A local roller derby star is hoping to promote the sport to get more people involved.
It comes as Birmingham Roller Derby prepare to host a pair of matches tomorrow (9th March), a day after International Women’s Day.
The full contact sport is played between two teams of 15, with five skaters being fielded by each side at a time.
One skater is designated as a jammer, who’s role is to score points by lapping the opposing team’s blockers.
The sport is is predominantly played by women and encourages inclusivity. Teams are player-run, with each skater being required to have a role within their club and the league itself.
Uchka Tharsis, who is a competitive skater and head of game production for Birmingham Roller Derby, said: “I would say that roller derby is more than a sport.
“It comes with essential values of inclusion – it is feminist and anti-racist. You will often see teams wear political messages when they play.
“It is mandatory for skaters to have a role in the league, so that we maintain the mantra ‘for the skaters, by the skaters’.
“In this way, everyone is involved in the life of the league and gets a say in decisions that are made.”
With International Women Day taking place today, Uchka said roller derby was a beacon for equality in sport.
“To my knowledge, it is the only full contact sport that is mostly played by women,” Uchka said.
“The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) says that boards of directors must have a majority of women to prevent men from taking power away from the women and non-binary who are at the heart of the league.
“The WFTDA gender policy highlights that trans and non-binary skaters are welcome in roller derby.
“All body shapes and sizes are welcome and have their advantages during the game.”
Birmingham Roller Derby will play London Rockin’ Rollers followed by Leeds Roller Derby facing Oxford Roller Derby on Saturday (9th March), at Thorns Collegiate Academy in Brierley Hill.
Ukchka, who goes by Bab Uchka on the field, is hoping to see a big turnout for the event.
S “It’s great entertainment and is great for the representation of women in sports,” she said.
“It’s a full contact sport played on roller skates in a fun and inclusive environment, what’s not to love?”
Tickets are available on the Birmingham Roller Derby website. Prices are £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and children under 12 are allowed in free with a paying adult.