ROLLER DERBY HISTORY
Roller Derby is an American invented
contact sport. First endurance type roller skating events trace back to the 1880’s.
Roller Derby as a team event became popular first during the 1920’s and
especially grew in popularity during the 1930’s as a form of inexpensive
entertainment during the Great Depression.
World War Two during the 1940’s
removed many of the men from what was prior to that a men’s and women’s
combined sport. What evolved out of that is what became Women’s Roller Derby.
Roller Derby enjoyed a brief
come back during the 1970’s as a TV spectacle. This short lived movement
instilled many of the myths and stereo types that are still believed today. The
TV version was more akin to modern day Professional Wrestling with fighting and
outlandish behavior to draw in television viewers.
In the 2000’s modern Women’s
Roller Derby made a comeback through what has continued to be a grass roots
movement. Today’s Roller Derby consist of all volunteer skaters, referees,
coaches and other non-skating officials. These Do It Yourself teams have grown
to become the fastest growing sport in North America.
Today’s Roller Derby is about
women’s athletics and teamwork. Fighting, hitting with arms, hands, elbows
etc., are illegal and there is a strict set of rules that teams must abide by.
This is a fun sport to watch and especially to participate in.
ABOUT ROLLER DERBY BOUTS
The “bouts” that are played in
Roller Derby consist of multiple two minute “jams”. A bout lasts for one hour with a half time
break in the middle. During these jams there are five members of each team on
the track (unless players are set to the penalty box). The teams consist of blockers and one jammer. The jammer wears a
star on their helmet which identifies them to the referees and teams. During
the jam the jammers attempt to pass as many of the opposing team as possible,
scoring points on each successful player passed. The teams not only attempt to
assist their jammer in getting though the pack and scoring but also attempt to
stop the other team’s jammer in passing and scoring on them.
At the end of the "bout" the team with the most points wins. Derby takes a large amount of support to pull off a successful bout. Of course the lady skaters form the two opposing teams but without the volunteer coaches, referees, score keepers, security, time keepers and other non skating officials the events would not be possible.
Sponsors are a huge part of keeping the teams uniformed, equipped and able to bout. We are grateful to all of our sponsors for their kind assistance!!!
