Roller Girls Rumble at Bristol's Skate Inn

BRISTOL, Va. – Sunday’s bout at the Skate Inn featured many of the traditional components fans come to expect from athletic events. On the other hand, it was probably unlike anything the city of Bristol had ever seen.

Thanks to a double booking at their original venue, the Little City Roller Girls, an all-women’s flat-track roller derby team, made their first foray into Bristol on Sunday, defeating the Bruisin’ Burgs of Christiansburg, Va., for their fourth straight win of the season.

Like any high school football game, there were announcers. But these announcers screamed things like, “Although it was cool, it wasn’t exactly legal. But it was awesome,” after a player went limp because of a vicious hit.

There were uniforms, at least a sharing of basic colors, but the derby players’ ensembles were usually a combination of the following items: ripped panty hose, fishnet stockings, tiny plaid skirts, tank tops, knee-high socks and, in one case, men’s briefs.

And there were referees, but these officials sported mohawks that had been glued to the top of their heads. There was court-side seating, but it was called “Suicide Seating,” and willing fans must endorse a waiver if they want to sit there. Players were introduced to accolades like: “May cause high blood pressure and trouble urinating.”

“We definitely have of creatives among us,” Erin Fenley, co-founder of the Roller Girls, said. “We’re serious athletes, but we all have an artistic flair.”

Based in Johnson City, Tenn., the Roller Girls were founded almost two years ago. The team practices at the Johnson City Family Skate Center and held its first bout in November 2008.

Under the direction of its founders, the Roller Girls have quickly added more games (Sunday’s was the team’s fourth of the year). The Roller Girls have built a strong Tri-Cities
following, and as many as 500 to 700 fans routinely turn up for their matches, which are usually held at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, Tenn.

“I’ve got my eye on two skaters, the redhead and the blonde,” Teresa Green, a fan from Kingsport, said. “The redhead sure can hit. And the blonde? She’s crazy.”

The roller derby is known for its violence and on skating Web sites gaping derby wounds are celebrated. True to form, many Roller Girls and Bruisin’ Burgs took nasty spills.

But, said Fenley in a 2008 interview, derby skaters know how to fall and not injure themselves. Nevertheless, paramedics Angel Smith and Michael Burton of the Bristol Life
Saving Group were on hand on Sunday in case something serious occurred.

“I used to live in California,” Smith said. “They had roller derby out there with the steep-banked sides where you could hit and pull hair. Oh, yes, this is much calmer.”

The Roller Girls even have their own minor leagues: the Little City Derby Brats, a collection of elementary school girls who lace it up in a four team bouting league.

“I really like to skate, but there are things I need to learn, like skating faster,” Derby Brat Marisa Oliver, 10, said, dismissing all but one injury. “One morning I woke up and my leg really hurt.”

Marisa’s mother, Christina Oliver, isn’t concerned about the violence, saying that the Derby Brats is a great source of exercise and team-building. “It’s a contact sport,” she said. “I don’t think it’s violent.”

Although most of those interviewed by the Bristol Herald Courier on Sunday were out-of-towners, there were a few Bristol residents who gave the Tri-Cities’ only roller derby team a closer look. And while the 204 patrons that attended made for the team’s smallest crowd yet, the Roller Girls may have perked the interest of some new recruits.

“It’s great, it’s fun, it’s cool,” Raven Tucker, a 17-year-old Tennessee High student, said. “I like to see people beat each other up. Yeah, I like to see blood.”

Unfortunately for Tucker, there was no blood on Sunday. But Fenley was happy with the team’s new presence in the Tri-Cities’ smallest corner.

“I feel pretty good about the turnout,” Fenley said. “We looked at warehouses [after the scheduling mishap] and passed out fliers and the city was really great about getting the word out. We just have a great team and this really brought us together.”

scampbell@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2543