Manchester Packs Gym for Roller Derby Skills Exhibition
Many people came out Saturday afternoon to see the skaters from the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes demonstrate skills and talk about roller derby. The event, sponsored by the Manchester Ladies Society, packed the bleachers in the Ackerson Gym.
"Susan B. Slamthony" who does public relations for the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes acted as M.C. She first explained "derby names" which are frequently plays on skater's own names, famous people's names or common phrases, as she introduced the women who had driven from all over to voluntarily participate just for the love of roller derby! She described the rebirth of roller derby into a serious sport about a decade ago and the significance of Ann Arbor's league being a skater run and coached non-profit.
Spectators learned that before being able to skate on a team, women must participate in an 18-week long bootcamp. Susan explained that it was like learning to play football, basketball and hockey all at the same time...on skates. Half the women present didn't know how to roller skate before starting bootcamp and that it wasn't until the 9th week that they were allowed to try "hitting" another player.
The Derby Dimes circled the Ackerson Gym at high speeds demonstrating falls, stops, backward skating, leans, hits, legal and illegal moves. After explaining basic scoring, the group played a number of jams---short match ups in which both teams designated a jammer who scored points by lapping members of the opposing team.
The derby girls present ranged in age from early 20's into late 50's. They have varied careers ranging from full-time nanny to nurse to teacher to U of M professor. Susan mentioned that the league has 3 doctors who skate. Their physical fitness levels coming into roller derby ranged drastically as well. Some have tattoos, some don't. The message was that there is no one type of woman who does roller derby!
After the exhibition, the Derby Dimes signed autographs, answered questions and posed for photos. They even stood for a group photo with some of the kids who had stayed behind for autographs!
If you missed the exhibition (or loved it and want to see more) you can see the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes compete in a full bout on July 18 in Buhr Park, the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes Arbor Bruising Co. vs Lansing Derby Vixens Capitol Corruption and the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes Ypsilanti Vigilantes vs Lansing Derby Vixens Old Town Beat Down in a double header. There will be music at halftime and tasty concessions from Ray's Red Hots, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, and Go! Ice Cream. Doors open at 5pm and the first bout begins at 5:30pm. Tickets are $12/adult pre-sale ($15 at the door). Kids under 12 FREE.
Ann Arbor Derby Dimes is a skater-run league of dedicated women committed to excellence in sportsmanship, fostering the sport of roller derby, facilitating goodwill and fellowship, and inspiring personal growth and development of all roller derby skaters in southeast Michigan. Visit their website for more information.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login