Fox Cityz Foxz show their stuff

APPLETON - "Everybody loves derby, what's not to like," said Delonna Kaufman, Fox Cityz Foxz founder.

That's at least what 50 women in the Fox Valley are thinking.

"I've always been an aggressive type girl, so I said to my friend wouldn't it be fun to play roller derby," said Kaufman.

So that's exactly what Delonna Kaufman did, founding the Fox Valley's first-ever roller derby league, the Fox Cityz Foxz.

"It's not fake like pro wrestling," said Roxxy Rage, a Fox Cityz Foxz competitor. "It's not like what people saw on TV years ago. We do play it as a real sport. There's a national governing body and we follow their rules."

And these women have to put in work before they can even get to skating. Laying the flat track before each practice.

"Even the work of putting down the floor doesn't scare them off," said Kaufman.

Nor does picking a roller derby name, even though it must be unique.

"I bounced around a lot of names, asked some friends," said Rage. "I had a long list. I wasn't struck by a thunder bolt. It wasn't an inspiration from God."

After that it's time to develop your derby skills. Blocking for your teammates or scoring points as the jammer. Regardless of your position, safety is paramount.

"You're getting hit hard out there, so you want to know what you're doing and how to protect yourself," said Kaufman.

Bumps and bruises aside, these ladies want to win.

"You have to have a competitive edge to want to hit girls, knock girls down, get in their way," said Rage. "You have to have a special something in you."

When the final whistle blows, these Foxz are proud of each other, and they're proud of their sport.