BACCHUS Marsh’s Barb Whitehurst was looking to get her skates on and get back into team sport, so roller derby was a natural fit.
Known on the track as Bambam Ali, the personal trainer joined West Side Derby Dollz at the beginning of the year.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of a team sport and roller derby was definitely something I considered, but I was only aware of leagues that were too far away to travel to for training,” Whitehurst (pictured) says.
Roller derby is a full-contact sport played between two teams of five players, with a designated point-scorer trying to score by lapping the other team.
“I was a huge roller skater when I was younger,” Whitehurst says.
“Roller derby not only allows me to get my skates on again but I get to play a team sport with a fantastic bunch of people, learn awesome skills, make friends and, most of all, have fun.”
Comprising women from across the western suburbs, the Derby Dollz will this year compete in the inaugural Victoria-Tasmanian tournament, involving the top 16 teams from both states. They will also battle for the Ballarat Roller Derby League title.
Whitehurt says she chose roller derby because it was physically challenging, fast-paced and exciting. Although the sport can be rough, she doesn’t believe it’s dangerous.
“There are so many other contact sports that have similar levels of intensity and endurance but are much more rough.
“There are very strict rules in roller derby that are enforced for blocking areas and target zones on the track.”
Players are trained and then tested in endurance, fitness, skills, ability and knowledge before they can play, reducing the possibility of injury. More details: westsidederbydollz.org.au
