Motley Crew members give the crowd high fives after winning the first home roller derby match for Rotorua. Photo/Stephen Parker
Roller derby made its debut in Rotorua with a sell-out crowd and a home win, leaving fans with a taste for more.
The Slam Rock event at the Southern Trust Sportsdrome in Rotorua on Saturday featured a match between Motley Crew of Rotorua and Iron Maidens from Mt Maunganui in front of a crowd of about 600.
Organiser and Motley Crew bench manager Layla Robinson said the night exceeded all expectations.
"It was just as exhilarating to watch as it was to play," Ms Robinson said.
"That's how most of us got the bug - we watched it and wanted to play. We've had lots of positive feedback from people who want to get involved. The crowd was so energetic and I've never seen so many people doing a Mexican wave at a Rotorua sporting event. Everyone was stomping their feet and chanting for us."
She said she had been told Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick also enjoyed her first taste of roller derby.
The Labour Party's Rotorua candidate Tamati Coffey was MC for the night, dressed as Freddie Mercury and using the pseudonym MC Coffinator.
Tickets sold out with four days to go and Ms Robinson said they would now work on planning another event, with the Sportsdrome cited as the ideal venue for fans and players.
Image 1 of 15: Motley Crew's Hazzard Belle, top, and Prof. Anna. T. below. (both wearing pink
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Motley Crew's next match is against the Pirate City Rollers in Auckland next month.
There will be a Freshmeat day at the Waiariki Recreation Centre on August 18 for prospective club members.
The holiday park says staff pick up a bag of rubbish a day from the carpark opposite.
