What is roller derby?

 

Roller Derby has gone through many revolutions and revivals. Modern day roller derby is a full-contact sport on quad skates with the brutality of rugby and the grace of gymnastics.

The hits are real! They are not staged or planned and they DO hurt.  But the way most derby players look at it, if it were easy there would be nothing special about it.  You’ll see.  Derby girls are a breed all their own.

99% of derby leagues are non-profit, skater owned and operated organizations with a huge focus on community involvement and empowering league members.  It is more than a game.  It is a lifestyle.

Part of this lifestyle is the amazing bond between the people that participate.  “Derby love” is powerful stuff that creates unshakable relationships between skaters from all sorts of backgrounds!

 

Who can participate?

This is the beauty of derby.  ANYONE can participate!  Derby leagues always need players, coaches, referees, non-skating officials, announcers, support staff, etc.  If you want to participate, you can participate.  Most positions require the person to be at least 18 years old but we do have roles for people of all ages!

 

What is the derby life like?

Derby is more than a game.  It is a lifestyle.  Leagues are skater owned and operated so 60% of your “derby time” is spent off the track.  You may be recruiting, volunteering, organizing a fund raiser, selling merchandise for your league or just hanging out with your teammates.  There is a LOT of work that goes into making a team run and it is all done by the skaters.

Your on track time is spent breathing hard, skating harder and taking your lumps as you learn how to play this game.  Once you are toughened up and ready to play for real, your league will hold games (called bouts) that will have your heart racing as you compete against women that want to win just as bad as you.  After a full hour of beating each other to near-death, you will all meet for a few drinks (or maybe more) at the after party.

You train, travel and spend time with your sisters.  Before you know it you have a new family of derby girls ready to be there anytime you need them.  This, my friends, is “derby love.”