Nanaimo’s two roller derby teams treated fans to a terrific match the first time they played each other last month. They’ve only gotten better since then.
The Harbour City Rollers and the Nanaimo Nemesis play Saturday (May 28) at 6:30 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre in a bout that’s being billed as a Hometown Showdown. The Rollers won the last meeting between the teams 164-124.
The Nemesis, still seeking their first win in Vancouver Island Roller Derby Rookie League action, have been taking the rematch seriously. Coach Sara "Shawshank" Shaw said she's been reviewing footage of the Rollers.
"We know their strong stakers now and we know their weak skaters so we can pair our strong skaters with their weak skaters," she said. "Our strategy's getting better and I think we're going to kick some butt."
The Rollers and Nemesis attracted a standing-room-only crowd to their first bout and are hoping for another big turnout as fans are catching on to the fast-growing sport.
"Sometimes you've got blood, sometimes you've got broken bones … There's girls in fishnets," said Shaw. "This is basically the only full-contact female-driven sport. It's really amazing. It's going to be a good show."
DERBY DETAILS … The Nemesis have organized weekly roller skating at the Franklyn Street Gymnasium on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Any women are welcome to come by the "Church of Derby" at that time to train to be a Nemesis player or simply learn to roller skate … For information on how to potentially become a member of the Harbour City Rollers, e-mail nanaimorollergirls@gmail.com.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com