Rivals ready to rumble
ROLLER SKATING: Trans-Tasman rivalry rolls on to the Gold Coast this weekend with the resurrection of one of TV’s old favourite, the roller derby.
It’s skating on boards, highspeed action with 16 female teams from New Zealand and Australia to take to the indoor stadium at Carrara for the Royal Rumble Tournament on Sunday and Monday.
The derbys have been staged elsewhere in Australia in the past but this is a first for the Gold Coast, according to tournament organiser and player Rosie Richards.
“Queensland is a real epicentre of Australian Roller Derby and we are really looking forward to creating an event that will bring some of the best skaters in Australia and New Zealand to this area,” Richards said.
Those more senior members of the community will recall the made-for-TV
Roller Derby series from the US where players such as Ralphie Valladares became household names via the flat screen.
A total of 16 teams are entered for the holiday weekend with two divisions of eight to go for the title under a knockout format.
There are 14 members of each team but only five on the circular racetrack at any one time. “The idea is to get the designated jammer past as many opposition team members as possible in each period,” Richards said.
“Each opponent passed means a point for the team.”
Richards said the best way to explain the jammer is to relate to a fullback in rugby league where he has to get through the opposition defence.
Richards plays for the Paradise City All Stars who go into the event as favourites on the back of a win in Sydney last weekend.
Play on Sunday and Monday starts at 8.30am and goes through until 10pm.