Roller derby is a roller skating contact sport played on an oval track by two teams of five skaters. It is played by approximately 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, though it is most popular in the United States.
74-640: Rainy City Roller Derby (RCRD) is a flat track roller derby league based in Oldham , England . Founded as Rainy City Roller Girls in 2008, the league consists of four adult teams, which compete against teams from other leagues, and a junior roller derby team, Rainy City Juniors. Rainy City is a member of the United Kingdom Roller Derby Association (UKRDA) and the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and served as
148-454: A penalty box , power jams , in which one team has a temporary numerical advantage after a foul, can have a major effect on scoring. While the sport has its origins in the banked-track roller-skating marathons of the 1930s, Leo Seltzer and Damon Runyon are credited with evolving the sport to its competitive form. Professional roller derby quickly became popular; in 1940, more than 5 million spectators watched in about 50 American cities. In
222-625: A 174-146 loss to Angel City Derby . The following year, they made it to the 2019 International WFTDA Playoffs in Winston-Salem , North Carolina. They faced up to Helsinki Roller Derby first, winning 145-126, before losing to Angel City Derby 106-162. They beat 2×4 Roller Derby 172-109, leaving them in fourth place. *Please note that rankings were suspended in March 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic . In 2013, Rainy City came first at
296-810: A final championship tournament. As of 2019, the WFTDA postseason includes two playoffs that feed into the Championship tournament, plus three standalone, regionally-based Continental Cups. The WFTDA also recognizes eligible tournaments hosted by member leagues. Internationally, the first Roller Derby World Cup took place in Toronto, Canada, in December 2011. The second World Cup took place in Dallas, Texas, in December 2014. Since 2012, USARS has held an annual Roller Derby National Championship. In 2017, FIRS and
370-490: A given jam, and time and record skaters in the penalty box. The growing popularity of roller skating in the United States led to the formation of organized multi-day endurance races for cash prizes as early as the mid-1880s. Speed and endurance races continued to be held on both flat and banked tracks in the century's first three decades and spectators enjoyed the spills and falls of the skaters. The term derby
444-448: A hard-case sports bra and protective cups. Offense and defense are played simultaneously, a volatile aspect that complicates strategy and tactics. For example, one team's blockers may take offensive action to create a gap in the opposing wall for their jammer to pass through, but this same maneuver could potentially weaken their own defenses and allow the opposing team's jammer to score. Strategies (high-level plans toward achieving
518-411: A point for passing that blocker and a point for each opponent blocker not on the track (for instance, serving a penalty, or when the opposition did not field five players for the jam). If the jammer passes the entire pack, it is a four-point scoring trip, commonly called a "grand slam". Each team's blockers use body contact, changing positions, and other tactics to help their jammer score while hindering
592-558: A rebrand as London Roller Derby. The league's legal entity London Rollergirls Limited is a private company limited by guarantee , and a not-for-profit organisation . The aims and objectives of the skater -owned and run league includes promoting athleticism, charity, teamwork and confidence in women, and aims to represent the diverse London area in regard to body shape, occupations, sexual orientation, race and nationality. The name "London Roller Derby" and their associated logo are registered trademarks owned by London Rollergirls Limited in
666-623: A reciprocity agreement for insurance purposes. Outside the United States, many roller derby leagues enjoy support from their national skate federations, such as Skate Australia , the British Roller Sports Federation , and Roller Sports Canada . In Europe, roller derby was recognized as a sport in Paris in 2010 by the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS), which reports directly to
740-544: A recreational league, which offered a training ground for skaters new to roller derby. Tryouts were required for recreational league skaters to enter the main London Rollergirls league and skate competitively. At the beginning of the 2019 season, the recreational league was disbanded and skaters of that strand were absorbed into the main league, leading to the creation of the D-team. In August 2019, London announced
