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Team World in LA

Leaving Las Vegas

Birmingham's only roller derby team toppled the Americans! Now they're coming home to launch their skating season. And they need your help!

Georgia W Tush, Helen Fury, Hoochi Mama

The ladies of the Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames recently returned from Las Vegas, Nevada where they represented Birmingham as part of Team World.

They were joined by other girls from London, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, collectively forming Team World, prevailing against opponents Team USA in a challenge bout at Rollercon.

Rollercon is the International Rollergirl Convention where over 4,000 skaters from grassroots roller derby leagues all over the world congregate in celebration of their favourite sport.

Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames

The Dames' Vegas showdown took place on Freemont Street - which is in Old Vegas - before cheering crowds under a swealtering sun.

Participating Dame Bee Bentley aka Iva Issues said: "We're making roller derby history which is very exciting!"

Teammate Faith Brown, who competes under the name of Helen Fury, said: "We've now shown the rest of the skating community what Birmingham is made of."

The Dames

Professional roller derby - a popular attraction on American television in the 1960s and 70s - enjoyed something of a revival Stateside in 2004, prompting the Dames to attempt to put together a local league.

Kamakazi gets legwhipped by Daisy Pain

They have spent the last 12 months aggressively recruiting everyone from players to door staff in preparation for a series of Birmingham fixtures. The dates are:

27th October 2007 - Inaugural Brawl

8th December 2007 - Season's Beatings

27th February 2008 - Bloody Valentine

Georgia W Tush jamming for Team World

12th April 2008 - Spring Lickin's

13th June 2008 - Championship Smasher

Tickets are on sale now.

They also have a special fundraising night at the Birmingham Barfly on 22nd Septmeber. Visit www.blitzdames.com

The first league bout takes place from 1-3pm and features the Air Raid Sirens versus the Black Op Betties at Cocks Moors Wood Sports Centre in Kings Heath.

Your help

The Dames are still recruiting! They're looking for:

An indoor match

Females to skate

Ever fancied roller derby? Well, as long as you're female, over 18 and have a great attitude you can pop along to one of the Dames' training sessions, even if you've never put a pair of skates on before.

Referees

For guys or gals. Just think - you can spend the day ordering around a bunch of women. And they have to listen! Full training provided.

People

There's a lot of work involved in getting this league off the ground. The Dames need:

DJ's, photographers, announcers, entertainers and personalities, bands, lighting and recording experts, production staff, door staff, security and medical personnel.

Rollergirls from around the world gather

And of course - fans!

If you'd like to help out in any of these roles e-mail: info@blitzdames.com

Roller Derby

Your typical match sees teams of five skaters, kitted out in colourful costumes and adopting outrageous stage names, battle it out on indoor tracks.

Skating in pack formation, four blockers and one jammer attempt score points by outmanoeuvring the opposition. Picking up bumps and bruises during the action is not uncommon!

A pack in formation

"It's a women's sport, and it's not your typical sport," says Sam 'Tragic Wrath' Clifford, 29, of Birmingham.

"You come here and you skate your butt off and you actually get to take your aggression out, hitting people and blocking and all that stuff. When you leave here, you feel great."

Practices

The BBDD hold regular practices in Erdington, Kings Heath and Solihull. Visit their myspace page for details: http://www.myspace.com/blitzdames

If you want to get involved, contact info@blitzdames.com or telephone their recruitment hotline on 0791 381 7230.

last updated: 10/09/07

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