Updates By Liev: Version 3 (UBL:V3)

Edition 2: What you should know before joining the Derbyverse

First- sanctioning is not required to play roller derby. A few rule sets don’t have sanctioning bodies, Old School Derby Association (OSDA) & Modern Athletic Derby Endeavor (MADE) come to mind, Short track doesn’t appear to have a governing body either. Using the rules of Flat Track, World Skate (known as USARS) or Banked doesn’t require sanctioning. Sanctioning is required for competing for the HYDRA (WFTDA),Top prize (RDCL), ranking in respective governing bodies ie MRDA & WFTDA and to participate in USARS Nationals. Flat Track Derby Stats will rank teams playing by the Flat Track rule set, I believe one simply needs to submit the proper information to the website.

Second - I really recommend staying informal as long as possible, ie don’t rush into all the paperwork without having enough resources to be sustainable.

I made a flow chart and will repost for individuals wishing to join roller derby but I was vague with the starting a league step. This edition will attempt to be less vague and the next edition will have the numbers etc in reference to sanctioning.

When starting out without being in proximity to a league, one will need to have skaters. I recommend Short Track as the first rule set to explore and engage with. 10 skaters is bare minimum with 15 people as a good baseline. If one can advertise and it’s best to do that locally. Where would skaters and would-be skaters hanging out? Is there a rink? A skate park? Maybe places where adults congregate is all one has and making a few t shirts to wear around town might be the only thing one can do. Perhaps begin by getting together to skate.

T shirts with potential names of a club or team, a flyer or poster that local business might be willing to display. Getting together with people can be a challenge, the loss of third spaces has been tough even previous to 2020. The local library might have a community board where one can post a flyer to start interest in roller skating and Roller Derby.

The first leagues in the revival met up in a bar for over a year before they put together the first bout. One advantage is that several rule sets exist. Remember that bout production is comparable to staging a play. There are many elements and many hands needed.

Talk about goals and consider what can be done with who does show up when meet ups begin to happen. Maybe skating together in public before setting your sights on being a fully sanctioned competitive league because the task is a bit overwhelming.

Let’s say one gets a great turnout, I’m going set a minimum of 30 people as a great turnout. Ideally one wants to fill two rosters, have enough officials, this would include extras and have a place to show up in. I definitely see many groups struggling with between 10-25 skaters. I know for a long time WFTDA had the motto “For the skater, by the skater” and recently changed it to “for the community, by the community”. I’m going echo how important it is to think of one’s group as a community rather than only skaters.

I’m a skater myself but I’m also someone who has been involved in technical theatre. A script is nice, a stage is good and actors are essential but without a crew, it’s a difficult task to put anything into production. So don’t focus on just skaters and formal bouting, build a group with diverse skill sets. Build a community.

From 30 people one might consider sanctioning but if those 30 are all simply skaters than it might not be sustainable. Now we are back to being able to refer to the Flow chart. Good luck and be safe out there.