814-434: A regional playoff tournament. Having initially been seeded tenth, London managed to finish the tournament in fifth place with Stefanie Mainey picking up the honour of tournament MVP . 28–30 September 2012: "Sugarbush Showdown"; WFTDA East Region Playoffs. Entering the tournament as sixth seed, London defeated old rivals Montreal, before losing to Philly and Charm City to end the tournament in 4th place, narrowly missing out on
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#1732794194245888-417: A scenario when one team's jammer is sent to the penalty box. In this case, that jammer's team cannot score. If the lead jammer is penalized, no one can prematurely end the jam. It would be pointless to play if neither team could score; thus, both jammers cannot serve a penalty at the same time. If one jammer is sent to the penalty box while the opposing jammer is already serving a penalty, the opposing jammer
962-500: A strong "do-it-yourself" ethic that combines athleticism with the styles of punk and camp . As of 2020 , the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) had 451 full member leagues and 46 apprentice leagues and the Roller Derby Coalition of Leagues (RDCL) supporting women's banked track roller derby had eight full member leagues. Contemporary roller derby has a basic set of rules, with variations reflecting
1036-661: A structured training programme. Although skaters are all women, non-binary or gender expansive people who feel that a WFTDA team best fits their identity, men are involved in all other league roles, such as skating and non-skating officials, support crew and announcers. Eleven members of the London Rollergirls were selected to skate for Team England at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup in Toronto : Fox Sake, Frightning Bolt, Grievous Bodily Charm, Juicy Lucy, Kamikaze Kitten, Metallikat, Ninjette, Raw Heidi, Shaolynn Scarlett, Stefanie Mainey (team captain) and Vagablonde. Ballistic Whistle
1110-490: Is a series of two-minute timed jams . Each team, typically with a roster of 15, fields five skaters during each jam: one jammer , designated with a star on their helmet, and four blockers . During each jam, players skate counterclockwise on a circuit track. The jammer scores a point for each opposing blocker they lap. The blockers simultaneously defend by hindering the opposing jammer, while also playing offense by maneuvering to aid their own jammer. Because roller derby uses
1184-726: Is an international sport, mostly played by amateurs. It was under consideration as a roller sport for the 2020 Summer Olympics . Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS), recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the official international governing body of roller sports, released its first set of Roller Derby Rules for the World Roller Games, organised by World Skate , that took place September 2017 in Nanjing, China . Most modern leagues (and their back-office volunteers) share
1258-1086: Is called the London Brawl Saints, who debuted in June 2009. London Roller Derby's C team is called Batter C Power, inspired by the London landmark the Battersea Power Station , and debuted in autumn 2011. London Roller Derby added the D team, Dream Team, in 2019. In summer of 2008, three permanent home league teams were formed: The Steam Rollers, The Suffra Jets, and the Ultraviolent Femmes. A fourth team, Harbour Grudges, had their debut in 2010. 7 September 2007: "The Great Rock n' Rollerderby Swindle"; first UK Roller Derby bout, intra-league bout; Team Pink 77 v Team Black 100. 29 March 2008: "Riots of Spring"; first LRG inter-league bout; London Brawling 163 v Irn Bruisers 31 ( Glasgow Roller Girls ' Travel Team). 7 June 2008: "Mutiny on
1332-711: Is released from the penalty box early. The second jammer's penalty is then only as long as the amount of time the first jammer spent in the box. Players skate on four-wheeled ("quad") roller skates, and are required to wear protective equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and mouth guards. All current sets of roller derby rules explicitly forbid inline skates for players. (USARS requires quad skates for all skaters. WFTDA and MRDA permit inline skates for referees, but virtually all referees wear quad skates.) Individual teams may mandate additional gear, such as padded knee length pants, similar to what aggressive skateboarders wear, and sex-specific gear such as
