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INDEPENDENCE - After months of training, they are back on track and ready to roll.
The Black-n-Bluegrass Rollergirls are geared up for their season opener Saturday at Sportsville, formerly Sports of All Sorts, in Florence.
The Rollergirls formed a year-and-a-half ago, in the first flat-track roller derby league in Northern Kentucky. They have been recruiting and practicing but consider their first bout this weekend as the kickoff to their inaugural season.
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The opener is against Evansville, Ind.'s Dynamite Dolls, said Rollergirls press secretary Amber King, known as Screamin' Dixie on the track.
"You should definitely expect some excitement, maybe some injuries," King said. "What you should not expect is the WWF type of antics because roller derby's not really about that anymore. It's more geared toward the sport of skating.
"It's not about girls out there clotheslining, elbowing each other or hitting each other. It's definitely fast-paced and entertaining. It's its own culture."
King, 28, of Dry Ridge, joined the team in July and said she has been anticipating this derby season, which typically runs February through September, but starts in March for the Rollergirls.
She has been working on guest announcers for upcoming bouts this season. Starting in April, a portion of the proceeds from each bout will go to charity.
Janine Ward, 28, of Latonia, whose derby name is Psych Ward, hopes the team can raise money for the Kenton County Animal Shelter, as well as charities benefiting ovarian cancer, various women's and children's charities, and a charity that uses equine therapy to benefit help mentally and physically disabled children and adults.
"We feel it is very important to give back to the community because without them, we wouldn't be here," Ward said.
Ward said past fundraisers have benefited pediatric brain cancer research, spinal muscular atrophy and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, for which the team raised $1,000.
Saturday's bout will include a mid-court, half-time performance by the Pickled Brothers Sideshow, a Cincinnati-based circus routine, which includes juggling, glass- and fire-eating and sword-swallowing.
An after-party with live music at Trifecta Sports Bar and Grill in Florence is also planned.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com or from any Rollergirl for $10 presale or $12 at the door. Ages 12 and under are free. Information: www.black-n-bluegrass.com.
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PHOTOS BY GREG LORING FOR THE ENQUIRER
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Morgue Ann Le Slayer takes a fall, as Black-n-Bluegrass league members practice on Tuesday at Sportsville, formerly Sports of All Sorts, in Florence. The Rollergirls are geared up for their season opener Saturday. |
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Buck Head Betty (front) grabs onto teammate Hellaina Havic (left) to launch her out of a turn during a Black-n-Bluegrass Moonshiners' practice. |
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