'Roller Girls' have fun and give back to community
The Old Capitol City Roller Girls are Iowa City's first flat-track roller-derby team. We are a group of all kinds of women — mothers you see walking with a stroller, the smiling barista handing you your latte, the woman in the cubicle next to you at work — and we all play roller derby. We are a skater-owned, skater-run, skater-coached team, and our goal is to bring unique, family-friendly, exciting entertainment to the Iowa City area.
When we started our team in October 2008, we began recruiting as many women as we could. We have served chili suppers for charity, served Jell-O shots at IC Ugli's, and played games with kids at free skate events at the recreation center. A lot of what we do is aimed to give back to the community — and help create a good name for our team and the sport we love.
Our team is composed of women ages 21 to 50. Our skaters, referees, and support staff number us at a roster of 40 or so. We play on a flat track that is marked with ropes and tape, so we can play in just about any large venue. Right now, we are proud to call the Coralville Marriott our home. Roller-derby rules are governed by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association — similar to the NBA of roller derby. It's a fun sport — both to play and to watch.
A roller-derby bout is an event that anyone of any age and background can enjoy. There's a lot of thrills and hard hits and flashy moves that can keep crowds entertained. Strategy, penalties, and fancy footwork make the game appealing to cerebral crowds as well. The Old Capitol team is a formidable opponent for any of the nine other teams in Iowa, and we are growing and learning to become competitive with the other 700 leagues in the United States.
However, we also want to be sure to give back to those who have supported us so enthusiastically. At every home game (and we usually have one a month) we give a check to a charity affecting the community — some of our donations have gone to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Emma Goldman Clinic, and the Johnson County Animal Shelter. We want Iowa City to see us not only as athletes but also as a community organization here for Iowa City that wants the best for the place that we live, work, and play.
Being a roller-derby skater is just like being any other kind of athlete. We practice hard, carbo-load before games, spend time bickering over which wheels or skates are superior, and spend time icing down sprains and bruises. Unlike other athletes, we get to show our personality putting together names, personas, and put on an event that combines showmanship with gritty athletics. Roller derby is a sport that allows everyone to showcase her personality and unique abilities. The thing that drew me to the sport was the fact that I could play it — competitively — even though my chosen form of exercise for the 17 years prior was ballet. The most important thing with playing derby is passion for the sport — something our team has in spades.
So come on down to the next bout — we love being able to entertain and delight the people of Iowa City and love participating in such an awesome sport in the community we love. Who knows? Maybe you'll be lacing up a pair of skates with us next year.
Quinn "Animal Mother" Dreasler
Old Capitol City Roller Girls
Old Capitol City Roller Girls
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