1406-549: Is within 10 feet of the next. Blockers must maintain the pack, but can skate freely within 20 feet behind and ahead of it, an area known as the "engagement zone". The first jammer to break through the pack earns the status of "lead jammer". A designated referee blows the whistle twice and continually points at the jammer to confer lead jammer status, which lets that jammer stop the jam at any time by repeatedly placing hands on hips. Lead jammer status cannot be transferred to other skaters, but certain actions (such as being sent to
1480-683: The Claremont Colleges roller derby team defeated Arizona State University . The website FlatTrackStats compiles ratings of WFTDA teams, adjusting them after every bout based on how the actual score compares to the predicted score. The WFTDA's own Stats Repository has comparable information and often is updated at halftime of a bout. Roller derby bouts are now streamed online, and there are archived videos of past bouts and tournaments. The WFTDA offers live streaming video of its tournaments at wftda.tv. Derby News Network offered live streaming video and archived video including events outside
1554-566: The EventCity facility in Manchester . The league has four travel teams: Rainy City have a well-established skating and non-skating officiating crew. Pretty Miffed, the league's Head NSO and WFTDA-certified Level 3 Non-Skating Official (NSO), was on the roster of Officials for the 2018 Roller Derby World Cup . Emily of the State and Yvel Saint Laurent (WFTDA level 2 NSOs), were also on
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#17327941942451628-570: The Roller Derby "commissioner", hoped to use television to expand the live spectator base. He adapted the sport for television by developing scripted story lines and rules designed to improve television appeal, but derby's popularity had declined. 1989 saw the debut of RollerGames , an even more theatrical variant of roller derby for national audiences. It used a figure-8 track and rules adapted for this track. Bill Griffiths, Sr. served as commissioner while his son, Bill Griffiths, Jr., managed
1702-625: The United Kingdom Roller Derby Association (UKRDA). The league has four travel teams which play competitive roller derby across the UK and the world: London Brawling (A), Brawl Saints (B), Batter C Power (C) and Dream Team (D). Founded as London Rollergirls by Courtney Welch ( derby name Bette Noir), Lauren Langston and Danielle West, London is the oldest roller derby league in the United Kingdom. Since London Rollergirls began in April 2006,
1776-856: The United Kingdom Roller Derby Association 's " Sur5al " event, Tattoo Freeze 2013. In 2018, Rainy City won the first EuroCup competition, which they hosted in Trafford, Greater Manchester . The four other WFTDA D1 European opponents were Crime City Rollers , Helsinki Roller Derby , Stockholm Roller Derby and Kallio Rolling Rainbow . In 2019 Rainy City hosted the event once again, this time in Bury, Greater Manchester . Crime City Rollers , London Roller Derby 's B team London Brawling, Helsinki Roller Derby , Auld Reekie Roller Derby , Stockholm Roller Derby and Tiger Bay Brawlers all took part. RCRD came second, behind Malmö 's Crime City Rollers . Roller derby A 60-minute roller derby game, or bout ,
1850-469: The 15 roster players, and different selections for jammer and pivot. During each jam, players skate counterclockwise on a circuit track. Points are scored only by a team's jammer. After breaking through the pack and skating one lap to begin another "trip" through the pack, the jammer scores one point for passing any opposing blocker. The rules describe an "earned" pass; notably, the jammer must be in-bounds and upright. The jammer's first earned pass scores
1924-562: The 2013 WFTDA Playoffs. The London Rollergirls took part in the 2013 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs, hosted in Fort Wayne, Indiana . At Fort Wayne, London took on Rose City Rollers, Denver Roller Dolls , and Montreal Roller Derby. London Brawling beat Rose City and Montreal, but lost to Denver. They entered the Playoff tournament as the fourth seed, and finished the tournament in third place, qualifying for that year's WFTDA Championships as
1998-719: The 2020 Olympic Games. In 2009, the feature film Whip It featured roller derby and introduced a wider audience to the sport. The WFTDA encouraged leagues to coordinate with promotions during the film's release to increase awareness of the leagues. Furthermore, corporate advertising has used roller derby themes in television commercials for insurance , a breakfast cereal , and an over-the-counter analgesic . Most players in roller leagues skate under pseudonyms, also called " derby names " or "skater names". These typically use word play with satirical, mock-violent or sexual puns , alliteration , and allusions to pop culture . Referees often use derby names as well, often shown on
