Since the Savannah Jr. DerbyTaunts formed in 2012, they’ve been on the lookout for some tough little ladies, and they found them Sunday during the team’s open enrollment meet and greet in Garden City.
The league is a member of the Junior Roller Derby Association and accepts girls ages 10-17 who are interested in staying active and perhaps getting a little “rink rash” in the process.
DerbyTaunts manager Dana Bynum says that overall the league works to empower the girls and instill a sense of leadership and teamwork within the league. But Bynum says that most women are drawn to roller derby because of the high level of contact.
“In roller derby, if someone really hits you hard, it’s expected after the game that you go up to her and give her a hug and say, ‘You’re amazing.’ You can’t hold grudges,” Bynum said. “There is men’s roller derby out there, but it’s always called ‘men’s’ roller derby. This is a female dominated sport.”
The physical contact is what attracted 16-year-old Sky “Madame Machete” Reicherter to the roller derby league, but along the way, she’s also learned patience and how to be supportive of her teammates.
“When you compete you’re going up against people you don’t know. You all have good clean fun, but at the same time you’re kicking butt and you’re shoving people down. It’s good clean fun and you’re all in it for the fun,” Reicherter said. “I absolutely love it. It’s taught me how to work better in teams and how to lead, but not be too bossy. You have to help each other out.”
And working together is what DerbyTaunts coach Sarah “Lizzie Gored’em” Hurst said it’s all about. Hurst said that as a coach she strives to encourage the girls to be better skaters and help out their fellow teammates.
“It encourages women to feel strong and powerful and work together, plus it’s really cool to feel so rough and tumble,” Hurst said. “But if you don’t work well with other people then you aren’t going to win in roller derby.”
First-time derby skater Kat Kelly has always had a passion for skating and wanted to participate in a sport to keep her active outside of marching band.
“I think I’m going to love it. I’ve just loved everything we’ve done so far,” Kelly said. “I would encourage any other girl to try it even if you don’t think you’ll be good at it because you’ll love it.”