What’s Up with USA ROller Derby
USA Roller Derby (USARD) has primarily been run by coaches and volunteers since its inception. Since the 2018 World Cup, there’s been a handful of skaters from the 2017 Charter keeping minimal business tasks moving ahead and having some meaningful conversations about the direction of USA Roller Derby and creating a better and more equitable organization and experience for all.
With the recent open call for bids for the Sept-Dec 2025 World Cup, our remaining skater volunteers met to set goals moving towards recruiting new leadership and key positions to drive towards the 2025 World Cup.
New Board of Directors
We’d like to announce our new Board of Directors:
President: Jackie Daniels
Vice President + DEI Leader: Baller Shot Caller
Secretary: Jes Rivas
Treasurer: Bonnie Thunders
Marketing + Sponsorship/Fundraising Operations: Bourbon
Games Coordinator + Representative for Nations Committee: Juke Boxx
Outgoing President: Bloody Mary
Road to the the 2025 World Cup
Q1 2024: USARD coaches selected and key jobs filled
Q2 2024: USARD Tryout Locations + Selection Process Announced (to be held in late/r 2024) and next round of jobs filled
** Be on the lookout for boot camps / recruitment events in 2024 **
USARD
USA ROLLER DERBY (USARD), FORMED IN 2010, IS THE UNITED STATES' NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR ROLLER DERBY UNDER THE WOMEN’S FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY (WFTDA) RULESET. THEY ARE UNDEFEATED ACROSS 21 GAMES, INCLUDING GOLD MEDAL FINISHES IN THE WOMEN’S ROLLER DERBY WORLD CUPS IN 2011, 2014, and 2018.
FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY
Flat track roller derby is a fast-paced contact team sport that requires speed, strategy, and athleticism. The flat track version of the sport evolved in 2001, and has quickly grown to encompass more than 400 leagues worldwide. This is in large part due to the ease of setting up a flat track--it can be done on any flat surface that is suitable for skating, such as skating rinks, basketball courts, parking lots, and even airplane hangars. This greatly reduces the capital needed to start up a roller derby league, and allows small groups of people to get a fledgling league off the ground. The DIY spirit that drives the sport allows roller derby leagues to create their own unique identities and adapt their structures to reflect their local communities. (from WFTDA.com)
Images by Steph Zakas