An Old-Time Women's Sport Comes Alive in Newark
Kendall Alvarez Eskew
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: News
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The Garden State Rollergirls are a throwback to a much older time, when professional roller derby leagues featuring aggressive women could be found all across the country. The sport took a downturn after a while, but has had a recent resurgence, thanks in part to the 2005 A&E series “Rollergirls.”
“Roller derby had its modern revival around 2001, so by 2005 there were already a smattering of roller derby leagues across the country,” explains an NJIT alumnus that plays for the Jersey City Bridge and Pummel under the moniker Punchy Brewster. “When ‘Rollergirls’ hit the air, that was the first time many people saw modern roller derby and its ‘punk rock attitude,’ and it had a lot of girls saying, ‘I want to do this!’”
Nicknames like Punchy Brewster’s, who sports the number “7-11,” are a big part of the roller derby culture, which often includes flashy costumes and intimidating props. Though the Garden State Rollergirls are one of the less flashy leagues, it still has players with names like Bone Saw, who plays for the Northern Nightmares.
The intimidating names are not out of place, as roller derby can be a very aggressive sport. “I’ve seen separated shoulders. During practice I saw two girls break their ankles in half, and it took a year of rehab,” explains Brewster, who also adds that the sport is not just about aggression. “On top of basic skating ability, a girl will need to work on her agility, speed, ability to give and take a hit, as well as understand game strategy.”
It’s not all hard work and broken bones, though. “For players, it gives women a chance to adopt a new persona for the rink and have a life that’s radically different than the one they lead by day,” says Brewster. “It's also a great way to take out some aggression and a fun way to exercise.”
Fans have a blast at the games too. With skaters throwing out candy to the crowd, a band providing a thumping soundtrack, and an afterparty in the Ironbound, there is plenty for fans to do when not watching “jams” – the name for each round of roller derby.
The Garden State Rollergirls were founded in 2006 and is still a small league sporting only two teams, but has enjoyed a lot of attention and fan support. A shuttle was even set up from Jersey City to the Branch Brook Park Roller Rink for last Friday’s inaugural bout.
The league has yet to reach the level where it can compete in regional and national championships, but the Garden State Rollergirls All-Star Team did square off against the Jersey Dirty Dames of New Brunswick in last year’s Jersey Cup.
The all-star team also plays several matches each year against teams from other leagues in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York.
The demands are tough, but the Garden State Rollergirls is working hard to recruit players, referees, and fans. Players must pay dues, attend multiple practices per week, have health insurance, and be willing to get rough in games.
But Brewster says it’s worth it. “Anyone could join a recreational league, but it's awesome to be able to skate in public and have hundreds of people cheering for your team,” she says. She adds that anyone can become a rollergirl, with some dedication.
“If anyone, male or female, wants to be involved but doesn't meet all of the requirements above, refereeing might be an option for them,” says Brewster on ways to join. She also adds that after graduation is a great time to join. “It didn't take me very long to figure out that ‘grown up life’ after college is very, very boring.”
For more information, visit http://www.gardenstaterollergirls.com. The league holds tryouts in June, and questions about tryouts should be sent to gardenstaterollergirls@gmail.com.
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