2072-621: The International Olympic Committee. As of 2017, FIRS has been accepted as the international rule set by the International Olympic Committee. Teams competed under the FIRS rules at the 2017 Nanjing Games. The former Canadian Women's Roller Derby Association worked with the American federation. Since 2006, the WFTDA has sponsored an annual championship . In 2008, it adopted the "Big 5" format: four regional playoffs and
2146-738: The L.A. T-Birds, who (according to the storyline) were seeking revenge on the Violators (led by Skull) for cheating in the Commissioner's Cup. The other teams included the Maniacs (led by Guru Drew), Bad Attitude (led by Ms. Georgia Hase), the Rockers (led by DJ Terringo and consisting of skaters who were also professional rock and roll musicians), and Hot Flash (led by Juan Valdez Lopez). It ran one season, because some of its syndicators went bankrupt. In 1999, TNN debuted RollerJam , which used
2220-945: The Mountie"; international inter-league bout; London Brawling 128 v Team Canada 45. 28 April 2009: "Grand Slam"; inter-league bout; Ultraviolent Femmes 171 v Barockcity Rollerderby 15; first UK intra-league championship bout, Suffra Jets 97 v Steam Rollers 73. 6 June 2009: "Double Trouble"; inter-league bout; London Brawl Saints (B team, debut bout) 156 v Leeds Roller Dolls 47, inter-league bout; London Brawling 249 v Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames 20. 18–19 June 2009: "Roll Britannia"; European tournament; London Rollergirls 1st, Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames 2nd, Glasgow Roller Girls 3rd. 20 March 2010: "A Fistful of Rollers"; inter-league bout; Hustlers ( Texas Rollergirls home team) 84 vs London Brawling 63, inter-league bout; London Brawl Saints 79 v Irn Bruisers 19. 10, 17, 18 April 2010: "2010 East Coast Tour"; first UK team to play inter-league bouts in
2294-476: The Roller Derby rules to increase skater contact. By 1939, after experimenting with different team and scoring arrangements, Seltzer's created a touring company of four pairs of teams (always billed as the local "home" team versus either New York or Chicago), with two five-person teams on the track at once, scoring points when its members lapped opponents. On November 29, 1948, before television viewership
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2368-776: The Rolling Dead ( Night of the Living Dead ), Knocktoberfest ( Oktoberfest ), Spanksgiving ( Thanksgiving ), Seasons Beatings ( Seasons Greetings ), Grandma Got Run Over By a Rollergirl (" Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer "), Cinco de May-hem ( Cinco de Mayo ), and War of the Wheels ( War of the Worlds ). Roller derby is a contact sport, and injuries can occur. Superficial injuries include bruising. However, torn ligaments, broken bones, and concussions also occur. Some leagues prominently display their injuries, to embellish
2442-637: The Team England roster, with the return of Missy Rascal and Fay Roberts who were joined by first-timer world cup skaters Alex Valentine, Alex Wilde, Menace and Philly. Fayetal Blonde and Fisher were in the England training squad. Rainy City were additionally represented by Mattie and Perra Peligro skating for Team Spain , and Dana Scurry for Team Ireland . Rainy City played their first WFTDA-sanctioned game in October 2013 against Glasgow Roller Derby . At
2516-584: The USA. Philthy Britches ( Philly Rollergirls home team) 103 vs London Brawling 102, CT RollerGirls 50 vs London Brawling 179, Providence Roller Derby 60 vs London Brawling 157. 9–10 April 2011: "Anarchy in the UK"; first full WFTDA -sanctioned bouts to be held in the UK. Four-way tournament featuring London Rollergirls, Charm City Roller Girls , Montreal Roller Derby and Steel City Derby Demons . 16–18 September 2011: "Nightmare on 95"; WFTDA East Region Playoffs . First team from outside North America to play at
2590-532: The USOC recognized USARS to participate in the 2017 Nanjing games. The largest roller derby tournament in the southern hemisphere, The Great Southern Slam , has been held biannually in Adelaide, South Australia since 2010. London Roller Derby London Roller Derby is a flat track roller derby league and a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The league were founding members of
