photos by Bob Ayers

Vancouver’s Terminal City Rollergirls are hosting another action-packed roller derby double header on Saturday, July 7 at Minoru Arena, this time with opposition traveling from the Fraser Valley and Washington State.

TCRG house team the Faster Pussycats will be taking on the Doomsday Bunnies from Cloverdale’s Mainland Misfits league in the first bout of the night. These not-so-cuddly bunnies are fast and feisty, but they’re going to need to bring everything they’ve got to challenge the strategic teamwork of the Faster Pussycats. The Pussycats have only lost one bout so far this year – a nail-biting battle against the Bad Reputations back in April. They’re a defensive force to be reckoned with and they’re getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on.

Fellow TCRG team The Bad Reputations are undefeated in league play this season, and they want to keep it that way, but they’re certainly not choosing the easy route to victory. They’ll be taking on some old foes from across the border in the second bout of the night: the Taco Kickers, a travel-only team from Everett, Washington. Just over a year ago, the Taco Kickers beat the Bad Reps in a gruelling 150-119 fight. The Bad Reps are determined to reclaim the TCRG championship title this year and have been honing their aggressive, physical style, making them one of the most exciting TCRG teams to watch.

This family-friendly event will be a blast for sports fans of any age, and will have food trucks, beer garden, half-time entertainment and a rockin’ DJ.

For this event, the Terminal City Rollergirls are very proud to support Kids Up Front Vancouver. By distributing unused event tickets to kids who otherwise would not have the opportunity, Kids Up Front special events to help heal, bond and unite. TCRG is providing tickets for each of their arena bouts in the 2012 season, and proceeds from their VIP section will go to help send more kids to other local events. For more info, go to kidsupfrontvancouver.com

Doors will open at 5pm at Minoru Arena in Richmond, BC, and the first jam starts at 6pm. Minoru Arena is conveniently located one block away from Brighouse Skytrain Station on the Canada Line. Tickets for adults are $15 in advance/ $20 at the door, and kids’ tickets are $10. Advance tickets are available online at terminalcitytickets.com or at the Sin Bin Sports Grill (295 W. 2^nd Ave in Vancouver). Fans in the know will be wearing purple and black for the Pussycats, or teal and lightning bolts for the Bad Reps.

New to roller derby? Not to fear; local player and visual artist Germain Koh aka PLAYER 1 has developed this handy iPhone app with easy-to-read explanations of rules and strategy. Download it and you’ll be a derby nerd in no time.