The members of the Warrin’ Wrecking Dolls have begun practices for the roller derby season which begins in May.

According to team president Tabitha Ross, the Wrecking Dolls are going through a rebuilding period.

The team did not fold.

“We did take a big hit with COVID. Some of our skaters found new interests — kind of went on to different things in life. So we’re rebuilding as a team, trying to get more skaters, and get our fan base out. A lot of our fans kind of thought we folded with COVID,” Ross said.

Kiley Spicer - Punk N Spice

There are currently 20 members, and Ross said, the team is looking for members and volunteers.

“So anyone can join as a member, we have different parts of our league that they can be a member so you can be a skater. You could be a referee, okay. You could be a non skating official. Okay. And we also have volunteer positions within the league that help out with various tasks, sometimes a lot of the out behind the scenes. OK, so we try and meet the needs of everyone that might be looking to join,” Ross said.

Ross added that the most unque aspect about the team is the sisterhood.

“We’ve become really close. And we can push each other to different levels work with each other. We encourage each other,” Ross noted.

The team website, warrinwreckingdolls.weebly.com, said new skaters are always welcome, and skating experience is not required. The Wreckin’ Dolls practice at the Russell Roller Rink.

Jami Kramer - Ariel Attack

“Those who are interested may observe league practices and participate in four practices before deciding if roller derby is the sport for them. In order to scrimmage or bout, skaters must pass a basic skills assessment that include skills like blocking, hitting, stops, and turning around. To help new skaters master these required skills, we offer regular training opportunities where we teach you everything you’ll need to know to pass.

After passing assessments, you become eligible to skate during league scrimmages, as well as become eligible to bout,” the website said.

The Wrecking Dolls team is a member-operated all-women’s team in a roller derby league in Western Pennsylvania. The Warren-based team plays comptetive roller derby under the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) guidelines. The team was formed in 2015, and in 2016, it began its first season of competitive play.

“My favorite part is the physical contact. I like being able to come here and get my aggression out. I like hitting, but also, I can push myself, OK. There’s always new skills and new things to work on, so there’s always room for growth,”Ross added.

Tabitha Ross - Tabulous

According to The Women’s Flat Track Association, wftda.com, the game of Flat Track Roller derby is played in a flat, oval track. Play is broken up into two 30-minute periods, and within those periods, into units of play called jams, which last up to two minutes. There are 30 seconds between each jam.

During a jam, each team fields up to five skaters. Four of these skaters are called blockers (together, the blockers are called the pack), and one is called a jammer. All of the skaters wear protective gear including helmets. The jammer wears a helmet cover with a star on it.

The two jammers start each jam behind their packs, and score a point for every opposing blocker they lap, each lap. Because they start behind the pack, they must get through the pack, then all the way around the track to be eligible to score points on opposing blockers, the site said.

Roller derby is a full-contact sport, and skaters can’t use their heads, elbows, forearms, hands, knees, lower legs or feet (skates) to make contact to opponents. Play that is unsafe or illegal may result in skater being assessed a penalty, which is served by sitting in the penalty box for 30 seconds of jam time. The team with the most points at the end of a bout wins.

One former member, who took some time off to have a child, is looking to lace up her skates, and get back on the track. So, outside of the Wrecking Dolls, she is a pharmacy technician and Warren State Hospital, and a full-time mom. Her time is so valuable, so Jami Kramer, does not want to spread herself to thin.

Natasha Sundquist - NaSquashya

“That’s the scariest thing about coming back. Where am I going to find the time as a full time working mom? But once I get back into it, I’m gonna feel so accomplished. It’s like I did it. I can do it,” Kramer said.

And the women have different personas or alter egos. They women can be protray other characters, and it’s a chance for them to get creative. Kramer’s alternate persona is “Ariel Attack,” and Ross’s alternate persona is “Tabulous.” Other alternate personas include Allison Freeman – “Frau Rollin,” Natasha Sundquist– “NaSquashya,” Kiley Spicer — “Punk N Spice,” Jessica Arnold — “Suzy Bonebreaker,” and Brittany See — “Brittany Smears.”

“I also kind of like the alternate persona that I can hide behind that and create this whole character and play off of it,” Kramer noted.