"The sport is not something that you grow up playing like netball or rugby so it takes a while to learn the rules. There is a very thick book of rules ... you have to be careful about things like where you hit and when you hit."
Robinson said the sport show cased a mix of athleticism and theatrics. "It is basically like rugby on skates. It's really fast paced and hard hitting, girls are going flying."
She said there was a big theatrical side to the sport as well with costumes, music and plenty of attitude.
"There are two types of people that play roller derby - the ones who are into the scene ... and the athletes."
Robinson said the Rotorua club had a good mix of athletic players and players who loved wearing the fishnet stockings, loved the music and loved the culture in the sport.
"The girls with the fish netting will bring people to the bouts but the athletes will keep them there."
She said the club had a group of 10 players who could play, with another three who were almost ready to compete after completing a "fresh meat course".
The club also includes two referees.
The club's goal next year is to get more matches under their belt and introduce more players to the club.
Robinson said they train twice a week and will be taking another intake of players in February or March.
The Sulphur City Steam Rollers' debut bout was not open to the public but they will look to have their first open bout early next year.
The MVP for the match on Saturday in Whakatane was the Steam Rollers jammer Shannon Seymour aka Shan Grenade.
In simple terms, the object of the game is to score the most points by lapping opposing team members on the oval track.
The jammer is the point scorer and the other four team members are blockers.
The Steam Rollers' winning team at the weekend included Kerry Pearson, Seymour, Kate Rasmussen, Robinson, Angela Alexander, Kirsty Taylor, Fiona Cameron, Amy Nicholson, Angela Vanner, and DeArna Branson.
The Sulphur City Steam Rollers are an all female club but men are welcome to join as referees.
