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59-513: Thunder (National Team) Storm (State Team) Victorian Junior Roller Derby (Juniors Team) Toxic Avengers (Home Team) The Victorian Roller Derby League (VRDL or Victoria) is a flat track roller derby league based in Melbourne , Victoria . Founded in 2007, VRDL provides opportunities for all ages and at all levels to participate and compete in Roller Derby. VRDL is a member of

118-810: 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

177-490: 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

236-448: 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

295-411: 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

354-472: A position in the top 3 since. Roller derby A 60-minute roller derby game, or bout , 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

413-623: 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

472-417: 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

531-678: Is a roller derby league based in Queensland , Australia . It consists of 3 women's intraleague teams, two women's travel teams and 1 men's travel team, which play against teams from other leagues. It is the oldest co-ed league in Australia. The league was founded by a group of skaters, including "Evil Doll", who was a founding member of the Sun State Roller Girls . Initially based in central Brisbane, it relocated to Ipswich to find good practice facilities, and built up

590-435: 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

649-711: 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

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708-549: 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

767-594: The Adelaide Convention Centre . VRDL sent both teams Lightning and Thunder. Lightning made it to the grand final against Adelaide Roller Derby , winning the final 248-66 and placing 1st in Australia. Thunder won the game to place 3rd in Australia in a tight game against Brisbane City Rollers 137-135. The VRDL won the Women's Health magazine inaugural Women in Sport Award for best 'A' team of

826-602: The Chicago Outfit , Sacred City Derby Girls and Toronto Roller Derby , VRDL finished the tournament in fifth place. At the 2017 Division 1 Playoff in Dallas , VRDL defeated Philly Roller Derby , Minnesota RollerGirls and Texas Rollergirls to finish in first place. The league continued to strengthen, and in 2017 won the WFTDA Championships , beating previous champions Rose City Rollers 180 to 101 in

885-683: 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

944-636: 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 a strong "do-it-yourself" ethic that combines athleticism with the styles of punk and camp . As of 2020 ,

1003-733: The Melbourne Showgrounds , and in 2011 the VRDL was both accepted into the WFTDA Apprentice program and gained a new training ground in Preston . The VRDL was the first league in Australia to be accepted into the WFTDA Apprentice program. In December 2011, they graduated from the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice program and became full members of the WFTDA - the first Australian member, as well as

1062-570: 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

1121-484: 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 the interests of a governing body 's member leagues. The summary below is based on the rules of

1180-463: The Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), having gained membership in December 2011. In November 2017, VRDL became the first non-American team to win the WFTDA Championships . Since 2019, VRDL is the 2nd- ranked team in the WFTDA. VRDL consists of three adult representative teams that compete in interleague competitions within Australia and internationally: VRDL also has two Home Teams,

1239-501: 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 the WFTDA. Roller derby

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1298-469: 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

1357-719: 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

1416-419: 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 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

1475-621: 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

1534-738: 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

1593-415: 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

1652-776: 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

1711-649: The Toxic Avengers and Dead Ringer Rosies. VRDL is currently planning the 2023 Home Season with dates. Alongside their adult teams, VRDL also runs Victorian Junior Roller Derby League, with both developmental and competitive training for junior skaters. Founded in March 2007, the Victorian Roller Derby League was started by Cherry Rockette (Mandar Nelson), Betty Bamalam, Toxic Judy, Denim Destructor (Chandelle Macklin) and Hidden Magenta. By

1770-511: 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. Brisbane City Rollers Nasty Nancies (women's B team) Scartel (men's team) Violent Femmes (women intraleague/open season) The Brisbane City Rollers (BCR)

1829-531: 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

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1888-477: The Victorian Roller Derby League in WFTDA competition. In July 2013, VRDL was ranked at 31, earning them their first appearance in a WFTDA Division 1 playoff tournament, held in Salem , Oregon September 27 through 29, 2013. VRDL entered the tournament as the eighth seed out of ten teams. This marked the first appearance in the WFTDA playoffs by an Australian and southern hemisphere-based league. With victories over

1947-415: 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;

2006-624: 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

2065-414: The championships. VRDL won against Angel City Derby 169-88 to proceed to the semi-finals and was beaten by Gotham Roller Derby in a close match 109-103. VRDL then played for 3rd against Arch Rival Roller Derby and after a tight and competitive game, won with a score of 119-107. With the March 2017 WFTDA rankings release, VRDL was the top-ranked team in the WFTDA for the first time. VRDL has maintained

2124-518: 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

2183-604: 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,

2242-520: 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

2301-793: The end of a close bout. Other interleague bouts over the years have included "Skate of Origin 2" in Melbourne, where the Adelaide team defeated the Victorians; the Great Southern Slam in 2010, in which the VRDL won the largest roller derby competition that had been held outside of the United States; and the Canberra Roller Derby League at the AIS Arena in Canberra in 2011. In 2010 bouts were moved to

2360-478: The end of the year the VRDL had 40 members, playing their first invite-only bout for friends and family at the Dandenong Showgrounds, and by 2009 the three teams were competing at 'Puckhandlers' in the suburb of Reservoir . In 2008, the first interleague bout in Australia, "Skate of Origin", was held. The VRDL travelled to Adelaide to compete against Adelaide Roller Derby . The Victorians won at

2419-433: 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

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2478-566: The final. VRDL jammer Samara " Lady Trample " Pepperell was named the tournament MVP. In 2018, VRDL received a bye directly to WFTDA Championships, by placing within the top four teams overall, as the first seed, in the 30 June rankings. At Championships in New Orleans in November, VRDL finished in second place, losing the final to Rose City in a rematch of the 2017 title game, 144-121. In 2019, VRDL received another bye to move straight to

2537-684: 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

2596-831: The first member league in the Southern Hemisphere at the time. This created opportunities to compete in Europe and the United States. In 2011 the VRDL played their first international match against the Hotrod Honeys from the Texas Rollergirls , losing out to the more experienced side. In November 2011 the VRDL played their second international match against the Rat City All Stars from the Rat City Rollergirls , again losing to

2655-407: 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

2714-446: 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

2773-402: 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

2832-552: 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

2891-719: The more experienced team, but gaining a lot of skills in the process. In 2012 the league expanded to four home teams and two levels of skater development within their recreational league. In April the travel team competed in their first international tournament in Tucson , Arizona . The Dust Devil Tournament is an invite-only event, which was then in its fifth year. The VRDL went into the tournament seeded tenth and ended in fifth place. The league used to field four home teams: Dead Ringer Rosies, Toxic Avengers, Rock Mobsters and Dolls of Hazzard. For now, these have been retired. In 2022, Adelaide Roller Derby hosted The Great Southern Slam at

2950-618: 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

3009-405: The opposing jammer, while also playing offense by maneuvering to aid their own jammer. Because roller derby uses 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

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3068-444: 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

3127-590: 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

3186-456: 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

3245-400: 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 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

3304-437: 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

3363-639: The year in August 2011, citing the general groundswell of support from the Australia-wide roller derby community for this people's choice award. They contribute to the wider roller derby community in Australia by holding Master Classes and bootcamps on a regular basis, their coaches visit fledgling leagues all over Australia and are actively involved in the Australia Roller Derby Coalition (ARDC). The VRDL All-Stars represent

3422-516: 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

3481-516: 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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