Sports

Roller Derby Makes a Comeback With Teen Girls

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When she looks out across a banked wooden track where a couple dozen girls in crash helmets and roller skates are pushing, shoving, slipping and falling, Rebecca Ninburg sees a lot more than just kids having a raucous good time.

“That’s the future right there. That’s the next generation,” says Ninburg, better known in the roller derby world as Demolicious, co-founder of the Los Angeles Derby Dolls skating league.

As if to make her point, 8-year-old Little RegulateHer, one of the stars of the Junior Derby Dolls, bursts out of the pack and, in a scene worthy of the film “Whip It,” goes on to lap every other skater on the track.

Roller Derby Makes a Comeback With Teen Girls

After jamming her way past her much bigger opponents for five quick points (”I‘m little so they don’t see me coming,” she explains later), the 4-foot-6-inch whirlwind stumbles, takes a hard face-first fall, gets back up and goes around again.

Roller derby, once a comical exhibition dismissed by athletic purists as not much more than pro wrestling on skates, has made another comeback. Only this time it’s a legitimate, female-empowering sport for little girls, and there’s nothing fake about the blocking and bumping. Or the pushing, shoving and occasional clobbering. As well as the bumps and bruises that go with it.

“I once broke my finger, and I get lots of bruises and twisted ankles,” says 11-year-old Amber Sniderman, who skates under the name Bamber. Her mother, Killo Kitty (aka Staci Sniderman), coaches the Junior Derby Dolls.

Despite its rough and tumble nature, roller derby, invented in Chicago in 1935, has become one of the country’s fastest growing female sports over the past decade.

Roller Derby Makes a Comeback With Teen Girls

It’s a natural evolution, says UCLA sociologist David Halle, who has studied the impact of sports on culture. For years, Halle noted, there was no full contact sport like tackle football for women or girls, in large part because society frowned on the idea of females smacking each other around if the smacking wasn’t fake.

“Now those things are no longer frowned upon,” Halle said. “All the old ideological battles have been fought and won. So now roller derby can come back as a sport in which girls can get together in a very vigorous activity, just as boys always have.”

When Ninburg and Wendy Templeton (whose skate name is Thora Zeen) founded the Derby Dolls in 2003 there were only three organized leagues in the country. Now there are approximately 650, according to Derbynews.com, which tracks the sport. Many of them, like the Derby Dolls, also have programs for girls 18 and younger.

Meanwhile, the Derby Dolls, one of the country’s most successful banked-track leagues, have transformed an old warehouse on the edge of downtown Los Angeles into the Doll Factory, a 1,700-seat arena they pack to capacity with loud, devoted fans who show up to see teams from Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Nevada and elsewhere take on the Dolls.

The rules are essentially the same as when promoter Leo Seltzer invented the sport: Five skaters to a team, one jammer and four blockers, and the jammer must fight her way out of the pack and lap the others within 60 seconds to score.

But no fake fights, no bashing someone over the head with a folding chair or tossing them over the rail. Not even an elbow to the face. Even a shove from behind can result in time in the penalty box.

For the most part the grown-ups follow the rules. But when the juniors take to the track the penalties begin to pile up, particularly among younger skaters who are encouraged to block but not hit. It‘s nuance that’s sometimes ignored.

“What I like most about it is you get to hit people,” laughs Little RegulateHer, echoing a common feeling among junior skaters.

Roller Derby Makes a Comeback With Teen Girls

Not that that’s the only attraction. The girls also put a feminine stamp on the slam-bang activity, wearing uniforms that include, along with the team jersey, miniskirts, fishnet stockings and other colorful accoutrements.

Then there are the names. Derbynews.com keeps a registry to ensure that, like members of an actors union, no two skaters have exactly the same one.

“It’s kind of like naming your child,” says 13-year-old Quinn Shepherd, who skates for the Chicago Riots under the name CupQuake, a moniker it took her months to settle on. “You want it to say you specifically, who you are, how you skate.”

It also reflects the different kind of athlete roller derby seems to attract.

