https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sports/2010-07-24/roller-derby-update-7-24-10/

Roller Derby Update: 7/24/10

By Richard Whittaker, July 24, 2010, 2:09pm, The Score

Another double-header weekend for Roller Derby fans, as the Texas Rollergirls finish up their home season while the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls roll on.

First up, the Lonestar ladies hit the banked track for a match-up between the Holy Rollers and the Rhinestone Cowgirls. With the Cowgirls going 0-2 so far this season, they'll be looking for a little redress, but the Rollers will want to add another one to their win column after their squeaker May victory over the Hellcats. The bout is tonight, July 24, at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs (doors 6pm, whistle 7pm.) Tickets available now for $13 or $15 at the door, but if you can't make it, the entire bout will be streamed live via Ustream.

But don't scream your lungs out yet: Save some energy for Sunday night, when the Texas Rollergirls bring their 2010 home season to a close with their championship bout. You can read more about it in this week's issue, but the championship bout between two-time champs the Hotrod Honeys and the resurgent Hustlers, as well as the Hell Marys/Honky Tonk Hearbreakers bronze medal playoff, should make for unmissable derby. The Hustlers will be feeling good going into this one, coming off the back of handing down a 294-30 beatdown to Houston's Burlesque Brawlers on July 17, while the Heartbreakers came back from Oklahoma on July 16 with a 156-57 victory over Oklahoma City Roller Derby. The shape of things to come, or the last stop before upset city?

The bout takes place Sunday, July 25 at Playland Skate Center, 8822 McCann Drive: First whistle at 7pm, doors 6.30pm. Tickets available online or at Playland, Rio Rita, and Cheapo Discs. $12 advance, $15 on the door. Oh, and apparently some writer from some local publication will be the celebrity whistle blower.

So what else is happening in the derby world?

Of course, this is nowhere near the end of the flat track season. There's another home bout on August 22, then the Texecutioners touring team will have their eyes firmly on the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's South Central regionals in Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 8-10, and, beyond that, nationals in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 5-7.

Speaking of the WFTDA, the latest round of apprentice leagues has been released. The first 11 leagues to graduate the program went up to full WFTDA status back in June, so that's a sign that this intra-league mentoring program really pays off.

The WFTDA is holding series of referee clinics around the nation. Like any sport, Roller Derby can live and die by good reffing. So while the refs should be applauded for being all-volunteer, double-kudos for this next step in ensuring quality officiating at all events.

Speaking of officiators, this week's WFTDA featured player is The Prosecutor. A Houston skater, she's also a regular whistle blower at TXRG events.

As always, see you on turn two.