Words: Ryan Ingram
Photos: Bob Ayers

In 2006, when the Terminal City Rollergirls league was still in its infancy, a roller derby team from Portland’s Rose City Rollers called The Heartless Heathers trekked across the border to show their Canadian neighbors the ropes – patiently teaching the Vancouver skaters some valuable skills, then proceeding to beat the pants off of them in a friendly scrimmage.

This Saturday, TCRG’s All-Stars team gets the chance to show the Heartless Heathers how far they’ve come, when they square off in a highly anticipated bout at the PNE Forum.

Here are five reasons why you should make a hot date with roller derby this weekend:

1. Support your All-Stars!

If you don’t already know, the TCRG All-Stars team is a collection of Vancouver’s most skilled derby athletes. The team is pretty much the roller derby equivalent to the Justice League – but instead of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, there are players like Rollergirl, Luludemon and Amazombie in the powerful line-up. (The main difference between the All-Stars and the Justice League is that there’s no lame seahorse-riding Aquaman.)

While it’s always good times when cheering on your favourite TCRG house team, any allegiances to the Bad Reputations, Faster Pussycats, Riot Girls or Public Frenemy will get thrown out the window for Saturday’s bout. This time, the crowd can go bonkers together, wearing their red and cheering on the home Vancouver team.

After losing a tough-fought bout in Tacoma against the Dockyard Derby Dames (TCRG led for most of the bout, only to lose by four points in the final minute), it would be fantastic for the home crowd to give the All-Stars that extra burst of Vancouver energy to help them pull off their first big-league victory in front of a home crowd.

2. New venue!

They’ve been dreaming about it for years, and now the Terminal City Rollergirls will finally play their first bout on the historic PNE grounds, at the Forum. It’s the league’s first chance to pack a 3,000-person venue, and for the fans to transform the place into the sweaty sea of screaming red that’s worthy of these roller derby warriors.

Saturday will also be the public debut of TCRG’s shiny new Sport Court floor. You know, the one that they so tirelessly raised funds for last year. Expect even better performance out of your favorite players now that these little plastic tiles of goodness lie under their wheels.

3. Heartless Heathers!

Portland’s Rose City Rollers are currently ranked 5th in the WFTDA’s West division (http://wftda.com/rankings), which is widely regarded as the toughest division in the WFTDA. The Heartless Heathers are one of Rose City’s local house teams, and they’re a motley crew known for their big hits and are always ready for a battle.

While the Heathers have lost some of their veterans recently to the RCR travel team and retirement, there will be no shortage of fire-power from veterans Sol Train and TeqKillYa – who were part of the 2006 visit – as well as rookie French Tickler, who’ll be serving up huge hits. It looks to be an excellent match-up for TCRG.

4. That other sporting event.

Apparently there’s some big hockey game also happening on Saturday. But if you want to see big hits that would make Raffi Torres jealous and speed that would give Mason Raymond pause, look no further. And you don’t have to sell your first born on the black market to afford a ticket! As an added bonus, there’s a solid chance that there won’t be any Carrie Underwood sightings or dudes dressed in green spandex blocking your view.

Oh – and even if you do plan to watch the Canucks, there will be time to head down to the PNE after the game and catch the All-Stars’ action, as their first whistle blows at around 7:30.

5. Beer garden!

Beer garden!!

Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be an appetizer featuring Public Frenemy taking on the Riot Girls.

Tickets are $17 in advance (+ service charges) and $23.50 at the door. Kids 6-12 get in for $10! Buy advance tickets in person at Flaming Angels (4307 Main Street) or online at Ticketmaster.