“‘I liked running and tag, but organized sports were always boring to me,” said 13-year-old Izzy Hannigan who, as Brook N. Harts, also skates for the Chicago Riots. “The one sport that I did like was ice skating.”

That wasn’t cool among her friends in Chicago, however. Not the way roller derby was. Especially after “Whip It” hit theaters two years ago. The film, starring Ellen Page as a roller derby rookie, was written by Shauna Cross, a former Derby Doll who skated under the name Maggie Mayhem.

“I thought, “Wow, I could be cool for once,” Harts said.

Cleobattra , aka 16-year-old Mia Osinski of Los Angeles, wasn’t looking for cool. She just didn’t care for sports, period. Until a friend dragged the dancer to a roller derby match. Now she’s one of the biggest, strongest and most feminine members of her team.

“I was like, ‘Oh no, I would never do that,” she recalled, shaking her waist-length brown hair out of her helmet and pulling her colorful, mismatched sports socks off of her black fishnets after a recent practice.

“Now I’ve been planning what colleges to choose to apply to,” she added with a sheepish smile, “And I‘ve been making sure they’re close to roller derby leagues.”

Comments (79)

1 2
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:48am

    Given enough time this could lead to women as being the new warrior class in this nation replacing the void that men have been cowed away from in this once great and tough ass nation. Too bad we will not get to see it. This is just another silly escapist trick to entertain the masses for a little while longer. Don’t be fooled by it, it will serve no useful purpose in society at large but it may prepare these young girls for harder times to come when THEY will have to pick up a gun and defend this country….boys take note and get off the video games.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • concealled9mms
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:47am

    wow having fun and exercise all american, enjoy it girls before some wacky liberal wants to outlaw it

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:19am

    I used to watch the derby on Saturday nights right after wrestling and right before the national anthem played.
    Used to daydream about getting buried under a pile of sweaty blonde amazons.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:41am

    At least doing this they aren’t out engaging in behavior that might “punish them with a baby”.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • Dr. Pepper
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:38am

    NIce sport…I hope it makes a BIG comeback. It is better than watching a bunch of tatooed goons chase a watermelon.

    Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:01am

    Just another venue for voyeurs.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:29am

      kind of like football or any sport…… they are called fans

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • NEAF
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:22am

    Californication. Now what all they need is back stage parties drugs and alcohol. Don’t get me wrong I believe in sports. Anything good from California? Beside Google, Microsoft, etc?

    Report Post » NEAF  
  • Endstatism
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:22am

    Its a good was to get some exercise and get them away from the electronics and vegging out

    Report Post » Endstatism  
  • NEAF
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:18am

    My goodness all that violence! Please stop it, before is too late.

    Report Post » NEAF  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:16am

    This is a fun sport and I like to watch it…..I have seen roller derby before, but with women, not teens….

    Report Post »  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:14am

    This is a great way for these girls to spend their extra time. Keep on skating. :)

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • headbtweenlegs
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:04am

    Slow news weekend…BFD

    Report Post » headbtweenlegs  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:57am

    Next they won’t be shaving their pits, they will be rude and arrogant, selfish and conceded. I think I am in France.

    Report Post »  
  • Liberty7
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:56am

    I say, “Go Girls!” When I was a kid I loved watching all those big, ***** women going around the track knocking the heck out of each other and I think it is great to see the sport making a comeback of sorts. And, with the way television is going these days, I expect to see a roller derby reality based show any day now.

    Report Post »  
  • okiedokey
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:55am

    You go girls…..I rather them show off their fish nets in the ring than taking photos of their asses and plastering them all over the e-net….

