Roller Girls roll for a cause

 

story and photos by Jamie Mitchell

It’s not your great-grandfathers roller derby of the mid to late 1930’s, or your grandfathers version of the roller derby hay-day in the 50’s. And although it might have a taste of the 1970’s TV series when you were a kid, this 21st century version will stop you dead in your tracks, morphing from entertainment to sheer athleticism right in front of your eyes.

Mixing a night of pink ribbons, black fish net hose and smash-mouth roller derby, the River Valley Roller Girls teamed with the Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation for the team’s 4th Annual Paint The Rink Pink derby match Saturday night against Central Arkansas Roller Derby at Fort Smith’s Crystal Palace Skate Center.

The local Rollergirls jammed, pushed and pulled their way to the win, featuring gritty blocking and graceful escapes, all the while the Ozark Affiliate scored big from the proceeds of the raffle packages provided by local businesses.

The Mobile Mammography Unit at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center joined the winners circle scoring from a portion of the beer sales. Donated raffle packages included something for everyone from a "date night" package that include a private party room at Mojos Piano Bar, gift cards from several local restaurants as well as chocolates from Kopper Kettle Kandies.

Other packages raffled off after the match included a womens glamour package, a mens package highlighted by a Hooters VIP party, a pet package, family package, a kitchen package and the River Valley Roller Girls fan Package with season passes and the much sought after RVRG Pin-up calendar.

Hitting a team mid-season stride in their fifth match, the locals skaters piled on visiting Central Arkansas to the delight of the home crowd and visiting dignitaries from the Pink Divas, a northwest Arkansas support group for women fighting breast cancer.

"This is just fabulous," said Delores Hanshew, a 9-year breast cancer survivor and president of the visiting Pink Divas. "It’s wonderful that these girls are raising money for breast cancer research and awareness.”

Joining fans at rink side Julia Tinkle and Ashtynn Dye sucked down yellow jell-o shots as they cheered on the local jammer and blockers. Both young women are considering joining the local team and were checking out the play to see where they would fit in.

"This is really empowering for the women on the team," said Tinkle.