There’s bumping, shoving and a lot of falling, but the rollergirls in St. Petersburg’s Deadly Rival Roller Derby wouldn’t want it any other way.
Deadly Rival was founded in 2011 as a flat-track league, but upgraded to a banked track in April 2015.
According to the organization’s website, they have the only banked track in Florida, which adds faster gameplay and tougher falls as the sides of the track are raised at an incline.
“We have skaters that come from all over the state to play. A lot of girls come to play because we are the only banked track in Florida. It’s a lot faster,” said Michelle Bocchino, the league’s co-founder. “It’s action-packed and a lot more exciting for the fans. It’s just a blast.”
In a game of roller derby, sometimes called a bout, the goal is to score more points than the rival team.
When a derby game is in play, there are typically five players on each team – four “Blockers” and one “Jammer.”
The Jammer must break through the opposing Blockers, circle the track and pass the other team’s players to score points. Each player that the Jammer passes counts as one point.
Each player that the Jammer passes counts as one point.
The Blockers on both team’s move slowly while trying to prevent the opposing Jammer from getting through.
Bouts consist of four 15-minute periods, but the derby girls only play for 60-second mini-sessions called Jams; between each Jam, the teams can substitute players.
Roller derby is a physical sport, but that doesn’t stop the derby girls from supporting one another. After every Jam, players consistently high-fives and exchanged congratulations.
“I’m an only child. I have no sisters,” Bocchino said. “But I’ve got 30 sisters in this league.”
Every player has a nickname, which is usually a play on words, like “Bone Saw Betty,” “Princess Slaya” and “Lyka Fox.”
“It’s usually anything with music, movies or pop culture. It’s your personality or what you like. It’s your alter ego,” Bocchino said, who is also known as M. Pyre Wrecker, a reference to her favorite movie, “Empire Records.”
Bocchino said the ages of the derby girls range from 18 to 54, but that most members are in their 30s and come from diverse backgrounds.
“We have girls who work at law firms, we have stay-at-home moms and teachers,” she said. “Teacher by day – badass roller derby girl by night.”
Helping the community is one of Deadly Rival’s primary goals. The members participate in local events and have also partnered with a local shelter to promote animal rescue.
A different rescue that is up for adoption is featured before the monthly bouts in an effort to get that animal adopted.
If you’re interested in getting involved in roller derby or would like to attend one of the Deadly Rival’s monthly bouts, visit deadlyrivalrollerderby.com. The group also has open recruitment for potential members every Monday at 8:30 p.m.
