With jammers, blockers and pivots, it sounds more like American Football than roller skating; but the sport of Roller Derby is fast growing in popularity all over the world. Although played by some males, the sport is dominated by females, and the culture that surrounds it goes further than just the Derby, but encompasses fashion, friendship and showmanship (or should that be showwomanship?) as much as the competition itself.

Like other more alternative sports such as skateboarding, Roller Derby comes with a whole image, and is as much about show as it is skill. Players dress in fishnet stockings, pop socks, hot pants and a helmet, and team-player nicknames such as 'Metal Momma', 'Cherry Bomber' and 'Sister Sledgehammer' are a must.

The sport has been described as the perfect combination of femininity and violence, and the fact that Roller Derby is dominated by feisty females has made it a magnet for many male fans. Like female mud wrestling, there is a certain attraction of watching the girls get rough with each other, and players have described themselves as being "tough and skull cracking, but sexy at the same time".

The term 'Roller Derby' can been traced back to as far as 1922, when it was used by a local paper to describe an event held in an old warehouse behind a hotel in Chicago, that hosted the first known flat track multi-day roller skating races. However, this event was very different to what is called Roller Derby today and bears few similarities other than the name.

The sport has also been praised for helping women to become more confident, and increase their self esteem by getting them involved in a powerful, all girl environment. The Roller Derby scene is also closely linked with the music scene, with bands often performing before and after the action, and Derby Girls are known for enjoying a good party after the game. Part of its popularity has been attributed to its nostalgic appeal for women in their late 20s and 30s who can still remember roller-skating discos of the past. Others are the type of girls who were never interested in volleyball or cheerleading, but are attracted by the skater-punk persona of a Roller Girl.

Though born in Chicago, Roller Derby has since spread it wings far and wide, with leagues popping up all over the world, in Japan, Australia and the UK; there are even rumours circulating of a new Roller Derby movie starting Drew Barrymore in the making, proving that its popularity is more than a passing fad.

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