When the Terminal City Rollergirls launched their first expansion team earlier this year, the unveiling of Public Frenemy also came with a bold prediction.
The Championship Bout would see the new team on the block, Public Frenemy, taking on the Faster Pussycats, who had never won a game against a team in their league.
Call it the roller derby equivalent to Joe Namath’s infamous Superbowl III guarantee, but the seemingly-impossible prediction made on a cold November night at the Cobalt has come to pass ten months later, after a roller-coaster of a roller derby season that all ends this Saturday.
For the first time in league history, the Championship Bout won’t be between the Bad Reputations and Riot Girls. Instead, it will feature an anticipated throw-down between a team that – in its five-year history -- has never made it to the finals, and an expansion team that will be fielded almost entirely with rookies.
Public Frenemy’s captain and co-founder, risquée biznatch was on stage that night when her team’s coach, Boombox Saint, made the championship prediction.
“At the time, I was certain the Faster Pussycats would be playing for first -- that I knew. However, call me a skeptic, I didn't think we would be as well,” said the captain, who hadn’t even drafted her squad at the time of the announcement.
“We definitely chatted about the possibility even before the unveiling, so the seed was planted in our brains, “ added Snatchy, “And I think with how things worked out that night, Boombox Saint was ready to start up the rivalry and set the record straight that this team is gonna be out to play for first.”
But there wasn’t much of a rivalry between the two teams when they first met in March. The Faster Pussycats held Frenemy scoreless for the first half of the game, and they closed out the bout at 116-46. After five years in the league, the Faster Pussycats had their first victory against a TCRG team and they were just getting started.
The Faster Pussycats have always been the league’s perpetual underdog, but they’ve been getting stronger each year, drafting a solid core of players in Season 3, and adding to it in Season 4. Now, they have a roster that’s battle-proven and includes a handful of TCRG All-Stars.
Andi Struction has been with the team from the beginning and seen the team go through many changes.
“I do remember that the Season 1 Pussycats used to take smoke breaks mid-practice and do shots of whiskey right before a bout, so that didn't fare too well,” said Andi. “But now we're healthy and fit, and all of us are willing to do what it takes to win…We also have done a lot of bonding over the last year and become incredibly close as a team, which I think really helps us on the track. We're like sisters out there, reading each others minds and taking care of each other.”
The FPC followed up their first league-win with their biggest victory of the year, knocking off three-time champs, the Bad Reputations, 139-97, and cementing their status as Season 5 contenders for the championships. They completed their undefeated regular season with a 149-53 win against the Riot Girls.
After their first game loss against FPC, Public Frenemy came back strong against a rebuilding Riot Girls, also full of rookies, with an impressive 135-53 win. One of the biggest shocks of the season came months later when Public Frenemy beat defending champs, the Bad Reps, 164-96.
Last month’s semi-finals pitted the Frenemy and the Bad Reps against each other again, and it wasn’t just the opportunity of going to the finals that was at stake. Three of Public Frenemy’s veterans were ex-Bad Reps, including risqué biznatch, and this was a chance to stop their old team from going to the championships.
Public Frenemy’s tight work in the pack, along with their “nothing to lose” attitude dominated the Bad Reps. Now the team with nothing to lose is one bout away from winning it all.
After an almost miraculous season, Public Frenemy will have to overcome another hurdle to get to the championship trophy. Co-captian Collide-O-Scope Kid and captain risqué bizatch -- two of their four veterans – won’t be competing in the final bout. The rookies are going to have the perfect opportunity to show the Faster Pussycats how much they’ve improved this year.
“I am beyond sad that I will not be present at this bout, “said Snatchy.
“However, in knowing that I wasn't going to be there, I have tried to train them to the best of my abilities, and my absence will only bring this team closer together, and stronger. With both Collide-O-Scope Kid and I not actually skating in this bout, it truly will be a rookie-strong team playing. Regardless of the outcome of this game, I couldn't be more proud of such an amazing team.”
On the other side of the coin, Andi Struction has her own thoughts on finally seeing her team in the championship match.
“Personally, making it to the finals is incredibly meaningful,” said Struction.
“Outside of my marriage and my career, roller derby is my passion, and I've been working my tail off for five years! As an original Pussycat, I have so much time and love invested in this team, and to finally hoist that shiny piece of glass over my head will make all of the sweat and injuries and sacrifices worthwhile. It's going to be emotional!”
Even though Frenemy’s captain can’t make it to the Championship Bout, she was able to offer a prediction of how she thinks it will turn out:
“I think it is a perfect match-up. The Faster Pussycats are going to go out strong, as are Public Frenemy. I think the two teams have a very similar style of play. Controlled, focused, and oriented around communication and teamwork.”
Another thing the two teams have in common is their ability to whip the crowd into frenzy. Public Frenemy has been packing the bleachers with green and orange-clad fans all season, and aside from being underdogs on the rise, the Faster Pussycats have been setting crowds on fire with their crazily choreographed intros, set to Journey’s magical power ballad, ”Don’t Stop Believin’.”
While the battle may start with the fans at Kerrisdale this Saturday, it’ll all end on the flat-track with one team holding up the league’s trophy, the Mercury Shield, for the very first time.
Doors open at 5 pm and first whistle is at 6pm on Saturday at Kerrisdale Arena. The Bad Reputations and Riot Girls will be starting off the night with a grudge match for 3rd place. Tickets are $15 in advance at Flaming Angels (4307 Main St) or online at Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets at the door are $20. Kids 6-12 are $10 and 5 and under are free. Go to terminalcityrollergirls.com for more info.