    Report Post »  
  • LikesToFightGuy
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:52am

    Very nice…i dig anything that gets people off there couch to get a lil fun/excercise…now WHIP IT

    Report Post » LikesToFightGuy  
  • Mstr Smith
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:52am

    Gonna tell you a story that you won’t believe
    But I fell in love last Friday evenin’
    With a girl I saw on a bar room TV screen

    Well, I was just gettin’ ready to get my hat
    When she caught my eye and I put it back
    And I ordered myself couple o’ more shots and beers

    The night that I fell in love with a Roller Derby Queen
    Around and round, oh, round and round
    The meanest hunk o’ woman that anybody ever seen
    Down in the arena

    She was five foot six and two fifteen
    A bleached-blonde mama with a streak of mean
    She knew how to knuckle and she knew how to scuffle and fight

    And the roller derby program said
    That she was built like a ‘fridgerator with a head
    Her fans call her “Tuffy” but all her buddies called her “Spike”

    You know that I fell in love with a Roller Derby Queen
    Around and round, oh, round and round
    The meanest hunk o’ woman that anybody ever seen
    Down in the arena

    Round and round, go round and round
    Round and round, go round and round
    Round and round

    Well, I could not help it but to fall in love
    With this heavy-duty woman I been speakin’ of
    Things looked kind of bad until the day she skated into my life

    Well, she might be nasty, she might be fat
    But I never met a person who would tell her that
    She’s my big blonde bomber, my heavy handed Hackensack mama

    And I fell in love with a Roller Derby Queen
    Around and round, oh round and round
    The meanest hunk o’ woman that anybody ever seen
    Down in the arena

    Round a

    Report Post »  
  • highcarry
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:50am

    well at least maybe it will get it out of denny’s.

    Report Post » highcarry  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:49am

    Bring back the Hula Hoop!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • 9thCommandment
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:44am

    OK great exercise ect…but do they actually have to wear short shorts & fishnets? A kid still should be a kid.

    Report Post »  
    • KENTUCKYREDBONE
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 1:08pm

      Agreed! If I had a Daughter I wouldn’t want her dressing like that! The exercise could be good for them but especially young girls need more cloths on than that! I have 2 Sons that are in Judo and one of the good things about that is its usually practiced fully clothed. Especially if everybody’s wearing thier GI!

      Report Post » KENTUCKYREDBONE  
    • Tankshu
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 2:03pm

      I agree. Why are these little girls wearing fish net stockings? I question the ethics of the photographer and the editor who published this particular picture among the many that must have been taken.

      Report Post » Tankshu  
  • Crane Guy
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:44am

    The “culture” is changing. Not that I agree with the change. I still like Norman Rockwell.
    However, I wonder how these girls and women feel about “sharia law”. Somehow I don’t think they would agree. LOL That’s a plus for America. In that case I say keep on whipping !

    Report Post » Crane Guy  
    • teachermitch32
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:33am

      If a moosie guy tried to keep these girls under thumb, or stick, or hose, or knife, they would kick his arse back to moosie land.

      Report Post »  
  • travlman77
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:43am

    Is it just me, or do these girls appear toothless in the photo?

    Report Post » travlman77  
    • LikesToFightGuy
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:53am

      mouth guards ?

      Report Post » LikesToFightGuy  
    • swampbuck
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:04am

      Yep… Mouth guards

      Report Post » swampbuck  
    • stone2016
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:49am

      Toothless. Because only backward, inbred rednecks who haven’t heard of that there thingy mabob tooth cleaner or a people tooth doc, would participate in such a violent sport. Sounds like something Sarah Palin would support, because she’s so stupid.

      Report Post »  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:50am

      @Stone
      Don’t be jealous, just becuth the lepft can‘t find a tupp guy or grll in there wanks don’t mean they don‘t pillow fight silly while wearing pink tutu’s , well at leasp the mens wear them tutus!

      Report Post »  
  • ShyMan
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:39am

    I bet it’s hard to text while slamming into another 13 year old while wearing fishnet stockings.

    Report Post » ShyMan  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:19am

    “It’s a natural evolution, says UCLA sociologist David Halle…”

    Kind of like gadiators killing in the ring. The next sporting evolutionary step.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:47am

      Guess that will be making a comeback (the Gladiators)…after all, it looks like the football season is going to be a non event for the year last I have heard. In the case of the Gladiator games, will those chosen be the losers in the various national elections of ‘12?

