The Charlotte Roller Girls are busy putting the final touches on its Battle of the Ages: Cougars vs. Kittens bout being held at the Grady Cole Center on December 6. This fan appreciation bout is the final home event of the 2009 season and will seek to answer the question – youth or experience? The league has been split into two teams based upon age. Those aged 33 and under will make up the Kittens while those 34 and older will be the Cougars.
This event has been designed to give back to roller derby fans who have supported the Charlotte league since its inception in 2006. The first 100 fans will receive an autographed Charlotte Roller Girls photo. Special prizes and swag will be distributed throughout the evening and ticket prices for this bout have been lowered. All adult tickets are $10, instead of the customary $14 at the door, while all kids tickets are $5. Ticket sales have been brisk and fans are urged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid being shut out.
With 29 Charlotte Roller Girls competing, the Cougars are wearing black uniforms to distinguish them from the Kittens who will be adorned in purple.
“It’s only fitting that the Cougars will be in black,” said Haley Blaska aka Amy Fister, captain of the Kittens. “It is after all the color of death and most of those old lady Cougars already have one foot in the grave.”
During the evening, fans will also see a brief exhibition between the referees and the stars of the Charlotte Roller Girls.
“We constantly tease the refs about how we are better at roller derby than they are,” said Cress Barnes aka Lucy Kwipment, captain of the Cougars. “One of them got the bright idea to challenge us to a few jams so we took them up on it. They are fantastic skaters but roller derby is more than just skating. I heard they were taking pointers from the Kittens so we aren’t worried.”
Doors open at 5:15 p.m. with the bout starting at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at here or in person at The Common Market. The Grady Cole Center is located at 310 N. Kings Drive. Access to the after party event, held at the Dilworth Neighborhood Grille 911 E. Morehead Street, is included with the purchase of every adult ticket.
