Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls

The Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls wrap up their fourth season with their final home doubleheader at the Fargo Civic Center on Saturday, April 20.

If you’ve never been to a roller derby bout before, this one will be a great introduction to the sport, as two Fargo Moorhead teams battle a pair of South Dakota rivals.

The Fargo Moorhead Furies play the A-Town Roller Girlz from Aberdeen and the Fargo Moorhead Northern Pains take on The Sioux Falls Roller Dollz.

I started volunteering for the Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls a few years ago and it’s a privilege to work with such a dedicated, diverse and talented group of women.

The league is made up of 35 skaters who are split into three teams — The Northern Pains, The Furies, and the newest team, The Banshees.

The bout day atmosphere is electric and the competition is fierce.

Although the ladies adopt derby names and don colorful outfits on the track, this is definitely not the scripted, theatrical roller derby of the past.

It’s gritty, hard-hitting, totally addictive and totally real.

Here’s an inside look at a derby bout, featuring a few words from the Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls themselves and stunning photos by Brittany Walsh (a.k.a. Ginger Ninja of the Fargo Moorhead Banshees) of Two Birds Photography.

What do you love about being a derby girl?

“Empowerment, discipline, team unity, pushing myself beyond limits and the opportunity to revolutionize women in sports.”

– Juris Prudence, The Fargo Moorhead Northern Pains

“Because of this league, I have met people in this community from all walks of life — moms, students, teachers, women with doctorates, women that own their own businesses, artists. I love all the people I’ve met that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

-Blizzard Warning, The Fargo Moorhead Furies

“I love the camaraderie, the teamwork and growing as a person and a player. I love the athletic side of derby and getting a great workout.

Yes, it’s a sport, but we are also not limited to learning athletic abilities – we are learning valuable life skills and developing other skills and talents along the way, like leadership, teamwork and discipline.”

-Bolt Action, The Fargo Moorhead Northern Pains

“I was just thinking about a bad fall I had at practice last week and how so many of the girls came to my aid. There were at least five of them tending to me and making sure I was ok and still able to talk, see and move.

We may have differences of opinions with each other sometimes, but when we need to come together, whether for something good or bad, it’s always such a beautiful thing.”

-Aneeda Bangalot, The Fargo Moorhead Furies

“It’s like no other sport you’ve ever seen! We combine the best aspects of more traditional sports and put them on roller skates!”

-Grateful Red, The Northern Pains

“Derby is a way of life, a family, a best friend, a confidante, a sister, a mentor, an empowering force. I am not the first person to say roller derby has saved my life.

It has taught me confidence, to trust others and myself, to be a leader, a follower, a better person and a reliable resource.”

-Willow Beatin, The Furies

So bring the family, enjoy a couple beers with your friends and come to the Civic to scream with some of the best fans in the world on Saturday night.

There’ll be food, drinks and roller derby merchandise for sale as well as great music, a photo booth and plenty of hard-hitting derby action.

Wear your craziest summer or Hawaiian gear and you can score 2013-2014 Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls season tickets! Check in at the photo booth to learn how.

Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls Doubleheader Saturday, April 20 Doors at 6:30 p.m. Bout at 7 p.m. Fargo Civic Center 207 4th Street North Fargo, ND Bus: Route 11

$12 for adults $10 for college students with a valid ID $7 for kids 6-12 5 and under free

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com, at the Fargo Civic Center Box Office from noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at the door.

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