2664-552: The United Kingdom and Europe. London Roller Derby is a D.I.Y. member-run organisation, with a board of directors and committees. League committees include: Administration, Bout Production, Events, Merchandising, Public Relations, Referees, Sponsorship, Coaching, Tech, and Venues. There are also visitor coordinators to provide hospitality to visitors from other roller derby leagues. League members are eligible to vote in league matters and participate on committees. London trains participants to roller skate and to play roller derby under
2738-467: The United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Israel, Singapore , UAE , Egypt , Thailand, and China. In many international leagues, gear and equipment must be imported. Roller derby's contemporary resurgence has been regarded as an aspect of globalization which demonstrates "the speed with which pop culture is now transported by highly mobile expatriates and social media , while also highlighting
2812-829: The WFTDA European Tournament (WET) in Malmö , Sweden, in November 2014, Rainy City went 2-1 with victories over Copenhagen Roller Derby and Oslo Roller Derby , followed by a narrow loss to Bear City Roller Derby . In 2016, Rainy City qualified for WFTDA Playoffs for the first time, making the Division 1 tournament at Columbia , South Carolina as the seventh seed. During the weekend Rainy City went 2-2 with victories over Steel City Roller Derby (Pittsburgh) and Santa Cruz Derby Girls , and losses to Jacksonville RollerGirls and Crime City Rollers (Malmö), to finish
2886-415: The WFTDA. FiveOnFive magazine covers roller derby and diverse aspects such as business, training, junior roller derby, and nutrition. The largest governing body for the sport is the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), with 397 full member leagues and 48 apprentice leagues. WFTDA membership is a major goal of aspiring leagues. Other associations support either mixed-gender or men-only derby;
2960-462: The WFTDA. Roller derby is played in two periods of 30 minutes. Two teams of up to 15 players each field up to five members for episodes called "jams". Jams last two minutes unless called off prematurely. Each team designates a scoring player (the "jammer"); the other four members are "blockers". One blocker can be designated as a "pivot"—a blocker who is allowed to become a jammer in the course of play. The next jam may involve different players of
3034-624: The backs of their striped uniforms. Some players claim their names represent alter egos that they adopt while skating. Whether a team should skate under real names or derby names is sometimes debated. Some derby names are obscene, a subject of some internal controversy. Copying of derby names has attracted legal and sociological analysis as an example of indigenous development of property rights. New players are encouraged to check derby names against an international roster to ensure they are not already in use. The names of roller derby events are also as sardonic and convoluted—for example, Night of
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3108-518: The changing role of women in many societies". Many roller derby leagues are amateur, self-organized and all-female and were formed in a do-it-yourself spirit by relatively new enthusiasts. In many leagues (especially in the U.S.), a punk aesthetic and/or third-wave feminist ethic is prominent. Members of fledgling leagues often practice and strategize together, regardless of team affiliation, between bouts. Most compete on flat tracks, though several leagues skate on banked tracks, with more in
3182-604: The classic rules and banked oval track, but allowed inline skates (although some skaters wore traditional quad skates). Jerry Seltzer was commissioner for this version. Roller derby began its modern revival in Austin, Texas in the early 2000s as an all-female, woman-organized amateur sport. By August 2006, there were over 135 similar leagues. Leagues outside the U.S. also began forming in 2006, and international competition soon followed. There are over 2,000 amateur leagues worldwide in countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
3256-545: The coaching team, joined by Stefanie Mainey. Sinister Mary Clarence was team coach for Team Ireland Roller Derby , while Sarah Oates was on the Team Scotland Roller Derby roster. The 2018 Roller Derby World Cup Team England lineup featured the league's Gaz, Jack Attack, Just Jess, Katie Hellvetica Black (vice-captain), Kid Block, Kristen Lee, Onyeka Igwe, Rogue Runner, Shaolynn Scarlett (team captain), Stefanie Mainey and Trisha Smackanawa. Hester Wu
