Since organizing in 2005, Houston Roller Derby has grown into a league of 39 skaters that sells more than 1,000 tickets for each bout. Bouts are held on the third Saturday of each month from March through September at Kick's Indoor Soccer and Gym (611 Shepherd Drive) in Houston.
Teams of the Houston Roller Derby
The league consists of three home teams, The Bayou City Bosses, The Brawlers and the Psych Ward Sirens, and a travel team, HaRD Knocks.
HaRD Knocks is Houston's dream team - 17 of the league's most talented and dedicated skaters cherry-picked out of its three home teams. These women train a minimum of three times a week and have played against other cities across the U.S. since 2006. They ended their 2009 season with five wins out of seven games against cities including New Orleans, Los Angeles, Austin, Texas and Philadelphia, Pa. These wins entitled HaRD Knocks to be included as one of the top 12 teams to compete at the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's national competition in November 2009.
History of Roller Derby
The sport of roller derby originally began in 1922 when the term referred to flat-track roller skating races. The sport evolved into a more popular contact, team sport format in the 1930s, which has continued on to the present day. After falling out of popularity in the 1970s, the sport experienced a revival in the early 2000s that focuses on athletic ability as much as the tough, indie aesthetic expressed by team uniforms and skater nicknames.
The sport has gained even more attention since being featured in Drew Barrymore's 2009 directorial debut, "Whip It," starring Ellen Page. Since the movie's release, the Houston Roller Derby Recreational League has experienced an influx of new skaters eager to learn how to skate and play derby.
When, Where and How Do I Join?
The Recreation League meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Dairy Ashford Roller Rink, 1820 S. Dairy Ashford, and accepts all skaters who are interested in learning.
Roller Derby Macro
The Women's Flat Track Derby Association was founded in 2004 and now consists of 78 member leagues and 10 apprentice leagues. The association sets standards for rules, seasons and safety and determines guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues, according to its Web site.
Official Houston Roller Derby Site
For more information, visit the Houston Roller Derby site
