Pair O' Dice City roll into Westfield for home matchup
Date: 7/18/2012
By Carley Dangona
carley@thereminder.comWESTFIELD — POW! BAM! THWACK! CRASH!
The Pair O' Dice City Rollers were back in town for their first home bout July 14, when they clashed with Worcester Roller Derby at Amelia Park for the love of sport, speed, hitting people and community.
The action was non-stop during the two-hour bout; keeping the audience engaged, wincing with each hit, stumble and wipeout. Despite being a newly established team, the Rollers maintained a united front against their opponents, fiercely blocking jammers from escaping the pack to score points. The final score was 185 to 73, with Worcester taking the win. Throughout the matchup the Rollers clearly stuck to their motto: "Fun. Respect. Teamwork!"
"We're an all women's team, owned and operated by women," Halle Pain Yo, Pair O' Dice City Rollers co-founder and co-captain, said. "It was a combination of dandy things that brought our team together."
Bootsy Killins, Pair O' Dice City Rollers co-founder and co-captain, said, "It's been great to have the opportunity to build a league from the ground up. It's been very challenging, but very rewarding. We get to look at all established leagues and pull elements from the best to build our team's foundation. "
Skater Shade Runner agreed, "My favorite part of the team is the positive attitude of everyone. We are really focused on our motto — Surprisingly, we all get along — It's just a really good group of ladies. We can all be ourselves."
Referee Carolina Blackout, a former ice hockey player, also observed the camaraderie among the women, "Everybody accepts everybody; there's no cliques. Everybody helps out here."
Another aspect of the team is community outreach. Proceeds from each bout go to local charities.
"We're a non-profit roller derby team," Pain Yo said. "The proceeds from the Amelia Park bout are being donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Westfield."
When asked what a long-term goal of the team is, Killins replied, "Eventually, we would like to become a fixture in the community. We don't want to just be a team that skates here; we want to be part of the community."
"We do everything for charity," skater Brutiful Harley said.
To women contemplating lacing up skates and joining a team, the skaters are eager to offer help and encouragement.
"The hardest thing is that you are going to push yourself like never before," Harley said. "Most importantly, understand it's okay to fall, you're gonna fall, it happens."
Runner said, "Derby is for everyone, whether a spectator, an official, or one of the crazy skaters. Get comfortable in your skates, so you're not afraid to try anything."
"Roller derby is really empowering for women," Killins enthused. "There's a place for everyone and it's good for body image. Derby is the only place I've been where 'you're butt is large' equals a compliment. It's both tough and sexy."
Blackout offers some technical tips, "If you want to join, throw on a pair of skates and start practicing. Once you get use to the skates, you're fine."
Skater Auntie M said, "Roller derby requires multiple tools. There's speed, skill, strategy, teamwork and shoving. My biggest triumph is that I am skating backwards."
There's many reasons why these women intentionally race into harm's way.
"I thought it was the most amazing sport, and I wanted to do it," Auntie M said. "I love the sport. It's a women's sport not just a division of a men's sport."
"I like the outfits," Harley said.
"My favorite part of derby is hitting people as hard as I can I don't even like roller-skating," Killins said."
Spectators too, can enjoy the action.
"Roller derby is a great opportunity to see an awesome, full-contact, women's sport up close and personal," Killins said. "There's stuff for kids and adults. Derby girls love their fans."
Blackout explained, "At first you may not get it [the technical aspect of derby], but if you like hockey it's got the hits."
Harley explained the distinction between roller derby of the past and roller derby as it is now, "see it as a sport, not a theatrical spectacle."
"We can deliver lots of skills and thrills," Auntie M said.
The next home bout for the Pair O' Dice City Rollers will take place Sept. 16 at Interskate 91 in Wilbraham where they face the Strong Island Derby Revolution.
For more information about this matchup or the team visit
www.pairodicecityrollerderby.com.
