Roller Girls Face Off in New Derby League

PINELLAS PARK - Hundreds of screaming fans packed the Astro Skate in Pinellas Park for the Roll-A-Hula-Luau Exhibition Bout. People of all ages came out to support moms, daughters, sisters and friends; the women of the Pinellas County Roller Girls. 

"We're just having fun, we've been practicing. We've all been going out, we've always had fun doing it," Brigette Bradley of New Port Richey said.

The roller girls come from all walks of life.

"We have teachers, nurses, ultrasound techs, hair dressers, moms, all kinds," Kati Samon of Seminole said.

"We're crazy! We got tall one's, we got short one's, we got thin one's we got fat one's, there all crazy loco," Michelle Bocchino of Clearwater said.

They're come together for one thing . . . to skate.

"Just hitting people. Knocking people down, it's just good to get out aggression. But, it's all in good fun, we all love each other, these girls are awesome," Bocchino said.

"I have a lot of built up aggression so this gives the opportunity to let it all out and not get in trouble for it," Erica Pitchon of Largo said.

Roller girls practiced twice a week for months to compete in this first bout. Earning countless cuts and bruises.

"Everybody falls. Everybody falls and it hurts so, but you get back up and you're fine," Brigette Bradley said.

Most of these players are new to derby. But they need more than beginners luck to win.

"A jammer starts behind the pack, they are actually the one's that, that score points as the pass each player of the opposing team they can score," Minta Meyer of St. Petersburg said.

At the end of the game, it isn't two teams competing . . . it's a group of girls skating and having fun. 

"I think it's fun for anybody I mean, just to be a part of something and have a support system and know that you got your girls to back you up no matter what, like, I think it's there for anybody," Pitchon said.

"There were girls that couldn't even stand on roller skates and I just love how kind everybody was, they just want to teach people to do it," Kati Samon said.

This track isn't full, there's always room for more.

"I want to get in there, I want to get rockin and rolling, hell yeah. That's what I'm waiting for," Pitchon said.

"You gotta play. Just come out and play. Check it out, get some skates. We got everything, we can let you borrow. Just come out and play, it's a really good time," Bocchino said.

For more information contact the Pinellas County Roller Girls at (727) 859-7274. Also view the 2011 Bout Schedule online.