Tel Aviv hosts first roller derby

Israel held its first Roller Derby on Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

The game, labeled as a “contact sport played by women to empower women,” has more than 1,000 active leagues around the globe.

The event featured contestants such as “Barth Vader” from the Tel Aviv Thunder Girls, coach “Rand McNasty” and “Pnina Rosendoom.”

McNasty, known in other circles as Jamie Martin, said engaging in this sport makes her proud to be a woman.

Tamar Engelstein, aka “Kim Kill,” explained why she likes the derby. One can be any color, age or size — and still play. “It’s not like you have a stigma,” she said.

Coach Antonia Caliboso, who goes by the name “Matzokisstic,” believes that while the Israeli roller derby scene is just getting started, the motivation of the women involved could bring it to world cup level within a few years.