ROLLER DERBY
By Melissa hardee
Roll into “The Edge” with Roller Derby but be sure to leave your stereotypes of the women of this sport at the gate. As a newbie to this sport (as a fan), I had a certain image/ perception about roller derby girls. Let me be the first to tell you that all of those thoughts got tossed right out of the window after meeting them; in particular the Gainesville Roller Rebels, in person. You are about to be “knocked off your feet”, so to speak by this sport and the magnitude of the women that put themselves; heart, mind, soul and body at the mercy and excitement of this thing called Roller Derby. Roller derby has been around for more than 80 years and has seen its ups and downs. With this many rounds around the “track of time” it has revolved and evolved in, around and with the times. It was invented by a man named Leo Seltzer in 1935 during the depression era as more of a marathon competition and an attraction that was low budget and low cost to see and attend. It could last for weeks or months and during a time when food, shelter and work were so hard to come by, this really was a lifesaver for many individuals as well as providing weary minds some enjoyment and off of the sadness that plagued this time period. Only two years after its inception, roller derby was given a new set of wheels. Gone was the marathon style competition and in its place the beginning of a team sport. From this point on the sport would never be the same; it would become bigger, better and “badder” than anyone could have imagined. It was excitedly proclaimed that this was the first sport ever in which women were given and playing by the same rules as men. The 40’s and 50’s saw roller derby on TV for the first time and was viewed as fashionable. The 60’s and early 70’s brought about a new set of rules; the incorporation of football-like moves to the rink. The mid 70’s until the late 80’s didn’t see roller derby, not televised that is. However, there were teams that still played and took it upon themselves to make sure the sport continued. In the 90’s this sport began its televised comeback and but was viewed as, wrestling on skates instead of a team sport that showcased the speed, agility, strategy, athleticism and most importantly the team work of these women. In 2001 roller derby, specifically flat track derby began and has continued its “full speed ahead” attitude. In 2004 the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) was started with the purpose and goal of exposing roller derby for what it really is; A SPORT. 18
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