The Bone City Rollers roller derby team are the new team on the block in Warsaw, but not intimidated by anyone. (Photo by David Davison)

WARSAW – It’s hard to get noticed when starting from the bottom up. Even tougher, when there is already something similar to the product being promoted, and the original entity is still relatively unknown.

Welcome to the life of the Bone City Rollers. A spawn from the initial roller derby team in Warsaw, the Lake City Roller Dolls, Bone City developed with very little fanfare last fall. In an effort to use its philanthropic measures as its main promotional tool, Bone City was created from a core of original Roller Dolls, and its intentions remain true from day one of its infancy.

Members of the Bone City Rollers block a jammer during the February bout with Dire Skates of Richmond. (Photo by David Davison)

“Our biggest challenge from the start was numbers,” said BCR founder Megan Dinse, who also helped form the Lake City team. “We’re just trying to get the name around right now, but working on finding girls who are dedicated to the sport and the organizations that we want to help. Warsaw is a small town already, now there are two derby teams.

“The vibes are different,” Dinse continued. “We acknowledge the Lake City team. We want people that fit in with what we’re looking for. We want serious athletes that genuinely care about the community we serve.”

Bone City’s work with the community is what Dinse has forged since the organization formed last November. Pairing with Fellowship Missions as well as the Heartline Pregnancy Center in Warsaw, BCR have two groups that receive not only monetary support, but the time from every member of the roster. BCR have also contributed to other area groups such as concession work at Boggs Park, the Animal Welfare League, Lake City Animal Clinic, Rudy’s Dog Park and will work concessions this weekend at the Warsaw Air Show.

Dinse ideally would like 20 skaters for the team, and as of early August the roster had 14 healthy individuals. This Saturday, the team will hit the road for a date with the South Shore Roller Girls in Hammond, and Sept. 6, the team will host its first official home bout when Richmond’s Dire Skates come calling.

The Rollers will also be skating Aug. 29 at a local gas station in helping promote the home bout. Pumping gas and washing windows in skates, the girls will be at the Marathon on US 30 in Warsaw from 4-8 p.m.

Dire Skates was the first team BCR ever faced back in February, and have since taken on the Terrorz of Tiny Town from Columbus and Gem City of Dayton, Ohio. One of BCR’s perks for catching a home bout is ticket prices are always set at $5, and proceeds are donated to Heartline.

“We are really excited for our first home bout,” Dinse said. “We had our first couple of bouts on the road, and it’s tough to play at someone else’s place when we’re just getting started.”

To date, the Bone City Rollers have provided over 100 hours of community service, over $500 in supplies and over $400 in cash toward its charity ventures.

When asked about splitting the town with the Lake City Roller Dolls, which includes usage of Hansen’s Eastlake Skate Center, Dinse said promotion has been tough. While a good portion of Warsaw has heard of the Roller Dolls, many still have not. So explaining both exist in a sport foreign to most is an ongoing mission. But what are the chances of the two Warsaw-based teams playing against each other in the near future, or working the same promotions for the good of the sport?

“We don’t have any plans to work with the other team in the immediate future,” stated Dinse.

The Bone City Rollers are still seeking serious skaters to join the club, and hold practices Mondays and Thursdays at Eastlake. The cost is $5 and open to anyone regardless of skating experience.

For more information on the Bone City Rollers, visit bonecityrollers.com, find them on Facebook or search Bone City Rollers on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.