Skate-away

June 30th, 2016

Roller derby players that skate together, stay together, according to parents from the fastest growing adult and junior roller derby club in the Adelaide Hills – the Rockabellas.

When Emily Schloithe formed the club two years ago, she had no idea how quickly the sport would grow.

“I think it's because we accept anybody and we don’t discriminate against size, weight, religion or sexual preference,” Emily said.

“We have a strict no bullying policy in place so that everyone can feel safe and happy,” she said.

Roller derby is a full contact team sport conducted on quad roller skates. The aim is to try and score points against the other team by designating a 'jammer' to lap members of the opposing team. The teams attempt to hinder the opposing jammer while also assisting their own jammer.

Emily said while roller derby is huge in America, it is still in the early stages here in South Australia.

“The Rockabellas is one of only two clubs in SA to cater for juniors,” Emily said.

“We had a lot of parents who were playing in our adult team who had children interested in taking up the sport so we formed the junior league in June 2015 – it's pretty unique.”

The Rockabellas Roller Derby League has grown from eight players to 60 in the past year, including 18 junior players.

Emily said roller derby creates more fitness options for children living in the Adelaide Hills who are not interested in taking part in other mainstream sports.

“You don't need to know how to skate – we teach that from the beginning,” Emily said.

“Our coaches teach all the skills you need to know to play roller derby, all you need to bring is quad roller skates and wear protective clothing.”

Rolling into the Rockabellas Roller Derby Junior League for the first time last year was Mount Barker resident Tegan Shaw.

Known as 'Toxic Tegan' on the rink, Tegan's mother Leanne said roller derby has helped her daughter to step out of her comfort zone.

“She had never been on skates before and has come so far in a year,” Leanne said.

“She's not much of a sporty person but absolutely loves roller derby!”

Leanne said the sport has a culture of being supportive and very team orientated.

“If anyone falls over, everyone encourages them to get back up again – it's a great atmosphere that is fun to be a part of,” Leanne said.

“I am even considering joining the adult team because they're such a great bunch of people.”

Leanne said she hasn't skated since she was a child but that it won't hold her back from giving it a shot.

“It will be nice to have something to share with my daughter,” she said.

Emily said investing in the junior team would have future benefits for the league.

“Our juniors will eventually become our seniors and will help to continue the quality of the sport in the Adelaide Hills,” she said.

The Rockabellas recently took a small team of junior players to Daylesford, Victoria to compete in the 2016 Junior Roller Derby Nationals.

Emily said it was a great experience for the girls and gave them an opportunity to meet players from all over the country while also improving their skills.

To find out more about joining the Rockabellas Roller Derby League, email Emily at rockabellas2014@gmail.com.

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