Roller derby may be considered a fringe sport, but there is nothing fuzzy about the focus of the Whidbey Island Roller Girls.

“Our mission is to empower women to become strong, knowledgeable athletes,” Mary Arthur, spokesperson for the team, said. “We support the community through volunteer activities with the Boys and Girls Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and sponsor a scholarship to an Oak Harbor High School senior girl pursuing a degree in a sports medicine-related field.”

The Roller Girls are in their ninth season, and their members, who range in age from the early 20s to the late 50s, represent a cross section of careers: teachers and school employees, active military duty, dog groomers, occupational therapists and professionals from other areas.

The team is skater-owned.

After competing in the Roller Barn in the past, the squad is playing several matches in the Oak Harbor High School field house this spring, including its final two home matches: Saturday, May 18, with Rodeo City Rollergirls from Ellensburg and Saturday, June 8, with the Willamette Kidney Thieves from Oregon.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the bouts begin at 6.

The recipient of this year’s scholarship will be recognized at halftime of the June 8 contest.

The Roller Girls will also play in the Reign of Pain Tournament in Centralia over the Memorial Day weekend.