IF you're ever at Bayswater Roller City and you see the Hardline Harriets training, here's a tip - get out of their way!

The Harriets are the newest roller derby team in town, established just three months ago, and they're getting ready to tackle the big league.

Coach James Dean has been training roller derby teams for six years and loves the sport because of the freedom it gives players.

"Those who wouldn't normally be involved with a sport come along and they love it."

Dean, 26, has a dancing and in-line hockey background so combining the two was a perfect combination for him.

Roller derby sees two teams with five people each on the track - four in the pack and one 'jammer' for each team. The aim is for the jammer to break through the pack, and each time they pass an opponent they get a point.

Dean describes it as "speed skating" with full contact and a sport in which women of any size can get involved.

"If you're big and solid, you'll be able to knock someone down, but if you're small you can move quite quickly. We can always find a position for someone."

Roller derby is perceived as being violent, particularly after the movie Whip It, but Dean says it's just like any other sport.

"We get a lot of ankle injuries, and wrists as well. Participants need to build up muscle and their bone structure."

To read the full story written by Tara McGrath at the Knox Weekly click here.