2008 Woodie Awards
Roller derby, Naptown Roller Girls still thriving in Indy
Amanda Mitchell
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
Amber Martin, aka Strawberry Jam, 32, used to roller-skate about twice a month during her early teens. Back then, she had no idea a full-contact women's sports team would one day be her brainchild. She also didn't know what an integral role those wheels she was wearing at the New Year's Lock-In would play in her future.
That future was becoming part of the Naptown Roller Girls Tornado Sirens roller derby team.
"Indy has just embraced it," Martin said of the sport. "It's really taken off!"
Martin's derby name plays on her appearance. Initially, she wanted to christen herself after Strawberry Shortcake, but that moniker was already in use. With red hair, freckles, and a sparkling personality, she does appear to be a living embodiment of the popular 1980s doll, albeit with a far better proportioned head-to-body ratio with savvier fashion sense.
Since 2001, young women across the country have developed severe cases of derby fever. The Women's Flat Track Derby Association, established in 2004, now includes 52 leagues nationwide, and most leagues have multiple teams.
Derby has also found its way to TV, print, and soon, the big screen. The 2006 A&E reality series, "Rollergirls," followed the adventures and travails of the Texas Lone Star teams.
Last year, the sport also surfaced in Young Adult fiction. "Derby Girl," by Shauna Cross, relates the tale of an angst-ridden teen who discovers the perfect outlet of expression via roller derby. A film version, directed by Drew Barrymore and starring Ellen Page of "Juno" fame, is now in pre-production.
Martin first heard about roller derby five years ago from a friend. Intrigued, she started researching the sport.
"I waited for somebody to get it going, but nothing happened," Martin recalled. "So, I just started a MySpace page to see who was interested two years ago."
Now in their second season, the Tornado Sirens have received a hearty welcome from Indianapolis. Thousands of fans, young and old, attend each bout to cheer the girls to victory. They even have their own fan club.
That future was becoming part of the Naptown Roller Girls Tornado Sirens roller derby team.
"Indy has just embraced it," Martin said of the sport. "It's really taken off!"
Martin's derby name plays on her appearance. Initially, she wanted to christen herself after Strawberry Shortcake, but that moniker was already in use. With red hair, freckles, and a sparkling personality, she does appear to be a living embodiment of the popular 1980s doll, albeit with a far better proportioned head-to-body ratio with savvier fashion sense.
Since 2001, young women across the country have developed severe cases of derby fever. The Women's Flat Track Derby Association, established in 2004, now includes 52 leagues nationwide, and most leagues have multiple teams.
Derby has also found its way to TV, print, and soon, the big screen. The 2006 A&E reality series, "Rollergirls," followed the adventures and travails of the Texas Lone Star teams.
Last year, the sport also surfaced in Young Adult fiction. "Derby Girl," by Shauna Cross, relates the tale of an angst-ridden teen who discovers the perfect outlet of expression via roller derby. A film version, directed by Drew Barrymore and starring Ellen Page of "Juno" fame, is now in pre-production.
Martin first heard about roller derby five years ago from a friend. Intrigued, she started researching the sport.
"I waited for somebody to get it going, but nothing happened," Martin recalled. "So, I just started a MySpace page to see who was interested two years ago."
Now in their second season, the Tornado Sirens have received a hearty welcome from Indianapolis. Thousands of fans, young and old, attend each bout to cheer the girls to victory. They even have their own fan club.
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