Women on Wheels – Dixie Derby Girls Roller Derby

If you know nothing about Huntsville’s first Flat Track Roller Derby League – the Dixie Derby Girls – then I’m about to fill you in.

If you already know about the Dixie Derby Girls, then kudos my friend. Aren’t they great?

If you have actually been to a Dixie Derby Girls bout, then lemme hear you HOLLA!

I think the best way to introduce anyone who is not familiar with the awesomeness that is Roller Derby is to let you hear it directly from the women themselves.

Let’s Hear It From the Girls

Dixie Derby Girl: eRacer X – #X9

What position do you play? 

I am a utility player. I both block and jam.

Describer your Derby “style”.  

I’m difficult to knock down and smart on the track.

What’s the best part of being a Dixie Derby Girl?

The group is such a wonderful, tight-knit group of women with common goals and great hearts for the community.

What’s your most memorable bout and why?

Scoring the winning points against the Big Easy Rollergirls in a very tight game.

What is the single most important thing you would tell a person who knows absolutely nothing about Roller Derby?

This is a real contact sport that fosters and showcases the strength of women—it’s not the theatrical antics of the 1970s.

Dixie Derby Girl: Cakeface Killa – #1976

What position do you play?

I play any position that I’m needed in, though mostly blocker.

Describer your Derby “style”.

Spastic! I do a lot of jumping and juking to avoid being hit. It looks a little chaotic, but it’s very effective.

What drew you to being a Roller Derby girl? 

At first it was the fact that anyone could do it as long as they were willing to work hard. After playing for a few years it’s been the strategy that keeps my mind racing and wanting to learn as much as possible about the sport.

[quote style=”1″]”This is a real contact sport that fosters and showcases the strength of women—it’s not the theatrical antics of the 1970s.” -eRacer X [/quote]

What is the single most important thing you would tell a person who knows absolutely nothing about Roller Derby? 

In general, it’s the fastest paced game ever played by women. For a person interested in watching: Keep your eyes on the girl with the star on her helmet! She’s the point scorer, or Jammer, and starts scoring points on opposing blockers on her second pass through the biggest group of both team’s blockers, also known as the pack.

Dixie Derby Girl: Kupcake Kamikaze

What position do you play?

Jammer is my favorite position, but we all train as blockers too.

Describer your Derby “style”.

I’m only 5 feet tall so my style is low and quick. Use my low center of gravity to my advantage!

What’s your favorite part of a bout and why?

My favorite part of a bout is meeting all the new people! I love meeting new fans and introducing them to derby. I also love meeting skaters from other leagues, learning from their styles and strategies, making new derby friends.

What’s your most memorable Dixie Derby Girl experience?

Being awarded MVP Jammer against the Rollergirls of Central Kentucky. I’d never traveled to Kentucky before and that made the game extra special for me.

What is the single most important thing you would tell a person who knows absolutely nothing about Roller Derby? 

It’s a real sport with rules, strategy and no gimmicks, played by dedicated, smart, athletic women. It’s not the roller derby you watched on TV in the 70’s, it’s even better!

Better in Dixie

Here is an awesome video that I highly recommend. It’s only 2 minutes long and gives you everything you need to know to confidently head out to the next Dixie Derby Girls bout. As a matter of fact, I found this video on the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s site of which the Dixie Derby Girls are members.

Now I’ve been to Dixie Derby Girl bouts and let me tell you first-hand, it’s exciting. I personally got the same feeling of excitement and tension watching a Jammer try to score as I did watching Lacy trying to make a touchdown run for the Alabama Crimson Tide (yes, I went there). I say this to emphasize the fact that this contact sport is FUN to watch.

But Wait…There’s More

• The Dixie Derby Girls, who have been around since 2004, are a non-profit 501(c)3.
• Not only are they a non-profit, but they work hard to assist other non-profits in our community.
• They have practices and bouts at Roller Time Skate Rink.
• DDG are always recruiting, so ladies check out a practice some time if you think this might be for you.

The next home bout is August 10 (against the Burn City Rollers of Auburn) at Roller Time. Cost is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Kids age 7-12 are $3 and kids 6 and under are free.

You can also bring your own chairs as seating is limited. If you want to see the Rocket City’s fastest women on wheels, then check out the Dixie Derby Girls in action.

I promise you, it’s an amazing experience! [spacer size=”0″]

Even More Dixie Derby Girls Info:

• Visit the Dixie Derby Girls website
• Find the Dixie Derby Girls on Facebook
• Follow the Dixie Derby Girls on Twitter

Go See the Dixie Derby Girls

Next Home Bout: August 10th (Complete season schedule)
Time: Doors open at 5:30pm and action starts at 6:00pm
Where they skate: Roller Time Skate Rink
Address: 707 Arcadia Cir. Huntsville, AL 35801
Cost: General Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Ages 7-12 are $3. Ages 6 and under admitted free.