Still rowdy after all these years- roller derby's back!

Still rowdy after all these years — roller derby's back!
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
The Jersey Shore Roller Girls league in Asbury Park is entering the home stretch of their season, which has seen attendance grow at bouts featuring the three league teams.

Top: Murder Beach Militia and Anchor Assassins skaters wait for the start of a jam session during a Jersey Shore Roller Girls bout at Convention Hall in Asbury Park on Aug. 22. Above: Anchor Assassins jammer Christine "Joy Kill Her" Hodan, Freehold, keeps skating as Murder Beach Militia's Clare "Black Eye Betty" Smith, Toms River, tumbles.
The four-team league held a bout between the Murder Beach Militia and Anchor Assassins on Aug. 22 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park. Murder Beach Militia won the bout 105- 102. "It was neck and neck through both periods," player Catherine Galioto said, "with Murder Beach Militia winning by three points."

The league was formed in 2007 and currently has three intra-league teams, as well as an all-star team that competes with other teams from around the country.

The league's website touts the success of the league thus far.

"The newest all-women, flat-track roller derby league that has taken New Jersey by storm … the Jersey Shore Roller Girls is now more than 70 women strong and still growing."

According to the website, the league's popularity is growing exponentially.

"The community response to our league has been overwhelming, and we had the Convention Hall packed to the point where we had to turn people away due to fire codes," it says.

The site also explains some of the differences between roller derby now and the popular version of the sport from the '60s and '70s.

"The roller derby of today is a revamped, flat-track version of the old-school sport that many of us remember from years ago. Jersey Shore Roller Girls follows the rules and regulations put in place by the Women's Flat Track DerbyAssociation."

Each team has five players who form a pack that circles around the track, with two pivots at the front of the pack to set the pace. To score, each team's jammer attempts to reach the front of the pack, while three blockers on the opposing team try to prevent the move.

Each roller girl has a camp name, such as Ricin Beans, Black Eye Betty and Bulldozer.

Galioto explained just how challenging the sport is last week.

"There are so many skills that go into roller derby," Galioto, Toms River, said. "You need speed, endurance, to hit hard and to avoid being hit hard.

"We practice two times a week," she added. "There is so much natural athleticism that goes into it."

Galioto also explained that there is a charity aspect for each bout.

"We take a charity angle on each bout," she said. "This bout we will be collecting donations for the Monmouth County SPCA."

Galioto explained that the league collected three carloads of items donated to the shelter during the last bout.

Carrie Hamelink, Brick, who played and refereed in recent years for the league, said the league is a good opportunity for women athletes.

"The Jersey Shore Roller Girls are an awesome group of women from all walks of life who come together to play a sport," she said. "There are not many full contact sports for women once you get out of college.

"This is a great way to get out there and do something."

Galioto said that the women skaters range from age 18 to women in their 40s.

Galioto, who is also known as Chesty McBruiser, compared the roller derby league to a softball league.

"We pay dues just like a softball league," she said. "Just we are more awesome than a softball league."

Galioto acknowledged the roller derby league has a challenge in attracting people to support it.

"The biggest obstacle is that people don't know how it's played," she said.

Galioto said the next bout is scheduled for Oct. 3 and will feature the Jersey Shore All- Stars against a team from Montreal.

She also said that the league holds open gym on Thursdays at Jackson Roller Magic in Jackson.

"It's where we get fresh meat," Galioto said.

After the Oct. 3 bout, the league will wrap up its season with the league championship being held Nov. 28.

The roller girls can be reached online at http://www.jerseyshorerollergirls.net/.


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