Somerset Derby Girls

For women who want to enjoy a bit of girl power Somerset Derby

1.  

   Somerset Derby Girls and coach Richard Anderson

 

Girls are training every Tuesday night at The Castle Sports

Centre in Taunton

Flat course roller derby is a full contact sport for 18+ 

and some describe as "a game for misfits" for all those who were never

picked for sport.

It doesn't matter how tall or short you are,petite or sturdy,tomboy

or girlie girl .. this appeals across the

board.

Drew Barrymore's film Whip It has led to a

revived interest in the sport which originated during the

depression of the 1930s in

America.

The Somerset Derby Girls were only formed in February 2010 by

coach Richard Anderson and their Tuesday training sessions start at 7pm

and run until 9pm and 10pm on alternate weeks. They have members from

Taunton, Yeovil

and Glastonbury and are welcoming more. It doesn't matter how fit you are

or if you have never been on roller skates,full training will be given

by Richard and visiting expert 'Vigour Mortise' who is a member of

London Roller Girls and has family in Taunton.

Training involves working on speed and controlled stopping, both

upright and on the knees,also blocking and weaving. Every girl must take

time trials working towards 25 laps in 5 minutes.

It is the adrenaline they love and Richard said although it is a

low impact exercise they can burn 900 calories

per hour . He said : "I regularly hear 'I haven't been on skates since I

was ten', it's always ten for some reason. It is a full contact sport

with rigid rules and there is not supposed to be any animosity.The idea

is to learn technique so you are not hurt but everyone does have to sign

a waiver and we recommend personal insurance.

There are about 26

regular skaters at the moment,when we compete there are only ever five

in a team on the track at one time ,but they are swapped around. We will

not be playing for a while, not even exhibition games, the first will

probably be Halloween which will fit well into the genre of the game.

"It is very much about girl power,most of the league is

completely girls operated,there is no conscious

effort to exclude guys,but I am the exception really."

Many of the girls like the quirkiness,the helmets,wrist and knee

pads combined with fishnets,Lycra,stripey

socks,day-glow purple and black and ra-

ra skirts.

One of the members said it was like having an alter ego, she

loves high heels and dresses, works in a bank and after a three hour

training session can't sleep for the adrenaline!

They all have different types of day jobs and different looks but

knee pads and roller skates are great levellers!

Their chosen charity is Ovarian Cancer Action and Cora Luscombe

is taking part in a roller marathon at Goodwood next weekend to

raise money for the team and for the charity.