Skating their way in the USA: Shortstop and Bambi von Smash’er take on America

Posted on 6 December, 2014

You may not know about it but there are masters in disguise in Canberra.

They are disguised as an Architect, Scientist and an Art Gallery Exhibition Co-ordinator, and for months their respective employers have happily accommodated their ambitions of representing Australia in the Roller Derby World Cup.

Canberra Roller Derby League (CRDL)  players, ShortStop, Shaggle Frock and Bambi von Smash’er have been around the sport for a upwards of five years now, with two of the three (ShortStop and Bambi) have already competed at the previous World Cup back in 2011.

The amount of hard work and time given by the local women has only grown in the past twelve months as they have had a gruelling training schedule, which involves travelling to a different state in Australia every month to train with the rest of the Australian squad.

Although she didn’t make it into the final team, Shaggle Frock belives the training also brings new skills into the game in Canberra.

The Brindabelters v The Black ‘n’ Blue Belles Canberra Roller Derby League Photographer: Brett Sargeant, D-eye Photography

“It is more about what I have got out of being a part of the squad, so the training sessions, additional skill, game play and strategies I have picked up from seeing some of the more experienced leagues and people in those leagues who we are traveling with,” she says.

It is clear that training is important leading up to such a tournament and can really put the side in good stead to face off against the other countries competing for the title.

“The intensity and level of expectation is much higher then even been part of a representative squad in our league here. So you are on that whole time and there is quite a lot of mental fatigue as well as physical fatigue,” Bambi von Smash’er says.

The Brindabelters v The Black ‘n’ Blue Belles. Canberra Roller Derby League.
Photographer: Brett Sargeant, D-eye Photography

Back in 2011, 13 national teams from all around the world took part. Australia achieved a great result coming forth and were even unseeded at the time. But the pressure is on now as seven more teams enter the stadium.

“I suspect it will be more competitive as well because everybody has had that bit longer with roller derby. While derby would have been found in as many countries as is now it is just it is a bit more developed no, so I guess that’s why countries have felt more confident to field a team,” says Bambi.

The women speak as if this is second career and have time devoted to training and competing at the elite level of roller derby as well as working full time in their chosen profession.

Canberra Roller Derby League.
Photographer: Brett Sargeant, D-eye Photography

“I was speaking to a friend about it and he said ‘it’s like you have two careers; you are juggling two careers at the same time. You have got roller derby, which is this full time thing where you are training in the morning, evening, playing games and travelling’. I think every long weekend this year we have travelled for a tournament to play competitive game. While also working in a full on career,” Shaggle Frock says.

The team are already in America in competition and excited at the chance to showcase their talents to the world. So far Team Australia have taken on Italy, Belgium and Greece and won all games! They take on Scotland at 8am our time this morning – catch the action live on the Roller Derby World Cup website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.