3330-630: The competition as the tenth seed, and finished in fifth place – then the largest jump by a bottom-ranked team in WFTDA playoff history. In September 2012, London Rollergirls again qualified for the WFTDA East Region Playoffs, entering the tournament as the sixth seed, and finishing in fourth place, again bettering their seeding and establishing themselves as the top non-US team worldwide. The first European Roller Derby Championships were held in Berlin in November 2012. London entered
3404-520: The early 2000s revival of roller derby was initially all-female, some leagues later introduced all-male teams and all-gender games; as of May 2013 there were over 140 junior roller derby programs in the United States, and many more around the world. College roller derby is also expanding in the United States. The University of Arizona 's Derby Cats describe themselves as the first-ever official college flat-track roller derby team. The first intercollegiate derby bout took place on March 3, 2018, when
3478-433: The engagement zone. Groups of blockers on the same team typically create formations, known as walls, to prevent the opposing blocker from passing. Blocking with hands, elbows, head, and feet is prohibited, as is contact above the shoulders, below mid-thigh, or to the back. Referees penalize rules violations. A player receiving a penalty is removed from play and must sit in the penalty box for 30 seconds of jam time. If
3552-452: The ensuing decades, however, it predominantly became a form of sports entertainment , where theatrical elements overshadowed athleticism. Gratuitous showmanship largely ended with the sport's grassroots revival in the first decade of the 21st century. Although roller derby retains some sports entertainment qualities such as player pseudonyms and colorful uniforms, it has abandoned scripted bouts with predetermined winners. Modern roller derby
3626-684: The first Roller Derby World Championships organized by World Skate in 2017, as part of the 2017 World Roller Games USA Roller Sports (USARS) is recognized by the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as the National Governing Body of competitive roller sports in the United States, including speed, figure, hockey, roller derby and slalom. WFTDA and USARS maintain
3700-615: The first team outside of North America to do so. In London's first Championship visit, they were eliminated after their first game when they lost to the Atlanta Rollergirls , 184–169. *Please note that rankings were suspended in March 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic . London Roller Derby has an all-star travel team, London Brawling, whose name is inspired by the song London Calling by UK punk rock band The Clash . Official travel team/league colours are pink and black. London Roller Derby's B team, or reserves team,
3774-407: The game's goal, which is to outscore the opposition) include the following: Tactics (deliberate conceptual tasks in support of the strategy) may include the following: WFTDA bouts are officiated by three to seven skating referees and many non-skating officials (NSOs). Volunteer leagues adapt when fewer than the optimal number of officials are present. Up to four referees skate on the inside of
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#17327941942453848-514: The home team Philthy Britches from Philly Rollergirls . In April 2011, London Rollergirls hosted the first WFTDA tournament outside of North America, and played host to Charm City Rollergirls (Baltimore), Montreal Roller Derby , and Steel City Derby Demons at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London. In September 2011, London participated in the WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament , 'Nightmare on 95'. They entered
3922-519: The host league for the 2018 Roller Derby World Cup . The first league in North West England , Rainy City played their first home bout in November 2009, against Leeds Roller Dolls . In September 2011 they opened the "Thunderdome", their own training and bouting venue, in a former snooker hall in Oldham which they renovated and made into the 'Bouting venue of the North'. In March 2012,
3996-446: The image of violence or machismo . However, some skaters say the sport is reasonably safe if skaters take precautions. The rules require appropriate medical professionals on-site at every bout, even if not required by laws or arena regulations. The WFTDA offers insurance for leagues in the United States with legal liability and accident coverage, but it recommends that skaters also carry their own primary medical insurance. Although