      The left of course will claim it as ‘just punishment’ for those daring to challenge their ‘self annointed one’…especially the leftists and progressives who will lose.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • stone2016
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:43am

      Really. Teenage girls shoving each other on skates…then men killing each other in a ring while thousands cheer on death. Sounds like a natural evolution (do I need to state this is sarcasm?). Same lame comparison people make with football and gladiators. One tiny little difference. One attempts to avoid death AND long term injury, even making fundamental changes to do so, while the other has as it’s only goal, death. Great comparison. You may not like the violence, but don’t pretend that the final goal of derby, football, rugby, etc. is to have all competitors walk away better than when they entered.

      Report Post »  
    • PrfctlyFrank
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:25am

      Gladiators?? YES!!!!

      Report Post » PrfctlyFrank  
  • Creestof
    Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:13am

    Looks like great fun.

    Report Post »  
    • Marengo Ohio Patriot
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:15am

      Sure beats selling crack on a street corner or pushing out a baby at 15.

      Report Post »  
    • mwhaley
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:35am

      Maybe, just maybe, Our POTUS has finally found a sport me might be good at. After all he does wear mama jeans, throws like a girl and uses the woman’s golf tee off. He could just beat these girls. I’m just saying.

      Report Post »  
    • APatriotFirst
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:29am

      i remember when it was televised on TV. Was fun watching but too much fake in it. Keep this un-faked.

      Report Post »  
    • JoeAmerica
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:04am

      @MARENGO – Sure beats hanging with the alchoholic parents who complain how the boggie man is taking away their rights. It’s called revolution.. what goes around comes around. What’s popular now will go out of style and then come back.

      Report Post » JoeAmerica  
    • JoeAmerica
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:05am

      @MARENGO – Oh, and it sure beats pushing out a baby at 15 with your sister ; )

      Report Post » JoeAmerica  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:44am

      toothless, sweat hogs, you go girl. “Not even if girls were Naked would I watch that”. future Union members. other than to win, whats the object of this exercise?. “Take‘um out and put’um on?? the brass ones this time, not the fuz balls.

      Report Post »  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:45am

      @Joe
      Have you ever heard the line “ age and treachery will always overcome youth and vigor”?
      You digress, perhaps just a passing fancy on your part, at least if you plan on posting here I hope it is. There was no viel behind the implication of my statement to you, stop with the nasty ad hominem attacks, not cool.

      On topic now, just another example of Girls wanting to have fun OR the moral decay of society, take your pick.

      Report Post »  
    • barak hussein osama arafat
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 12:48pm

      it only is appealing with the T & A of rolling skanks.

      Report Post » Iman Barak Hussein  
    • Rightsofman
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 3:35pm

      Good. Todays young girls really need an outlet for their pent-up hostilities. The most pampered generation of young ladies in the history of the world needs a serious diversion from joining gangs, beating people up, cyber bullying their weak and helpless sisters, getting pregnant and that stuff.

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 3:40pm

      ……
      I got it!
      A gub’ment program for midnight roller derby
      for all those black girls busting up, Wendy’s, Mcdonnalds, and gas stations.

      That’ll solve all our problems without accusing anyone of acting like animals.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • booger71
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 6:18pm

      But they also banned dodge ball, go figure

      Report Post » booger71  
    • JoeAmerica
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:07pm

      @SECRET SQUIRREL

      – Aparently you haven’t seen all those soroity hazing videos, and all the videos of white girls beating the living snot out of each other. I live in a manily white suburb and have seen countless girls fighting. Its a shame the hate in you has made you so blind.

      Report Post » JoeAmerica  
    • texasfarmer
      Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:09pm

      Hey Joe. Sorry they banned DDT.

      Report Post » texasfarmer  
    • No1YaKnow
      Posted on May 31, 2011 at 2:43am

      Yes, let’s encourage cat fights on wheels.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on May 31, 2011 at 9:45am

      .
      @JoeAmerica:

      Hazing is voluntary.
      Getting the crap beat out of you by a stranger is not.
      If you can’t tell the difference, you must be an Obama voter.
      “Oh look, isn’t that a Unicorn?”

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
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