A unique sporting event is set to take place in Norwich this weekend when the Norfolk Brawds – a team of feisty rollerskaters – host the county's first ever roller derby.
The event, which is being held on Saturday at the UEA Sportspark, will see the Brawds going head to head against the Romsey Town Roller Billies.
The team of skaters wear sailor suits and red shorts as a uniform, which is sponsored by Lowestoft band The Darkness, and abandon their names in favour of alter-egos such as Dinah Mighty.
Team player Rosie Sturman, whose skating name is Rose Madder, said: 'The sport is a bit like rugby without the ball and on rollerskates – there's a lot of tactics involved.
It's a first for Norfolk. We've held roller derbys before but they weren't open to the public. We are all really excited about it.
'Roller derby makes for an incredibly fun day out and we plan on making our first outing in Norwich an extra special one.'
She said that they are expecting around 200 spectators.
The Norfolk Brawds began in 2010 with a handful of women on skates teaching themselves the basics of roller derby.
In just two years the league has now grown to more than 40 skaters including a full team which spends up to nine hours a week training at Funky Monkeys and Open Academy.
A roller derby match or 'Bout' is played by two teams of 14. Play consists of a series of short matches called jams in which both teams skate around an oval with a player scoring points by lapping members of the opposing team. Each team assist their own skater by blocking and hindering the opponent.
Events are themed and people are encouraged to dress up. For the weekend's bout the theme is Queens of the Track – We Will Block You.
On the day there will be food, drink, licenced bar and a raffle. The Brawds will also be serving their very own Bonny's Gold, a real ale brewed specially for them by Norwich's Golden Triangle Brewery.
The Bout is being held at the UEA Sportspark on Saturday from 12.15pm.
Tickets available on the door or in advance from norfolkbrawds.com/ tickets
Do you take part in an unusual sport? Contact Evening News reporter Lucy Wright on 01603 772439 or email lucy.wright@archant.co.uk
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