Oskaloosa Mayhem Girls Practice Hard And Play To Win
Oskaloosa Mayhem Girls get in some practice over the weekend.
George Toubekis, head coach of the newly formed Oskaloosa Mayhem Girls roller derby squad,and some of the veteran players from past squads invited Osky News out to a recent practice.
As soon as we arrived it was evident to us that fun and family are a focus of this group. Also evident was a strong desire to improve in their skills and to be a force in their league play.
For those not familiar, there is a Mahaska Mayhem, and the newly formed Oskaloosa Mayhem Girls (OMG). The team of last year split into two separate teams, each with their own goals and ambitions. Oskaloosa Mayhem Girls is a “new team with a fresh new start” says OMG ‘Babs’. Roller derby girls, typically, go by just their game names whether they are practicing or in a bout. They also use those names to help protect their identities during their normal “9 to 5” life when they all lead private lives with their families and friends.
OMG has taken part in one bout so far this year, with their next bout being May 7th in Davenport. The OMG home venue is the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, as it was the only place large enough to handle a roller derby and the fans that travel to watch the show. June 25th will be OMG’s home opener, and tickets will soon be available for the event.
When the Mahaska Mayhem team split into the 2 separate teams, 7 of the former squad members and just as many new faces comprise the new team of OMG. If your interested in learning more, the team will be holding a recruiting night April 23 at Hot Shotz in Oskaloosa from 9:00 p.m. until midnight. From their event page, “OMG Roller Derby team is looking for players, refs and non-skating support people. If you are interested in becoming a part of a great team, come to the recruitment party or email us at: omg.rollerderby@gmail.com.” Some of the other positions they are looking to help fill are: an announcer, a DJ and a photographer.
If your like me, you remember roller derby from back in the day on TV, and then it seemed to fade away. Today roller derby is on the rise again, and the amount of people wishing to participate is also on the rise. Women find the sport a great way to make new friends, get in shape, and be a part of a team. If you think they do this to escape their families, that is the furthest from the truth.The families go along, and they make for fun weekend getaways, with many of the family members helping out the team in various ways.
