Brooklyn roller derby league delivers crash course on inclusivity

Hundreds of skaters, support staff and fans flood LeFrak Center at Lakeside skating rink in Prospect Park for some good-natured, if not hard-hitting, Saturday night fights.

Gotham Roller Derby skater Violet Knockout loves the "full-contact sport on roller skates." She explains how the sport is "five-on-five on the track, with two point-scorers," before giving us a crash course at the league's double-header pitting teams from Brooklyn against the Bronx, and Manhattan against Queens.

League president Chuggs Brewkowski describes it as "playing offense and defense at the same time. Where there's two people with the opportunity to score at the same time."

Many of the skaters will tell you that inclusion is the real name of the game here.

Manhattan Mayhem veteran Kill Valentine thinks that part of the reason the sport has gotten so popular in New York City is because "any body type can be successful. I think it really brings out the athleticism in a whole lot of different people."

And if the hits seem too hard, there are plenty of support roles to get involved with. "We have non-skating officials, we have volunteer spots, we have so many things that, if you don't want to skate you can still be a part of this and still be enveloped in our community."

Now, Gotham Roller derby needs a new home. In a town known for its toughness, these rowdy rollers are on the hunt for a permanent space to practice and play.

For information about Gotham Roller Derby or to help the league find a place to play head to the website gothamrollerderby.com.