The Good, The Bad, The Knockouts – Roller derby in Kona


Video by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Kona was introduced to women’s roller derby Saturday night and appeared to meet with approval from several hundred people who turned to watch an Echo City Knockouts scrimmage.

The scrimmage split the nearly two dozen Knockouts into two squads – The Good Girls and The Bad Girls.

The Bad Girls jumped out in front quickly and didn’t look back, eventually winning the good-natured bout 160-143.

Even though they have tough names and were barreling into each other at full speed, the girls seemed to be enjoying their evening as much as the crowd of new fans.

Here are those tough names:

* Duck Hunt, Stunning Brutality, Sweetn’D Blow, CC En Fuego, Jambrawlaya, Glam Ur Ass, Indie Asylum, Chodown, Kootie Pie, F N Classy, Huntress Thompson, Zager Bomb, BamBootie, Lip Bomb Her, Gore Gore Galore, Tels.It.Ly.It.Iz, Spun Pyscho, Kanak Attack, Lok’d & Loaded

The Echo City Knockouts have been around for two years, co-founder and president Maui Bothelho said, and have become a familiar site at local events including parades and Peaman races, and fundraisers including March of Dimes.

However, Botelho said Saturday evening’s scrimmage was the team’s debut.

“Oh, it was amazing. A good turnout. My dream come true,” she said. “We want the people to know about us. We’re very community oriented.”

The scrimmage was a good way to bring attention to the team, Botelho said, as the season is just beginning. Bouts will be added to the schedule in the coming weeks.

Botelho said the team is hosting a meet-and-greet event 5 p.m. Thursday, March 8 at Old Kona Airport Park’s hockey rink. Team members will be available to take photos, sign autographs and talk about their team and sport.

Women ages 18 to 60+ interested in joining the Knockouts are invited to stop by and learn more.

Practice 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m.-noon Sundays at the hockey rink.

In addition to seeking new players, the team also is recruiting refs, and NSO’s (Non Skating Officials).

Echo City Knockouts (ECKO) is an organization dedicated to promoting athleticism, good sportswomanship and female empowerment through the sport of women’s flat-track roller derby. Its mission is to provide a positive environment that instills courage, integrity and mutual respect in our athletes while helping them to excel in the sport they love.

ECKO adheres to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) philosophy and is operated “by the skaters, for the skaters.”

ECKO believes women of all walks of life can be strong and independent while managing a career and personal life, and can excel in an otherwise male dominated sports world. The team committed to the growth and development of roller derby on the Big Island of Hawaii and beyond through competition and fellowship with other leagues.

It is also the team’s mission to donate volunteer time at community events and participate in the causes of charitable organizations.

— Find out more:
www.echocityknockouts.com


Photography by Brad Ballesteros | Special to Hawaii 24/7

One Response to “The Good, The Bad, The Knockouts – Roller derby in Kona”

  1. Gary Bisnow says:

    Where can I get a schedule of games to be played the remainder of the year?

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