Tue Feb 09 2010
by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- A new sport is rolling into Tallmadge, and all of the proceeds from the events will benefit local charities.
The Northeast Ohio Rock 'N' Roller Girls are starting their second season in May and hope to draw a big enough crowd at the Summit County Fairgrounds to donate at least $5,000 this year, said Kimberly Shuman, the group's business and charity director, and a member of the team.
The team previously played at Pinnacle Sport in Medina, but decided to move to the fairgrounds because it is closer for many members of the team. Also, at the fairgrounds, beer will be sold, which was "highly requested by the fans," said Shuman.
The team has six bouts -- or games -- scheduled this season, said Shuman, whose roller derby name is Scarlet GoDancin.
All 30 women are from the Northeast Ohio area and include residents from Munroe Falls, Stow, Tallmadge, Ravenna and Cuyahoga Falls, she said.
In roller derby, a team of more than 30 women roller skate on a flat circuit track arena and try to out score the other team by having a team member circle the track more than their opponent.
Typically, five women, per team, are on the floor at the same time and play both contact defense and contact offense simultaneously for two 30 minute periods.
There are rules and penalties in place for illegal hits and every member of a team is required to wear a mouth and wrist guard, elbow and knee pads and a helmet.
"A lot of people are use to roller derby of the past in the 70s ... where it was staged," said Shuman. "Here it's a complete real sport, not staged. Endurance is intense and injuries and falls are real. There are some girls who can flat-out knock you out."
Shuman said she expects about 500 people to attend each game.
The first bout is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 2, against a team from Buffalo, NY, with proceeds benefiting Akron Children's Hospital, she said.
The doors to the arena at the Summit County Fairgrounds, 1100 North Ave., open at 5 p.m. and the bouts begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 at the door and children 12 and under are admitted free.
"This is a family event," she said.
All of the proceeds this season will be donated to charity, but not all of the charities have been selected yet, Shuman said.
On June 13, the proceeds will be given to the American Red Cross Summit County Division, she said. The group is still seeking out charities for four other events.
The biggest bout of the season will be Aug. 29.
"We don't have the local charity yet, but it's going to be for breast cancer," Shuman said.
The team had their busts casted and painted by local artists, including Akron's Leandra Drumm, and they will be auctioned at half-time Aug. 29, she said.
"We want a local tie," said Shuman. "We want survivors to come to the bout free of charge and participate."
"Part of our roller derby motto is to give back to the community," she said. "We hope to give back at least $5,000 this season. That's triple what we could give back last year and we hope to give even more in 2010."
For more information and the Rock 'N' Roller Girls' schedule, visit www.neorocknrollergirls.com.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911
Special to Record Publishing Co.
Women from the Rock 'N' Roller derby team will start their second season in May 2 at the Summit County Fairgrounds. This is the first year the charity roller derby team will be in Tallmadge and members of the team are from many local communities.
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