My friend Gem has bruises on her arm and cuts on her ankles. She’s beaten up, and lovin’ it. She is in training to join a new ground-breaking team and sport in San Jose—the Silicon Valley Roller Girls (SVRG), the only all-female, flat track, contact sport played on quad roller skates. And for those of you who think this is just a hip, retro fad, please believe this sport is for real. The team is launching their first San Jose home game at the San Jose Skate, formerly known as the Aloha Skate, on August 30, 2008, called “Hot August Fights.” And from the way they train, looks like it’s going to be a high-speed, high-impact battle.
I first heard about the SVRG from one of their original members, the Lipstick Bandita. (All the team members have cool names like that.) It’s not that the sport consumed her, but when you see someone find their thing, it can be a powerful transformation to witness. A single mom who felt like drama was following her, she stumbled upon roller derby through a friend. Having been going strong in the sport for two years now, she says that, “Roller derby saved my soul.”
I’ve been involved and around sports my whole life, but hearing the Bandita and Gem talk about Roller-Derby is something different. They are literally architects of their league, and need to build and construct as much as they skate, hit, and play. The difference is when most people play sports, it is assumed that all the rules of governance are already established. But in the infancy of a sport, these athletes have to wrestle with all these issues, and know that they are laying down a foundation that must stand the test of time. Imagine being around at the beginning of basketball, football or baseball. It is a whole other level of participation in sport. They are coming with marketable slogans and have to decide on a mascot. One of the skaters has a derby-related clothing line with a shirt that reads, “D.R.E.A.M—Derby Rules Everything Around Me.” It’s not just about being Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the game; it’s about being James Naismith, a parent of the game.
The SVRG is skater owned and operated, and not to put too much on it, but it’s like they are creating their country. They have to determine issues like: What is a fair decision-making process? What is a fair governing body? What constitutes membership? How do members get disciplined? How do they grow, yet maintain integrity?
Like Bandita says, “There’s no Roller Derby Handbook, dude.”
I’ve seen Lipstick and Gem come through—and the excitement and energy they carry with them when they walk comes from the same drive that pushes them to be Roller Girls, moms, or whatever it is that they wanna be in life. Thanks for the story. More people should know about them because they deserve our cheers!
Anyone remember Ann Calvello, Marge Laslow and Joan Weston (The Blond Amazon) and the old Bay Bombers? Those ladies were as tough as any NFL lineman. The girls were more fun to watch than the boys…they played meaner.
Growing up in the Bay Area in the 1960’s it seemed like Roller Derby and Captain Satellite were the only shows on Channel 2.
Glad to see the sport make a comeback. For a fun flashback check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eIYOVrBu98
The footage of Weston starting at around 6:00 min. is pretty amazing.
Roller Derby was big in the 1960s, so I’m not sure it really qualifies as an infant sport.
You may be interested in watching the movie “Kansas City Bomber” (1972) starring Raquel Welch. You might find it addresses some of the same issues you mention.
Roller Derby did save my soul, bro!
I’ve witnessed it through many of my derby sisters this last year. I’ve reserached the great skaters of the 60’s and am still in awe. Since it’s about a 30+ yr. later comback and going strong through out the the glode, it may not be an infant sport. It’s still so underground & raw and that’s what makes it so exciting!
-D.R.E.A.M-
LIP$TIK BANDITA #2012 of the SVRG
Thanks raj! this is amazing! SVRG! It’s true, being a single mom myself derby has saved me 2. And this isn’t just a fad, it is a real sport! A Lifesyle……. I skate with my heart! Come and support! check us out http://www.svrollergirls.com
We skate and work hard on and off the track. Thank you for writing an article on our team, It’s so nice to get the recognition we all strive so hard for! We can’t wait to skate for you all at our first ever home bout on August 30th!
svrollergirls.com
Nice article! Good luck to SVRG at their first home bout!
It’s amazing to see how much Silicon Valley has embraced our team. I myself have only been with these woman since Jan 2008. Not ever knowing about this sport until I came across the end of a practice, from then on I was hooked! I joined the team the following week. For the last 8 months this team has really grown and I am honored to be apart of it! It is all for the love of the sport. Not only are these girls my teammates but they are my family! Thank you Silicon Valley for Supporting Us!!!
I love this article! Although we aren’t the ONLY flat-track all female league around, we definitely are in San Jose! Everyone come out and join us August 30th and get in on the bottom floor as this sport kicks into high gear!
Thanks for the great article. And while roller derby is not a “new” sport, it’s not your momma’s derby from the 70’s!
Can’t wait for all our friends and families to finally see SVRG skate @ home on the 30th.
Thanks you so much for a great article on the Silicon Valley Roller Girls. We appreciate your support and hope to see you on the rink August 30th!