TYLER, Texas — The spring season is one of the busiest times for the sport, with the NBA playoffs and baseball season underway here. One sport in particular is often overlooked – roller derby.
The Madams of Mayhem Roller Derby team is also a non-profit organization in Tyler. The team kicked off its season in March and hopes to grow its fan base this year.
“We really wish ESPN would pick it up and show more,” said Annie Roberts, lead director of Madams of Mayhem Roller Derby. “It’s a unique sport because it takes place on roller skates and it’s primarily a women’s sport.”
The sport, which began in the ’70s, has grown steadily across the country. It’s also a contact sport that can quickly become intense on the hardwood track.
Credit: KYTX CBS19
“We play offense and defense at the same time and it gets pretty weird out there at times,” said Roberts. “Some people like it because they can hit people. I like it because I can get my friends.”
The fans who come to see the roller derby team are also helping them support a bigger cause.
“With every game we try to donate as much as we can to a local charity,” Roberts said. “We depend on the support of the fans so that we can help the people.”
In its first game in March, the team raised over $3,000 and donated a portion of that proceeds to the local women’s shelter. This year, they hope to donate more as their fan base grows.
“It’s one of the biggest things we do,” Roberts said. “We would like to donate more, but for that we need more fans. The more people come, the more money we can donate.”
One of the things Roberts likes most about roller derby is his openness and acceptance of all women.
“You have women of all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities; all women come and find camaraderie with these other women, and we all just fit together,” Roberts said.
If you want to support a great cause from the stands or on the roller derby track, the Madams of Mayhem have a place for everyone.
“We’re a family here and we just skate with a lot of women who have the same interests as you and we come from so many different backgrounds so it’s really great to meet all the people that compete in Roller Derby,” he said Tori Fenton, jammer for the Madams of Mayhem.
The next roller derby game is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at the Flores Center in Tyler. To learn more about how to join, visit their Facebook page.
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