Roller derby has long been remembered as a vintage pastime. However, much has changed in the sport’s recent revival. The once underground world of women’s roller derby has now found its way across the great state of Montana and has been welcomed with open arms under the Big Sky. With leagues formed in Billings, Missoula, Kalispell, Helena, Great Falls and now Bozeman, the sport has taken the Treasure State by storm and is only getting stronger. Having been around a little over one hundred years, classic derby started out as roller skating endurance races that toured around the country exhibition style. After the Great Depression, the teams were restructured to more than two people and a score system was set up. This early form of derby also instituted a set of rules and contact was introduced as the endurance aspect faded. By the 1960’s, roller derby was a form of entertainment, much like the World Wrestling Federation, incorporating theatrical plays and antics to gain viewers. Now, the predominately woman sport has shed the phony shenanigans (except for the costumes and unique names) of the past and has risen as a grassroots athletic game once again.

The game of roller derby is exciting and challenging, and if you have not seen a bout in action here are the rules in a nutshell. The bout takes place on a flat circuit track and each of the teams sends out five players to skate: One jammer, which is the scorer, and four blockers who are the team’s defense. Of the four blockers, one player is counted as a pivot, which is a blocker who can become the jammer later in the jam. Helmet covers are used to distinguish the jammers and pivots from the rest of the players. During the two-minute jam, the jammers from each team must try to skate their way through the pack of blockers and pivots ahead of them. After passing the pack once, jammers then try to earn points for their team by passing the opposing jammer and making her way through the pack. All the while the blockers in the pack are trying to help their team’s jammer through and trying to block the opposing team’s jammer from scoring. Teams use strategy much like basketball and football to make sure that their team scores points and wins the bout.

The sport is not for the weak of heart. It requires strength, endurance, speed and coordination and the ability to take a hit and a hard fall. Chances are that if you are or know a derby girl, they have stories of injuries and killer bruises that mark their bodies like badges of honor or sacrifices to the derby gods. These ladies are incredibly passionate about their sport and encourage women of all ages to give it a try while at the same time giving back to their community.
Having been inspired by the women of Montana roller derby personally, this writer has laced up her skates and taken to the whirling of wheels and sounds of knee pads hitting the ground not only because it is challenging but its just down right fun and yes maybe the idea of fishnets, skirts and bruises had a little something to do with it as well. If you would like more information about how you can get involved with your local roller derby team please visit www.wtfda.com or for more info on Bozeman roller derby visit gallatinrollergirlz.webs.com

Article and Photos by Mallory Messinger