” she says. “It costs our team over $100,000 to play each year and we currently get no sponsorship. Our goal is to see more money go into women’s sport, and derby to help us continue to do what we love and represent Australia.”
Sweet victory!
© Marko Niemela
Find out how you can get involved in Australia's Roller Derby scene at the Victorian Roller Derby League (inside Victoria) or Roller Derby Australia (outside Victoria)