Derby women in final ‘bout’

Erin Pearson
GEELONG Roller Derby’s top two sides will face-off in their season finale on Sunday after beating Ballarat’s Rat Pack last weekend.
The Atom Bombs and Psychotics will both play in their first grand finals after a year in the rink.
Roller Derby is a full-contact women’s sport played on quad skates.
Media and marketing liason Sarah Agterhuis, who plays under the name Riff Raff Saff, said both teams had come a long way this year with “game play getting more strategic”.
“We keep the referees on their toes as the game happens quite quickly and spectators can expect a fast-paced, strategic game,” she said.
“If you haven’t been to a bout before don’t worry – at the beginning of every bout we have a demonstration of the game and its rules.”
Agterhuis said both teams were in top form.
“The Atom Bombs will want to make it three straight wins for the season and the Psychotics are still smarting from losing by 101 points in this year’s season opener.”
The Psychotics beat Atom Bombs in all three bouts last season but Agterhuis said this year’s grand final would provide tough competition for both teams.
“Everyone involved in Geelong’s Roller Derby League is proud of how far the league has come in such a short amount of time,” she said.
Geelong Roller Derby League recently ranked fifth in Australia and New Zealand in its first national tournament.
Skaters progress from “fresh meat” to intermediates before becoming “bouting” skaters.
Agterhuis said the final started 2pm Sunday at Leisuretime, Bell Post Hill.
Tickets were $10 for adults and $5 for children, she said.