Hustlers: London or Bust

This year sees another first for Austin's Texas Rollergirls: The same league that played in the first modern flat-track Roller Derby interleague bout goes international when the Hustlers become the first U.S. team to play an intercontinental bout. They'd like your help getting there.

(Correction: As one of our eagle-eyed readers pointed out, our neighbors to the North were actually the first to take modern flat track intercontinental when Team Canada took on the Glasgow Roller Girls and the London Roller Girls in 2008: So it's double-kudos to the Brits, because this will be the first intercontinental bout since London became part of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's apprentice league program.)

In two months time, the 2009 season No. 2 team in the Austin flat-track league will be packing their trademark purple and silver for a flight across the Atlantic. They'll be lining up on the jammer line with the London Rollergirls in England on March 20. While they're over there, they will also be running boot camps and training sessions for skaters and refs from all across Europe. But flights don't come cheap, so the league is holding a series of fundraising events, kicking off tonight (Jan. 30) with a silent auction at 709 Rio Grande, running from 8pm to 11pm.

Amongst the items on the block are some choice donations from local businesses (like a Cheapo Records gift certificate and T-shirt, and dinner for four at Home Slice) as well as some must-haves for the serious skater (a full set of Pro-Designed pads and a set of Zodiac wheels complete with bearings). There's a recommended $20 admission donation, which gets you hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and entertainment (cocktail wear recommended.)

If you can't make it tonight, you can also make a PayPal donation via the Hustlers web page. You can also track their progress and follow the countdown to the big bout at their new Derby International blog.