CREDIT: COURTESY OF THE FOREST CITY DERBY GIRLS
Anyone wanting to know more about roller derby need only attend their next upcoming game on Nov. 5.

With the second game of their home season scheduled for Nov. 5, London’s own roller derby league The Forest City Derby Girls is encouraging all curious onlookers to see them in action and enjoy the evening’s additional perks.

As usual, the event will be a double-header, featuring two backto- back games between travel team The Timber Rollers and Guelph’s Royal City Roller Girls, then home team The Thames Fatales and The Grey Bruce Highland Dames. All games throughout the season take place at the Western Fair District Canada Building, and half-time shows always feature local musical acts. Nov. 5 will see a performance from instrumental surf rock group The Thing From Outer Space.

For $15 at the door or $12 in advance, a fully-licenced beer garden and various vendors will round out the night for grown-ups. Younger members of the crowd are welcome to race around the track with hula-hoops and games. Kids 10 and under get in for free.

According to team captain Cate Curtis aka Chelsea Swagger, the low ticket price and various activities have earned the sport a large following in London from families looking for something fun to do on the weekend. Despite this success, developing support from those who are unfamiliar with roller derby has not come easily.

“The fact that it’s a women’s sport makes it difficult to get people to watch. I think people don’t take women’s sports seriously or women [who] are full contact. It’s a big challenge,” she said.

Curtis went on to add that for many audiences, roller derby is preceded by its reputation for being less about skill and more about staging. But she emphasized that the sport has dramatically changed over the years.

“It used to be entertainment with a side of athleticism, now it’s athleticism with a side of entertainment,” she insisted.

Some audiences may keep away due to their misconceptions, but Ira Timothy has been a fan for over four years. For Timothy, roller derby’s appeal lies in its unique origins and current distinctiveness amid mainstream sports.

“It’s a very empowering sport no matter if you’re a derby guy or derby girl. It has the action you’d find in football, the speed of hockey and the strategy of teamwork all rolled together into one,” he explained.

As a long-time spectator of London’s games, Timothy has noticed a shift in audience attendance, and claimed there is now more diversity in the seats as the league grows more awareness in the community. According to him, anyone who hasn’t yet seen a game is missing out on something special.

“The best part about a live derby game is how you can get wrapped up in the action, the speed and the electricity in the atmosphere. It’s not long into the game that you find yourself cheering, screaming and really wanting to be a part of the experience.”