GEJRDA Skaters in action
The explosive growth of Roller Derby in Canada, has also extended to teams for juniors.
The Greater Edmonton Junior Roller Derby Association (GEJRDA) is Canada’s oldest junior Roller Derby League. In just over 3 years it has grown from 8 to 60+ skaters. Like their adult counterparts, the largest challenges to their growth is the availability of concrete surfaces year round, and an understanding of the sport…as a legitimate sport. (more…)
Wildrose Cup, 2012
Our national sport will be noticeably absent for a while. What better opportunity to expand your sports repertoire. The gaping void will need to be filled, and I have a great suggestion for you. Why not check out a local Roller Derby game? In Alberta alone, there are more than 17 adult leagues and 4 junior leagues (and growing continuously) There is not a Saturday night that goes by without a game within your reach.
Winter is a challenging time for Roller Derby in Canada. Facilities that are big enough to host practices and bouts that do NOT have ice in them, are limited. The derby community is a creative bunch though, and somehow, they always pull through.
There are dreams, however. Dreams of venues dedicated to the sport. Dreams of Roller Derby having paid players. Dreams of Roller Derby world domination….oops, maybe that’s a bit much, but I think you get the gist.
Calgary's Olympic Oval - Home of Flat Track Fever
Oil City All-Stars, Wildrose Cup Champions 2011, photo credit: Papa Razzo
With more than 1100 enthusiastic Roller Derby fans in attendance, the Oil City All-Stars successsfully defended their title of holders of the WildRose Cup, against the E-Ville Dead.
With the historic animosity between these two teams, many expected this to be a rather volatile game. While the adrenaline was definitely pumping, both teams treated the crowd to a great example of how Roller Derby should be played…aggressive, but respectful, strategic and full of heart. These ladies layed it all out on the track. (more…)
As I was lying in a pool of my own sweat at hot yoga yesterday, I was contemplating my life. In just over 2 short years, I have lost my Dad, my dog and last week, my Mom. My husband is in Afghanistan yet again, I run a business, have two young kids and was having a lapse in sanity a few months ago, and ended up with a psychotic puppy. You can imagine that I need a release from my stress, hence the attempt at hot yoga.
Wildrose Cup - September 17, 2011
What became glaringly clear though, as I melted away on the floor, was that I have been lucky enough to have something in my life that helps me through it all….Roller Derby, and the gloriously dysfunctional new family that comes along with it. (more…)
The Oil City Derby Girls have just signed a contract to play the E-Ville Roller Derby League on September 17, 2011 for the Wild Rose Cup! This is an historic moment in Western Flat Track Roller Derby.
Interleague representatives show the signed contract! Pamtera from Oil City and Nerd Badger from E-Ville.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the history of this sport, five years ago there was only one roller derby league in Edmonton: The Oil City Derby Girls. Some of the members branched off and formed the E-Ville Roller Derby League to prove that, like heads, two leagues are indeed better than one – and it seems that they may have been right. Over the past five years both teams have been striving for success, learning from losses and racking up wins in games with teams all over Canada and the USA. (more…)
Photo by Anthony Canada
You know a sport is growing exponentially when there are internet sites dedicated specifically to tracking new teams internationally.
On Derby Earth they track and map, just about every Derby league on the planet!! From banked track, to WFTDA Leagues, to independants and juniors, this site is a one-stop shop for people looking to find Roller Derby Worldwide! (more…)
“I LOVE CANADA”
Do you think UFC president Dana White ever wishes he could move his entire production up to our side of the border?
Every time the UFC comes to Canada, records are set and that’s a trend that continued this week with a couple of new ones ahead of UFC 129 in Toronto – the organization’s first Ontario-based event. If Las Vegas didn’t have the deep connection and history with the fight game that it has, I’m sure more cards would find their way up here given our country’s track record.
In less than one hour on Thursday, more than 42,000 tickets (valued anywhere from $50 to $800) were sold for the April 30th event! That’s right, the “pre-sale” for the Toronto date almost doubled Montreal’s UFC attendance record of 23,152! (more…)
Whether you are aware of it or not, roller derby is happening all around us. As you are reading this, there is a league somewhere in Canada running a practice or scrimmage or ref clinic.
This weekend was a busy one for the sport in Western Canada.
Photo by Troy Marshall Hill
In Armstrong, BC, the Okanagan Shushwap Roller Derby Association hosted a double header to the delight of fans from BC and AB. Mens roller derby was represented by the Glenmore Reservoir Dogs from Calgary and the Vancouver Murder. Final score was 204-74 for the boys from Vancouver. The women played in an all-star black vrs. white bout, with teams made up of skaters from leagues in BC and AB. (more…)
Photo by Anthony Canada
I know, you are all wondering the same thing, right? Those of you that are not seasoned fans yet, might need a little advice and guidance in this area…lol.
How does one behave at a Roller Derby bout? What can we expect at our first bout? All valid concerns my dear friends. As a lover of the sport (and skater, board member and fan)let me take you through this one step at a time, a helpful little guide detailing what to wear, what to bring and when it’s okay to touch a derby girl. (more…)
What defines a sport as being viewed as a legitimate sport, versus sports entertainment? In my opinion, the only real difference between the two would be the scripting. And ladies and gentleman…there is NO scripting on the track!
The days of Skinny Minnie Miller and the iconic L.A. T-Birds may be long gone, but roller derby has been revived and quickly earning a spot with other amateur sports. Sure, there is still an entertainment factor, but arguably, isn’t that true with all sports?
Roller derby is a sport like no other; It has its own culture, it’s not mainstream (yet, anyway), and is very quickly gaining momentum, as the number of leagues in the world are growing weekly!
The most surprising thing to me when I began skating with Oil City Derby Girls was just how disciplined they were, and how intense the practices were. Oddly enough, they don’t just let you strap on skates and go bashing around the track. There are skills that are drilled in to every skater (for their protection and the protection of those skating near them) and rules and strategies and even a written test! (Never expected that part!) The list of rules is quite dizzying and with the number of refs that are part of every bout, very little “under-handed” behaviour is missed. For the most part though, despite the aggressive nature of the sport, the women that take part in a game are respectful and abide by the rules. Yes, there is bickering, but adrenaline will do that to even the most mild-mannered player at times.
Take a look at this video: OCDG Vrs. Saskatoon
There truly is no room for scripting in today’s roller derby. The women that play are focused and proud of their accomplishments. And let me tell you, to make a team is quite an accomplishment!
To follow the journey of a freshmeat player, check out a great blog written by a friend of mine, Unchained Malady(she even blogged about me…lol): http://pickacheek.blogspot.com
Check out Oil City’s next home game as the Tank’er Girls take on Prince George’s Rated PG Rollergirls on January 29!!
Much Derby Love,
This is NOT your momma`s roller derby! Gone are the WWE-like scripted bouts from the 70`s and 80`s. The resurrection of roller derby is happening with alot of blood, sweat and tears….wait, no tears…derby girls don`t cry! (more…)
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