More to the Story with Staley: Roller Derby

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s rough. It’s pretty dangerous. But it’s how we roll. That would be roller derby!

Chattanooga’s team is getting ready for its first home game of the season.

Lace ’em up. Strap ’em on! And let’s go! Chattanooga roller derby!

Getting ready for its first home bout of the season. It’s actually not a game and not a match. It’s a bout, with very specific rules!

“It’s a points system. Five players at a time. One is a jammer. They try and lap the opposing team,” player and trainer Kadi Rogers said. “It sounds simple, but then you have the other four players as blockers. They are trying to get their jammer through and keep the opposing team’s jammer out.”

Chattanooga has a really good team. Sporting between 40 to 50 athletes. Training started in February with boot camp. Where everybody, with and without experience, brushes up on the fundamentals.

However, this is not roller derby of the 70’s and 80’s. That was all choreographed. It was fake.

This is not. It’s for real. And real means dangerous.

“It’s rough. It’s a full contact sport,” one of the players, Mackensie Barton said. “There are certainly injuries. We know that. We know that going in. But it’s such a blast that it’s worth it.”

“I’ve broken both of my legs. At different times,” Rogers said. “There are injuries involved. You’re getting hit. Things happen.”

Yup, Kadi said broken legs. Kadi Rogers is one of the team leaders. She’s been at it since 2016.

But her love of the sport is not just fun. It’s off-the-charts fun. Everybody seemingly feels that way.

“I look forward to Thursday, as soon as practice ends on Tuesday. And after Thursday’s practice, I look forward to Tuesday,” Barton added.

Chattanooga will play between five and ten times this season. Three times at home. The opener is May 6 at Camp Jordan.