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Roller Derby in Wanganui could have the chance to grow considerably with a choice now available of two local clubs, after the emergence of the new West Coast Bombers this season.
However, it will take time and some reconciliation before the Bombers meet their former clubmates in the original River City Rollers Club, as the new "league" was started by members departing from the old at the end of 2014.
The Bombers roster now consists of 33 members, of which 14 currently make up the Roller Derby team, the minimum required for a full bout.
Melissa Welch, aka "Canuckle Slamwich", said they have formed an association with the Whenua Fatales from Levin to get extra players for games, while also helping out the Fatales roster.
"As long as the league is okay, they can play games with us."
They also have five roller hockey players in the club, while also taking part in outside skating and bowl skating to provide club activities all year, outside of the derby season from February to November.
Up to 70 per cent of the club are former River City Rollers.
The local schism is understood to have come about after a national scandal that rocked the sport involving then-New Zealand coach Stacey Roper ("Pieces of Hate") - a strong supporter of the Rollers - and deaf Wellington skater Marcia Taylor.
Taylor missed selection for the team that went to the 2014 World Cup in Dallas in December and Roper made comments on Facebook implying she had not considered Taylor because of her deafness.
"Expecting [players] to learn sign language in nine months on top of that is just not fair. I'm real sorry, but it's called a disability for a reason."
Taylor complained to the Human Rights Commission after the New Zealand Roller Derby Association did not respond to her initial complaint.
The association issued a public apology for the comments, but also backed Roper's selection decisions.
There was considerable backlash online while several leagues, such as Dunedin Derby, voted to leave the NZRDA.
At the same time locally, a number of River City Rollers members departed the club.
"That was more an issue for the whole derby community," said Welch, who started her playing career in Christchurch.
"Things trickle through, but it's hard to know who to believe.
"There was decisions made where they decided where they wanted to leave [the Rollers].
"At the moment, we probably won't be playing a lot of games against each other."
Welch said the Bombers just want to distance themselves from the controversy, focusing on setting a club that has "a love of roller skating".
"It's not huge hard feelings, it's just a choice people made."
Their next bout is against the Kapiti Coast team on July 26.
Currently rebuilding their ranks, the Rollers have not played any competitive bouts this season,
Their star New Zealand representative player Mel McGhie, aka "Mel-icious Mayhem", is still training and coaching with the club while linking up with the Palmerston North All Stars team for matches.
Rollers chairwoman Shirleen Ashworth, aka "Smashworth", said after losing much of their original roster of 22 last year, they had now built themselves back up to a squad of 20.
At the end of 2014, the members leaving all cited personal reasons of work and family commitments, and it was only early in 2015 the remaining Rollers learned about the Bombers, Ashworth said.
The recent recruits, known in the sport as "fresh meat", have proved to have a strong aptitude for skating, which has moved them quickly into being ready for bouts next season.
"That's the idea behind getting our 'fresh meat' up and running," said Ashworth.
"It's just to further the team so we can have a competitive team again."
They would also be open to bouts with the Bombers when the team is ready, she said.
"It could be awesome for roller derby.
"I think it will be an awesome game to have in the future, but we need to make sure we have enough for the future."
Both clubs have Facebook pages and welcome new members.
West Coast Bombers have training at The Rink on Hatrick St, on Sunday evenings from 5-7pm.
They are starting a 15-week course for 'cadets' on August 2 and have a Halloween-themed cocktail fundraiser at Mint Cafe on October 31.
River City Rollers have 6pm training on Tuesdays at Jubilee Stadium and Thursdays at The Rink.
"We are always open if anyone wants to come down and chat to us," said Ashworth.