Sheffield Steel Roller Derby are hosting a new skater intake on the 7 May. But what is a roller derby?
Roller derby is a two team sport with 15 members on either side. It’s a 60 minute game played in two halves, consisting of 2 minute timed “jams”.
The game is played on an oval velodrome-like track where the players have to skate round in laps.
What do the players do?
In these jams, five players on each team take to the track, one player wears a star helmet called “the jammer”. The jammer gains a point for their team each time they lap an opposing player.
Each team has four blockers and their aim is for the other players to block the opposition’s jammer. At the same time the blockers are there to help their own jammer get round the course.
Blockers are able to form walls, use their shoulders and hips to push, barge and lever their opponents out the way.
Where did it start?
The sport originated in Chicago in the 1930’s started by Leo Seltzer. It gained major popularity around the 1940’s with people watching in 50 different cities across the US.
The game is now played by over 2,000 leagues around the world and in 2009, the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association was formed as the international governing body.
Where can you get involved?
Sheffield Steel Roller Derby, a volunteer-led group, are the local team that run sessions at Skate Central where anyone can get involved.
Why should you get involved?
Sheffield Street Roller Derby said: “It’s an inclusive sport that encourages folks from all backgrounds to try something new and requires no prior experience and we teach you how to play from the ground up.
“It’s great for both physical and mental health as full contact sport is a great stress reliever.”
A player and coach of the team who goes by the derby name RosenSplatz said: “It’s been a great motivator for exercise in general for me. The team is really welcoming, and I’ve made lifelong friends.”