Dames Power Over Kahnawake Wagon Burners

In the first match of the season, the Cornwall Power Dames won at 262 to the Kahnawake Wagon Burners 105. With the revival of an 80's and 90's staple of entertainment, roller derby has since seen a national resurgence of newly formed teams and leagues across the United States and Canada. Most teams and leagues are DIY, a do-it-yourself team formed by the sheer need to give a hit and take a hit. The Cornwall Power Dames are a not-for-profit team where teammates take turns running the scoreboard, taking tickets at the entrance, or providing essential advice to new teammates on how not to get hurt – badly.

If you never figured out how the game was played back then and are still wondering now here it goes. In short; there are 8 players skating on 4-wheel roller blades all skating in one direction. They wear elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards and helmets and for some teams – not much else. The players play both offense and defense simultaneously. In the front are the blockers with two jammers trailing behind, but whose single goal is to skate through their teammates, then through their opponents to score a goal. This sounds easy enough until you realize you have 8 other players trying to stop you from scoring.

And it doesn't help when two players are wearing stars on their helmets to signify they are the players who can score – and the opponent you want to stop! The game is two – thirty minute halves that run 2 minute "jams." When a lead "Jammer" (the skater with the star on her helmet) puts her hands on her hips the play stops and starts again in 30 seconds. Players can stop the opposing player by blocking them by whatever means, but they cannot "elbow, trip, back-block or pass out of bounds." If you do you will find yourself in the penalty box.

Alicia Herne, a local player on the Cornwall Power Dames started this season without any former experience in an individual or sport team. She finds the practice a great workout and a "thrill to cruise around the track". Herne said she, "rarely leaves a practice without a bruise," but finds the entire experience of playing on a roller derby team exciting, and with each practice she is learning something new.

The Cornwall Power Dames started their second season on April 19, 2014 at the Anowara:kowa Arena. The formal season opener is May 31, 2014 and the season runs until the end of August. You can find their finalized team roster and schedule on their website: http://www.cornwallpowerdames.com