A LITTLE MISCHIEF. Eight year-old “Little Furious Controller” appeared in front of nearly 5,000 during the Rat City Rollergirls’ first scheduled halftime at the Key Arena. She is a “Tootsy Roller.” Her mother, “Selma Soul,” a Rat City Rollergirl from Ballard, was on hand to coach her and other little skaters.
Not often does the halftime show steal the stage, but the 6 to 11 year-old “Tootsy Rollers” did their best during Season five, Bout two of the Rat City Rollergirls roller derby competition at Key Arena March 7.
The second match of the season took place one month to the day after the Rollergirls opened their 2009 season skating for the first time at the Key Arena.
Many of the nearly 5,000 fans in attendance sported mushy grins as the charming little Tootsy Rollers rolled onto the track at halftime in the first of two competitions. They belong to the Seattle Derby Brats, which also has a slightly older Junior League of 11 to 17 year olds. The Junior League rolled out at halftime between the two competitions.
While not quite as rough-and tumble-as their grownup counterparts, the little ones seemed tenacious and took a few gentle spills.
Rat City Rollergirl and Ballard resident, Monique Heineman, a.k.a. “#666, Selma Soul,” helped coach her daughter, Chloe, 8, a.k.a. “#99, Little Furious Controller,” and others for the team “Turquoise Terror.” They were up against the other Tootsy Rollers team, Orange Crush.
“It is really exciting watching the Tootsy Rollers develop into athletes, and develop a sense of comradery,” said Chloe’s mother with pride. “They’re making friends for the rest of their lives.
Orange Crush won, 43-33, but the grown-up fans seemed less interested in the score and more interested in the mischievous pre-teens circling the track trying to look like the big girls.
