Photos by Portneuf Valley Bruisers Facebook
Hadley Bodell
Editor in Chief
Many people have never heard of roller derby, and if they have, they’ve timidly turned their heads away from the intense-looking sport. Did you know there’s a local team here in Pocatello? The Portneuf Valley Bruisers are a competitive roller derby team traveling to other states for games (or bouts in roller derby jargon), and they’ve had some exciting updates lately.
The team is composed of women of all ages, originating from multiple Eastern Idaho towns. I chatted with Bruisers team member and spokesperson Lee Ann Waldron to get all the details on how the team is doing, what the doubleheader event at ISU means for the team, and how people can get involved with roller derby if they’re interested.
Waldron is the executive director of marketing and communications at ISU by day, but by night is an integral piece of the Bruisers roller derby squad.
Initially created in the 1930s as an incentive for people to attend the circus, roller derby featured women on roller skates performing a choreographed routine. Now, roller derby consists of two teams, each with five players on the track simultaneously.
Waldron explained, “There’s one player called a jammer, who wears a helmet cover with a star on it, and they’re the ones who can score the points. The rest of the players are blockers, and they’re trying to stop the other team’s jammer from getting past their hips.”
Some common misconceptions are “Where’s the ball?” or “Where’s the hockey stick?” But roller derby isn’t rugby on skates or floor hockey; it’s just the players’ bodies fighting against one another to score points.
The players can shove one another using their hips, shoulders, or other methods. There are fouls like other sports, such as purposefully tripping another player and causing a player to sit in the penalty box. Bouts go for two periods of 30 minutes, each with an unlimited number of two-minute rounds or “jams.” Sounds pretty brutal, right?
If this explanation has piqued your interest rather than made your jaw drop with amazement at these incredible women athletes, or maybe both, you can get involved with the Portneuf Valley Bruisers. The team is always looking for new skaters, and you don’t even need experience to join.
Waldron said, “Some of our very best skaters now had never skated before. A few times a year, we’ll have skate camps, which are open to everyone. We’ll split the group up by skill level and teach the basics of skating and how to play derby.”
Their season runs from January to October, with a break during the holidays. The team is open to anyone and everyone over the age of 18. They have spots for men, new skaters, experienced skaters, etc. More information can be found online at www.portneufvalleybruisers.com. The team also has an Instagram, Facebook, and X you can follow at Portneuf Valley Bruisers.
Recently, the team was displaced from their old facility and needed a new venue for games. They now practice at Deleta skate rink but had the unique opportunity to play in Reed’s Gym on September 28th.
The rec gym next to the rock wall was transformed using the portable track and bleachers into a bout rink for the double header event. The Bruisers got to play against the Junction City Locomotives from Ogden, followed by a game between two higher level regional teams, Wydaho vs Gold Rush.
Waldron described what attendees of roller derby events like this one should expect, saying, “It’s pretty high action and intense. You’re trying to toss people out of bounds or onto the ground. People should check out some of the high level teams on YouTube and see what roller derby is all about.”
In three words, Waldron said roller derby is “intense, physical, and inclusive.” By inclusive, she means the community of roller derby as a whole is less like opposing football teams who are at each other’s throats both on and off the field. In roller derby, Waldron said its not uncommon for both teams to get dinner together after a bout. Part of this comes from their acceptance of anyone and everyone into the sport, creating an inclusive atmosphere and supportive community.
Keep a lookout on their website and socials for the chance to see the Bruisers possibly compete at ISU again in the future. If you’re interested in joining the team or attending the skate camps this year, visit their website for more information.
