Sports

VIEWFINDER: Derby Girls Pick Up Speed

It has been nearly a year since the formation of the South County Derby Girls.

While the spacious warehouse on the corner of Monterey Road and Leavesley may one day be the home of the Gilroy Compassion Center, “compassion” seems a remote concept as the South County Derby Girls race around the concrete floor.

Since February, the growing team has borrowed the unused space to practice the high-speed, full-contact sport of roller derby.

After a fast warm-up, coach “Rogue Assassin” tells the group the goal for the evening: “constructing good hits.”

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Composed of members from throughout Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister and the surrounding areas, the South County Derby Girls have grown in both number and community involvement since their beginning nearly one year ago, according to the club’s vice president, Lisa Wharton.

“We’re a lot more organized now,” said Wharton, who goes by “Smashin’ Smeesha” on the track.

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Around 25 people have joined the team so far, taking part in the multiple weekly practice sessions and helping to hone their skills before jumping into the regional derby competitions with a “community scrimmage” in August.

“We’re still looking for a new facility,” Smeesha said, “one that we can compete in.”

Practices are open to newcomers, and loaner skates are provided for the first few weeks. Membership is $40 a month. Check their Web site for a full schedule of events and practice times, and new skaters should take note of the "fresh meat" nights that are aimed towards beginners.

Men are welcome to join as well, practicing with the team but often asked to take up referee duty due to the smaller number of men in the sport.

Expect to see more of the derby girls, including at the upcoming Memorial Day Parade on Monday.


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