4070-475: The interests of a governing body 's member leagues. The summary below is based on the rules of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). In March 2010, Derby News Network said that more than 98% of roller derby competitions were conducted under WFTDA rules. For example, members of the United Kingdom Roller Derby Association are required to play by WFTDA rules, while members of the former Canadian Women's Roller Derby Association were encouraged to join
4144-402: The jam ends during this interval, the player remains in the penalty box during the subsequent jam until the interval ends. While the penalty is being served, the penalized player's team plays short-handed, as in ice hockey . A player "fouls out" of the game on the seventh penalty, and is required to return to the locker room. A "power jam", derived from ice hockey's " power play ", refers to
4218-552: The largest organization supporting male roller derby is the Men's Roller Derby Association (MRDA). Within the United States, the Junior Roller Derby Association governs play by those under 18. It modifies the WFTDA rules for minors at three skill levels, with the lowest level allowing no intentional contact between skaters, and the highest allowing full contact; additional rules are also changed according to
4292-532: The league has grown to include over 60 members, plus referees and support crew. The London Rollergirls held the first public women's flat track roller derby bout held in the United Kingdom on 7 September 2007, to a sold-out crowd of over 500 people. The London Rollergirls held their first British inter-league bout in March 2008 against the Glasgow Roller Girls ' Irn Bruisers, and their first international bout in June 2008 against Team Canada . This
4366-673: The league joined the UK Roller Derby Association . They were accepted to the WFTDA Apprentice Program in July 2012, and became a full WFTDA member in September 2013. Rainy City Roller Girls rebranded as Rainy City Roller Derby in 2016, and published their own guide on rebranding an established league. In December 2016, it was announced that Rainy City would host the 2018 Roller Derby World Cup , at
4440-618: The needs of youth skaters. Some U.S. leagues decline affiliation with a national organization because they prefer local governance. Although WFTDA has been the largest worldwide roller-derby organization, the IOC has recognized World Skate (formerly Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports ) as the only governing body able to sanction international roller derby competitions within the Olympic Movement. Disputes between World Skate and WFTDA has meant that only 4 teams were present in
4514-444: The opposing team's jammer. Play begins by blockers lining up on the track anywhere between the "jammer line" and the "pivot line" 30 feet in front. The jammers start behind the jammer line. Jams begin on a single short whistle blast, upon which both jammers and blockers may begin engaging immediately. The pack is the largest single group of blockers containing members of both teams skating in proximity, arranged such that each player
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#17327941942454588-590: The penalty box) cancel lead jammer status, meaning that the jam has no lead jammer and must continue for the full two-minute period. If the jam is not called off by the lead jammer, it ends after two minutes. If time remains in the period, teams then have 30 seconds to get on the track and line up for the next jam. If the 30-minute period ends while a jam is underway, the jam plays out to its natural conclusion. A skater may block an opponent to impede their movement or to force them out of bounds. The blocker must be upright, skating counterclockwise, in bounds, and within
4662-456: The planning stages. Each league typically features local teams in public bouts that are popular with a diverse fan base. Some venues host audiences ranging up to 7,000. Successful local leagues have formed traveling teams comprising the league's best players to compete with comparable teams from other cities and regions. In February 2012, the International Olympic Committee considered roller derby, amongst eight other sports, for inclusion in
4736-529: The roster. League member Missy Rascal was vice-captain for the Team England squad for the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup in Toronto alongside Rainy City team-mate Dee-Mise. For the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup in Dallas , Missy Rascal returned to the Team England roster, this time joined by RCRD skater Fay Roberts. Rainy City hosted the 2018 Roller Derby World Cup and their skaters were dominant in
