Rotorua women's roller derby crew hit circuit

Rotorua's first female roller derby team are in training for their first skills test before they hit the derby circuit.

Layla Robinson and Kate Rasmussen set up the Sulphur City Steam Roller derby team about three months ago.

The crew of 18, including 16 skaters and two referees, practise twice a week in the old Rotorua Girls' High School gymnasium.

Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five roller skating in the same direction around a track.

Play involves a series of matchups ("jams") in which both teams designate a scoring player (the "jammer") who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team. The teams attempt to assist their jammer while hindering the opposing jammer.

Ms Robinson decided to set up a team when she was asked to join the Kawerau team, the K Town Derby Dolls and realised there were women in Rotorua wanting to become involved in the sport.

"I talked with friends and those interested and they were serious, so we got the ball rolling.

"There is quite a financial commitment and time commitment involved," Ms Robinson said.

"There is a serious element because of the fitness to pass the basic skills test - but there is a lot of fun too."

The team members, known as "fresh meat" in roller derby circles, have been training with the K Town Derby Dolls in preparation for their fitness test in January. Once the team pass, they can compete against other teams.

Ms Robinson said it was a lot of fun.

"There is a real feeling of camaraderie and friendship and this freedom of being on skates," she said.

"The scene is so cool - the music and the people that come with it. It's no holds barred and the exercise is awesome.

"It's just being on skates and [the] speed and the wind in your hair - there is a real feeling of freedom," Ms Robinson said.

While the Rotorua crew can not yet compete themselves, they are getting behind the New Zealand Roller Derby team heading to Toronto in December for the World Roller Derby Cup.

On Saturday the Sulphur City Steam Roller derby team will be skating through Rotorua's central business district in full uniform, collecting donations to support the national team.

"Roller derby isn't recognised in New Zealand as a sport so there is no funding available to help them compete," Ms Robinson said.

Anyone who is interested in joining the team for next season can email Layla Robinson at scsteamroller@gmail.com.