Rebel ladies on a roll with skating battles

BY day they are ordinary mums, nurses, teachers and dressmakers.

But by night they roll with fury in a full-contact women’s-only sport that’s sweeping the nation.

Meet the Rebel County Rollers — the country’s newest roller derby league team which is leading the Irish revival of the US-invented game.

Members of the 40-member Cork-based club lace up their skates, strap on helmets and knee pads, and wear gum shields at least three nights a week to knock each other off a roller skate track at high-speed.

“Roller derby is gripping Europe in an explosive revival of a full-contact, all-female sport which is played on old-school, quad roller skates,” club spokesperson Christine Allen said.

Known as Plymouth Fury during the bouts, Christine said: “It’s a huge fellowship of women across the globe. It’s high-speed and addictive for skaters and a thrilling experience for spectators too.

“Our fan base is growing fast too, as women want an alternative sport and spectators can’t get enough derby action.”

She and fellow club members like Crow Jane, Angur Bán, Black Dahlia, Fáinleóg, HollyTron and Lucky Danger, unveiled their sport to the public last week when they skated in full protective gear in Cork’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.

They were also honoured by the San Diego Derby Dolls, who wore their logo in the San Diego St Patrick’s Day Parade last weekend.

Expert coaches from England and the US have also visited clubs here to help develop the sport.

There are teams in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Carlow and plans are being drawn up for a national bouting championship later this year. Christine invited other women to join the club ahead of its first competitive bout later this year.

The rules of the game are relatively simple. There are two opposing teams on the track for each game, called a jam — a total of 10 skaters.

Each team has four blockers and a jammer — a sprinting skater. One blocker plays the role of pivot skater and controls the speed at the front of the pack.

When the whistle goes the pack of blockers skate in an anti-clockwise direction.

Seconds later the jammer races behind them in a bid to become the first jammer to pass all the blockers, scoring points as she goes.

The blockers try to clear a path for the jammer, by jostling other skaters out of the way.

“We might make it look easy, but staying on your feet is hard work when a group of hard-hitting women are trying to knock you down,” Christine said.

“The funny thing is, if one of the girls gives you a good hit you respect them for it.

“We are all very close friends and have huge admiration for each other’s skills. Once we are off the track and out of our gear we’re just regular girls again and the best of friends.”

The games are closely monitored by referees to ensure players confine their blows and belts to ‘legal hitting zones’.

“There is no denying it, it’s not for the timid. Saying that, many quiet and sweet girls in our league put on the skates and gear and become their derby personas. To be honest, some of them are terrifying,” Christine said.

Head coach Grainne “Rush’n’ Attack” Barron said new skaters need only be able to stand up on skates.

“Obviously more experience would be an advantage but we will be able to teach people basic derby skills,” she said.

“Some of our best skaters today never skated before they joined up. Even if you haven’t put on skates since the 80s you will be surprised at how quickly you learn the ropes.”

The game was founded in America in 1935 and became an immediate hit. Rougher than the modern version, with full-on fist fights, it remained a symbol of female empowerment until the 1970s when its popularity waned. But the revival began in Austin, Texas in 2001.

Rebel County Rollers train up to three times a week at the Mayfield Sport’s Complex and Blackrock Hurling Club. The club will host an open day on Sunday, April 3, for prospective members.

* Contact [e-mail], or check out www.rebelcountyrollers.org or find them on Facebook.