And with names like Bermuda Thigh Tangle, Phar Slap, Surly Temple and Beyonslay the attraction is certainly evident.

But underneath the knee pads, hard hats and sinister skating, a community of complete acceptance has emerged.

“The thing about roller derby is that it provides a place where everyone can just be themselves,” Hayley Miles, of Maitland, said.

This weekend Ms Miles, 26, will join her fellow Maitland Roller Girls competitors on a float at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The float will represent a push to stamp out homophobia in sports.

But for Ms Miles, aka Doris McGee, the six kilometre journey through Oxford Street, Sydney, will be bittersweet.

“My uncle died from HIV 15 years ago when he was just 35 and I’ve always wanted to go (to Mardi Gras) to represent him. He was such an amazing young man,” she said.

“I also have a transgender aunt so I’ve grown up knowing it’s OK to be yourself and just accept people for who they are.”

And according to Ms Miles, roller derby is a sport well suited to the profile of Mardi Gras.

“There are a lot of lesbians in the league but there are also many of us who aren’t so we just want to get together have a bit of fun and show our support for the gay community and roller derby is an amazing platform to be able to do that,” she said.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade is on Saturday.