Following on from the success of their first bout, the Kent Roller Girls are getting ready for their next home bout.
Set to take place on Saturday 20th April at the Bay Sport Arena in Herne Bay, their second home bout, The Grand Smashnal has an equine theme and given that the Invicta horse is part of the KRG logo, they are hoping to gallop to victory.
The bout is a double header with the KRG B Team taking on the Eastbourne Bourne Bombshells & the KRG A Team playing against Severn Roller Torrent from Gloucester.
If you don’t know anything about Roller Derby then this is your opportunity to discover this fast pace, rapidly growing extreme Sport.
So what is Roller Derby?
Well, 2 teams on old-style quad skates race around an oval track trying to get their Jammer – the point scorer with a star on their helmet – past as many opposing team players as possible. Sounds simple? That’s until you throw into the mix that the opposition can block you with shoulders and hips to make way for their team-mates.
Derby started out in the USA in the 30’s but by the 1970’s it had become something of a “show sport” with staged fights akin to the early days of the World Wrestling Federation and interest quickly waned.
In the past ten years however, it has been reinvented and has seen a global resurgence (with around a 100 leagues in the UK ) but this time as an athletic sport for women with competitive edge. Fairly unknown to the public, Roller Derby has recently started to attract national coverage.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-
“It’s a great sport which requires a combination of speed, strength and strategy to be successful. Once you start watching or playing it’s pretty addictive” said Serena Gilbert, 35, a Hospital Manager from Medway.
“I’ve gone from holding on to the wall a year ago to gain balance on my skates to trying to knock others over!”
The Grand Smashnal – Sat 20th April – The Bay Sport Arena – Herne Bay
At the bout, you can expect full on Sport Entertainment. There will also be stalls, a raffle with great prizes, announcers to explain and describe the games and great music. Tickets are £8 in advance from:
http://www.brownpapertickets.
or £10 on the door (£4 for under 12). Doors open at 1pm. First bout starts at 2pm.
A bit of history
The Kent Roller Girls started out in July 2010. The first few years were challenging. Promoting an unknown sport, finding suitable venues in Kent for people to get to while also building a competitive team.
Fast forward to September 2012 and the Kent Roller Girls successfully organised their first home bout (which they won!). There are now around 40 active members in the league, which is set up and run entirely by the skaters.
They organise bouts, arrange fundraisers and deliver induction programmes for new skaters. They are currently running their 3rd induction programme and there’s already a waiting list for the autumn one. For more information on the newbies programmes contact: recruitment@kentrollergirls.
Check out the website www.kentrollergirls.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Kent-