Women's 2015 roller derby playoffs in Dearborn Heights this weekend

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Women from all over the world are in metro Detroit this weekend for roller derby playoffs.

The derby girls are in Dearborn Heights competing at the highest level at Canfield Arena.

"They hear a lot about roller derby, a lot of people know that it exists, but don't see how much of a physical sport it is," said Kelly Genei Detroit Derby Girls. "Or how exciting it is to watch."

Years worth of training, dedication and drive all come down to this: Canfield Arena and the Detroit Derby Girls are hosting the 2015 International Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 2 playoffs.

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It is basically the Olympics of roller derby. It is a big deal for the skaters to get here and for the tournament to be played in the Detroit area.

"Detroit put in a bid and when we saw their bid, it's just an ideal city," said Amanda Hull, WFTDA president. "We have a big international airport. The league here is established, they are one of the FTDA's founding members.

"We knew if they were willing to take it on, we wanted to give them the opportunity and they have been such great partners."

Teams from as far away as Germany are skating hard and hitting hard, hoping to make it to the championships in Minnesota this November. But they have got to beat everyone here first.

It is an elimination that starts with 10 teams and during the entire weekend, 17 games will be played.

Bear City Roller Derby out of Berlin won the first round.

"The skill out here is awesome," said Catherine Beat Her Bones, of Bear City Roller Derby. "Every team comes with its own style, its own disadvantages and advantages. It’s awesome."

It is known as one of the fastest growing sports around and when you see these women make their way around this flat track you can see why.

It is of course about the fierce competition but also the companionship that comes with all the sweat and spills. Clinching the title though makes it worth it.

"This is the highest level competition when you are competing in roller derby," Hull said. "This is it."

The Detroit Derby Girls really want the skaters to see some of the positive things going on in Detroit so they put a list together of sites for them when they are not on skates.

If you would like more information on seeing these ladies skate, go to www.wftda.com/detroit.com

Canfield Arena is located at 2100 Kinloch St. in Dearborn Heights, (734) 323-3254.