TV role for skater girls

Photo: Begt Persson

Victory celebration by the Rainy City roller derby team.

OLDHAM skaters are set to feature in a new BBC documentary about roller derby.

The 20-minute programme follows Rainy City Roller Girl “Kiki Kapow” and her teammates as they prepare for a game the against North Cheshire Victory Rollers at the Thunderdome in King Street, Oldham.

Roller derby has its origins in the 1920s, evolving from roller skating marathons to a sports entertainment where the theatrical overshadowed the athleticism.

History

In early 2000s, a grassroots revival spearheaded by women in Austin, Texas, saw the birth of Texas Rollergirls and roller derby as a serious athletic sport.

As a nod to its history, the skaters have alter-ego names, costumes and face-paints.

The UK’s first team started in London in 2006 and roller derby is now Europe’s fastest growing female sport with games selling out to audiences of hundreds.

The documentary, “Roller Derby: Skate Fast, Hit Hard” is available on BBC iPlayer from Friday, November 20.