BY day Melissa Wink is a tattoo artist but as soon as her skates are laced she transforms into her nickname ‘Sadistic Smell’.
The Newport resident is part of the Westside Derby Dollz, a roller derby league based in West Footscray.
As well as stage-like nicknames the co-ed league and only one of its kind in the West, are accustomed to wearing sparkly hotpants and colourful leggings – all in the name of sport.
Ms Wink, who joined the league eight months ago, is in the ‘white star’ category a step up from ‘fresh meat’, which are brand new players.
“Straight away when I saw it I knew what I wanted to do it. I went to fresh meat intake and haven’t looked back since.”
Ms Wink said the “wow” factor she gets when she tells people she is a derby doll is quickly turned to concern about injuries.
But Ms Wink quickly learnt that, like any sport, injuries are possible but precautions are taken to avoid them.
“I didn’t realise how much training and fitness was involved. It’s very technical.”
“You learn all stops, the correct way to skate. How to be a safe skater and not to injure other skaters. We have levels for everyone’s safety and for your own.”
Ms Wink said the best side of derby, apart from the fun, is making friends.
“The amount of friends I’ve made by joining the team is amazing.”
She encouraged anyone interested to come down and give it a go.
“We are competitive and each week you are excited to push yourself to try something new.”
The league was founded in 2010 and has expanded rapidly over the past year with around 70 members.
It is made up of teachers, government workers, small business owners, scientists, parents, artists, students – all from the Western Suburbs.
Westside Derby Dollz is holding its fresh meat recruitment drive on March 6. For more information contact freshmeat@westsidederbydollz.org.au
