The
local team is hitting its stride as roller derby experiences
a national resurgence, thanks in part to the A&E TV
series "Rollergirls," which chronicles a raucous Texas
roller derby team. In addition to Dayton, similar organizations
have elbowed their way into Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland.
A roller-skater since childhood, Clark learned
that Chicago was getting a flat-track derby league -- the
Windy City Rollers -- just as she was leaving town.
"I really thought I was missing out," Clark
said.
She decided to bring the derby to Dayton.
Clark -- who skates under the nom de guerre of Helen of
DesTroy -- posted ads on several Internet sites looking
for women willing to don skates and mix it up on the rink.
The initial response -- five people.
"In the beginning, it was very discouraging," Clark
said. "I was working my tail off to recruit women, and
they weren't interested."
Enter Candi French, who'd moved to Centerville
from Texas, where she'd been associated with a league.
They redoubled their efforts and with the help of another
founding player, Andrea Moore, who isn't active with the
team, grew the roster into the double digits.
In January, the league had its first meetings
and the following month began practices.
The exhibition's purpose is to introduce
the players to the public. The teams, the Aces of Spades
and the Queens of Bloody Hearts, will square off in three
20-minute bouts. Next year, plans call for the league to
split into three or four teams.
Though a sport, the new venture also is a
business, one with expenses.
Staging a bout costs about $5,000 when you
add in insurance, hall rentals and other costs. Renting
practice space costs $800 per month. And then there are
other expenses -- uniforms, equipment and merchandise.
To cover the overhead, the league had to
secure sponsors to help cover operating expenses. Pabst
Blue Ribbon and Glenn
Scott Tattoos are two of the team's primary sponsors.
But other companies have provided everything from jerseys
to printed handbills and other promotional materials.
Players still cough up membership dues and
buy their equipment. They supply their own health insurance,
too.
And, when you're going head to head with
Poison Pixie, Pammy Whammy, Jackhammer Jean and Killian
Destroy, is it any wonder you need insurance? |
