w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
51
at our rinks. Even if you've never
experienced a sport before, you
can derby."
One irresistible component
of modern roller derby is the
ubiquitous nicknaming, a ves-
tige of "old derby," a playful
slice of a bygone era that
teams mostly encourage,
though the use of birth names is acceptable,
too. From Flathead Valley Roller Derby's 5'2" "Pint
Size Pistol" to a roller derby skater on a Connecticut
team whose moniker is "Eleanor Bruisevelt," nick-
names range from the inspirational to the inane.
"It's sort of like enjoying a totally alternate
identity," says Kelsey Clark. "You are feeling strong
and tough—and it's a new persona for yourself. You
might base the nickname on your favorite charac-
ter from a book, or historical figure, or it might be
a play on your own name or occupation, and you
make up a pun."
While most roller derby players would proba-
bly define their sport as competitive, some of the
squads, while they most assuredly wish to win, don't
push for a victory-at-any-cost mantra, allowing all
of their participants on the roster the opportunity to
lace their rollers and take to the track.
"On the Flathead Valley Roller Derby team, all
rostered players get a chance to play," says Siina
Swanson-MacLeay. "Not just in one jam, either. You get
to play a reasonable amount of time. Now, if it comes
down to the last jam, yes, we will put out our best line
in the last jam. But it's not a win at all cost system."
According to several participants, the Montana
roller derby scene has strengthened in terms of recruit-
ment, volunteerism, and attendance bit by bit since
the early 2000s. Indeed, similar to elsewhere, roller
derby in the state has clearly shifted from a spectacle
of hucksterism to a modern, skilled team game that
provides for spectator-friendly entertainment.
"The subtleties of the game might not be un-
derstood at first," says Kelsey Clark. "I think that
making the investment will make it a lot more
satisfying to spectators in the long run. In Bozeman,
we have crowds of 500 per game, and they are super
enthusiastic and cheering."
Catch the
Roller Derby action
www.distinctlymontana.com/rollerderby202
DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL
CONTINUED
