Gallatin Roller Girlz home bout season kicks off June 15
Gallatin Roller Girlz, Southwest Montana’s Roller Derby League
Ten women roll onto the concrete donning quad skates, padding and helmets and settle into formation. The jam countdown begins – three…two…one…and they’re off.
The jammers blast into the scrum from behind, battling their way through the pack. Teammates help their own jammer if they can, and block the opposing jammer by throwing hip checks and body blocks. Points are awarded after the first lap for each opposing team member they pass.
It’s fast and intense – like playing life size chess while bricks are being thrown at you.
This is flat track roller derby in southwest Montana, and the Gallatin Roller Girlz, are lacing up their skates to kickoff their second home-bout season with four events this summer, held at the Haynes Pavilion at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.
June 15 features S*M*A*S*H, a military-themed bout and tribute to the men and women fighting for America. The Girlz will be challenging the Deadly Ghosts from Casper, Wyo., and a portion of bout proceeds will benefit Warriors and Quiet Waters, a nonprofit Bozeman foundation that offers fly fishing as therapy for wounded servicemen and women.
On July 13 the Montucky Derby, a Kentucky Derby-themed event, pits the Trauma Queens against the Twisted Sisters. A portion of proceeds from this bout will benefit Bozeman-based radio station, KGLT-FM.
The Girlz will host Bismarck-Mandan Bombshellz on Aug. 10, at Summer Shovin’, a 1950s Grease-themed bout, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Bozeman Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program.
On Aug. 24, the season culminates with Leather and Laces – a 1980s hairband-themed bout – where the Girlz will host Helena’s Hel’z Belles. A portion of proceeds will benefit Gallatin Valley Land Trust.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and bouts start at 8 p.m. After-parties to follow. Last season, each of the Girlz bouts sold out, and the league recommends pre-purchasing tickets.
Gallatin Roller Girlz are southwestern Montana’s women’s flat track roller derby league and are a federal 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to the empowerment of individuals through the sport of roller derby. For more information and to buy tickets, visit grgderby.com.
