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Friday, June 21, 2013
Miss Dior Chance of the Brass Knuckles Derby Dames (second from left) thunders around the block of her Alberni Valley Roller Girl opponent during roller derby action at Fuller Lake Arena Sunday, June 16.
Andrew Leong
Female aggression and bonding on wheels and fishnet stockings Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
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magine crashing and bumping into opponents as your alter-ego “Diemond” wearing fish-net stockings, before heading home to cook a wholesome dinner for your husband and children. It’s strange, but it’s becoming norm for a group of gals in Cowichan who’ve jumped on the roller derby wagon. Crofton’s Kelly Corby said interest, particularly among Cowichan’s younger folk, has peaked since the sport popped up in the valley last year. Members of Brass Knuckles as well as junior squad Candy Crushers, of which Corby (Pain
Roller Derby: Revived sport hosts first Fuller Lake double-header event as girls — and a few boys — flock to get on a roll
Kill’Her) is the assistant coach, hosted their first local double-header last weekend at Fuller Lake Arena. “It’s great exercise and it’s really about bonding too,” explained Corby. “And you get to be a really tough chick, and then come home and cook dinner for your kids.” The adult team, which consists of players from 18-years-old to 56, is growing all the time. “We’re always recruiting,” said Corby, who noted members have been using Facebook to promote the fad sport which is recently reemerging from its heyday in the 1970s.
The Candy Crushers, which is now not only a girls team, but co-ed, boasts members from all over the valley, including Duncan, Crofton, Youbou and Ladysmith. Corby’s daughter, Lexi, whose derby alter ego is Goldie Lex, is captain of the Crushers consisting of players ranging from 12 to 18. “For the younger players, it’s a full-contact sport and it’s very physical. But there’s also a style to it as well,” explained Corby, noting junior athletes follow a different set of rules when it comes to physicality, and mostly see aggression only in blocking.
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“What’s cool for them is they get to be a different person. They have their derby name and they can play out their personas,” she said. “There’s a lot of falling. They get back up very quickly and they’re very fast. “They have much more endurance and they bounce up pretty quick,” she added, in comparison to adult members. What appeals to the younger recruits is team bonding. “It’s definitely all about team work,” she said. “It’s about working together.” Unlike most sports, roller derby doesn’t involve a ball to put into play. Instead, it more closely resembles a race where one skater, called the jammer, fights to get through a pack of opponents. more on page 4
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