No horse play here... Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

By Jaymie Baxley

Since forming in late 2006, Fayetteville’s Rogue Roller Girls have become a formidable presence in the national roller derby circuit. Despite this, most locals perceive the girls as physically repressed stay at home mothers jonsing for some extracurricular hobby a little more thrilling than pilates. This preconception couldn’t be further from the truth according to team treasurer and player Mary Jane Achey. “We’re not bored house wives, we’re all very passionate about this.”

Achey, who skates under the charming alias “Slipknot,” is the team’s eldest player and has been pivotal in the group’s transition from recreational curiosity to major industry presence.

“Back when I started, we didn’t have budgets or anything. Now we’re pulling a profit,” she said. “We run more like a professional business now. Don’t get me wrong, we still go out and party. Things are just much more …coordinated now. ”

While it’s unlikely that anyone would confuse the suggestively clad roller girls for brownie scouts, some might presuppose that they don’t possess the inherent tenacity or psychical drive to be as savage as male athletes. Darci Kearn, who dabbles in various positions under the alias “TriixE Titanium,”  stresses the contrary: “The draw for most of us is in the physicality of the sport. I mean, the more aggressive you are, the better,” said Kearn. “In any other sport you’d get in trouble for that.”

She added that it’s not uncommon for skaters to stagger away from bouts with bloody noises or inflated lips.
It’s never a smart idea to judge a book by it’s cover, especially if that book has fists and doesn’t like the way your teeth are arranged.

Photos by Raul Rubiera Jr. www.RaulRubiera.com

“I think a lot of people assume we’re a bunch of whores. While we do wear scandalous outfits, most of us have jobs and children,” said pivot player Shantell Saulsbury, AKA “Southern Hail.” “We’re each more socially open around the rink, more extroverted in that context. People on the outside probably think I’m a square. ”

“Most people think we’re a bunch of trouble makers or ruckus raisers,” added team mate Ilene Henderson. “People base what they see off TV shows and movies.”.

“I had wanted to do this for three years,” said petite, 23-year-old Stephanie Teeple, the team’s youngest player. A few months back, Teeple conjured the nerve to participate in one of the group’s open practices. Endorphins were loosed, knees were scraped and Teeple never looked back.

“I’m looking forward to my first bout but I am nervous,” she said.

She has good reason to be. For all the baseless misconceptions people may have about her team, one rumor remains a safe bet: Hell hath no fury like a woman in roller skates.

Rouge Rollergirls Schedule (all bouts take occur at Round-a-Bout, 880 Elm Street- Eutaw ):

March 27, 2010
vs. Greenville Derby Dames

April 10, 2010
vs. DC Rollergirls

May 1, 2010

vs. Hard Knox Rollergirls

June 12, 2010
vs. Capefear Rollergirls

July 24, 2010

vs. Richmond Derby Demons

September 4, 2010
vs. Carolina Hurticanes