Roller Ghouls ghost into third season

Wintec journalism student Local roller derby team the Hellmilton Roller Ghouls have just turned three and to celebrate the girls will be starting their own home season this year.

The home season will feature two newly formed teams: the purple and silver Ultra Violent; and the green and blue Gangreen. Newer skaters who have recently passed their skills tests, will make up the two home teams.

New to the sport is Mary Eastwood who goes by the derby name of Vixen Hazard.

She has been a part of the Hellmilton rollers for four months now and describes the sport as a great work out despite the bumps and bruises collected along the way.

"Many people are put off by the thought of getting hurt, but at the end of the day, it's just a bit of fun and the danger makes it all the more exciting," Vixen says.

The club recently attended the International Tattoo Expo at Claudelands showground, where Hellmilton's Raggedy Angst (the travelling team) faced off against Mount Militia's Dangerous Curves.

The team used the expo as a chance to encourage girls to come along and try out or, as they call it in the game, "to recruit fresh meat."

The Hellmilton Roller Ghouls have new intake sessions the first Sunday of every month at Melville Skate Rink.

"We suggest you try get in as much skating as possible before hand, there are public skate sessions at the rink Thursdays 7-9pm," Vixen says.

The home season will consist of three bouts, on May 5, July 21, and the final on September 8. The travel team will also host games in Hamilton, as well as heading to Tauranga and Christchurch.

All home games will be played at the Hamilton Devils Inline Hockey Rink on Dey Street in Hamilton East.