The all-female contact sport of roller derby has found its way to Israel, thanks to a group of roller-skate-clad enthusiasts in Tel Aviv. "Israeli women have what it takes," says founder Bar Eldar.
"It's friendly violence," says Thunder Girl teammate Pnina Rosendoom with a smile. "We want to score the points. It's just like any sport. We're not violent, but we do have to get confrontational."
Coach Antonia Caliboso says the team includes a cross-section of Israelis, students and career women, marrieds and singles. The sport is enjoying a revival across the world, and the Thunder Girls hope to pack Israeli arenas one day.
Referee Ofer Gvirsman (a.k.a. "Ofer My Dead Body") concurs: "We're seeing more and more chutzpah on the track every day, with every practice. I'm sure when we're at the level that we can play a full bout, we'll see a lot of chutzpah."