What is Perth Roller Derby?
The Perth Roller Derby league (PRD) formed in July 2008 when a group of inspired women met each other at a screening of the documentary Hell On Wheels. PRD is a not-for-profit association run by the skaters, for the skaters, dedicated to organising and promoting the sport of Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby in the greater Perth area.
Our members are women currently ranging in age from 18 to 40, residing across the city from Kallaroo to Kelmscott to Secret Harbour, who are employed as scientists, teachers, body piercers, journalists, nurses, illustrators, IT professionals, mums, tertiary students, community volunteers and many other wonderful things. Very few had a background in roller sports before their introduction to Derby.
Photography by Matthew Poon
What is Roller Derby?
Roller Derby is a contact sport played on quad rollerskates around a flat, oval track. It was invented in the 1930s in the United States and enjoyed substantial worldwide popularity - both live and televised - in the 1960s and 70s. The game evolved from formation speed skating and involves two teams of five women skating around a tight oval track.
Each team consists of three Blockers (forming the ‘pack’,) one Pivot (starts at the front of the pack) and one Jammer (starts behind the pack). The Jammers from each team try to weave through the pack while the pack tries to stop their opposition's Jammer from passing. The Jammer scores points for her team by passing opposing players, the pivot leads her team's pack and the blockers use their "booty" to stop opposing players - especially the Jammer - from getting past.
Each role has differing requirements, so all shapes and sizes can join in the fun, as long as you can keep up with the pack. Derby skaters - or "rollergirls" - are serious athletes who train two or more times a week and wear full protective gear including knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet and mouthguard.
Since 2003, Roller Derby has been revived across the globe as an all-women, grassroots sport with a distinct feminist edge. There are now more than ten Roller Derby leagues operating in Australia across six states and territories.
Photography by Matthew Poon
Photography by Matthew Poon
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