Roller derby
It's girly, playful and dressing up is part of the game, but don't mistake flat track roller derby for a walk in the park.
By Rhiannon Elston
New to Sydney, this is a serious contact sport, with players wearing a full set of gear including kneepads, mouthguards and helmets to protect themselves from the inevitable tumbles. Delicate flowers need not apply.
The game is simple: two teams face off on a circular track, aiming to score points with speedy skating while dodging attacks from opposing players.
Each team has four defensive blockers and a goal scorer known as a jammer. These zippy, agile players are the only ones not required to skate in formation; instead their aim is to try to lap the pack. If they're skilled, they'll succeed in scoring for their team, while the unlucky ones will face the full force of the oncoming team in a messy face-off.
The whole game is fast, furious, confusing and vaguely resembles a football scrum (only minus the ball). Don't worry if you have trouble following the rules or bruise easily, roller derby is possibly even more fun to watch, with more showy theatrics than an amateur Shakespeare play.
Creative skating outfits are encouraged, often taking their cue from the punk movement aligned with the highly choreographed derbies of the 1970s. Costumes are vibrant and varied, with girls taking to the track in flashes of fluoro, lots of pink and everything from tutus to hotpants. Stage names are important too: think Violent Violet or Trippy Longstocking.
Open to ladies over 18, you don't need lots of skating experience to get involved, just some gear and the will to get down and dirty on the track.
Read Time Out's interview with Roller Girl Extraorindaire Beck Wise
Sydney Roller Derby League trains every Tue at 7pm. Borgia Centre, 531 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville 2204