4810-497: The top leagues in the world including Gotham Roller Girls . Since 2020, spurred on by the Black Lives Matter movement and world events, the league have been working with Resist and Renew to move towards becoming an anti-racist league with equity for all. In 2021, London Roller Derby teamed up with Wild Card Brewery to create three unique beers themed around roller derby team positions. In 2010, London started
4884-499: The tournament as the top seed and won the tournament, defeating hosts the Berlin Bombshells in the final. A second North American tour in June 2013 saw London head to the west coast to take on five American and Canadian teams. Wins over Terminal City Rollergirls , Jet City Rollergirls and Rat City Rollergirls , and narrow losses to Rose City Rollers and Oly Rollers set London in a position to comfortably qualify for
4958-541: The tournament, and became the first champions of European roller derby. On 4 November 2009, London Rollergirls joined the WFTDA Apprentice Program , and graduated to full membership in June 2010. London was the first league outside North America to become a member of the WFTDA. London won the British Airways Great Britons competition later that year, providing them with free tickets to fly to America in April 2010 to train with and play some of
5032-437: The track. In flat-track derby, up to three additional referees skate on the outside of the track. They call penalties, award points, and ensure safe game play. Referees must wear skates and typically wear white and black stripes. NSOs take up a range of positions inside and outside the track, start and time the jams, record and display scores and penalties communicated by referees, record the number of each skater on track for
5106-523: The weekend in 6th place. At the 2017 Division 1 Playoff in Malmö, Rainy City won their opening game against Calgary Roller Derby Association 324-81, but then narrowly lost their quarter final to London Rollergirls , 124-199, to miss Championships. Rainy City ended their weekend with a 258-78 consolation bracket win against Charm City Roller Girls . In 2018, Rainy City qualified for WFTDA Playoffs in A Coruña , Spain where they finished in fourth place with
5180-504: Was a team made up of skaters from Toronto Roller Derby , Oil City Derby Girls , Terminal City Roller Girls , Calgary Roller Derby Association , and Saskatoon Roller Derby. In July 2009, the London Rollergirls hosted Europe's first roller derby tournament, "Roll Britannia", featuring twelve teams from the UK and Germany. The tournament was held at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre at Earls Court . London won
5254-658: Was on the Team Ireland Roller Derby training squad but didn't make it to the final team. USA Roller Derby featured London skater Juke Boxx. London Rollergirls became the first non-USA team to break the Derby News Network (DNN) top 20 power rankings in May 2010, after a successful North American tour where they beat Providence Roller Derby , the CT RollerGirls , and lost by one point to
5328-647: Was selected as Head Coach. In that year's competition, London skater Knickerblocker Glory represented Team Sweden and Bad Faith and Sinister Mary Clarence represented Team Ireland . For the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup , there was again a strong representation of the league in the Team England lineup: Frightning Bolt, Goregasm, Grievous Bodily Charm, Hell Vetica Black, Jen Sykes, Juicy Lucy, Kamikaze Kitten, Kitty Decapitate, Lexi Lightspeed, Lorrae Evans, Olivia Coupe, Raw Heidi, ReLisa Kracken, Shaolynn Scarlett (team captain), Sophia Ann Loathing, Stefanie Mainey (vice-captain) and Total Frey-hem. Ballistic Whistle returned to
5402-516: Was used to refer to such races by 1922. The endurance races began to transform into the contemporary form of the sport in the mid-1930s, when promoter Leo Seltzer created the Transcontinental Roller Derby, a month-long simulation of a road race between two-person teams of professional skaters. The spectacle became a popular touring exhibition. In the late 1930s, sportswriter Damon Runyon persuaded Seltzer to change
5476-516: Was widespread, Roller Derby debuted on New York television . The broadcasts increased spectator turnout for live matches. For the 1949–1950 season, Seltzer formed the National Roller Derby League (NRDL), comprising six teams. NRDL season playoffs sold out Madison Square Garden for a week. During the late 1950s and 1960s, the sport was broadcast on several networks, but attendance declined. Jerry Seltzer (Leo's son),
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