By Casey Rivkin

Women’s roller derby in RVA is much more than fishnets and being tough; it’s about teamwork and athleticism. The fast-pace and full-contact sport of roller derby is challenging—it’s a sport that constantly pushes you. As one of the fastest growing sports for women, roller derby has spiked in popularity in the past decade, and it continues to gain a loyal fan base in RVA and around the country. In fact, since 2001 this recreational sport has become part of popular culture, cementing it as an activity that is both fun to watch and participate in.

Richmond’s first all women’s flat track roller derby association is called the River City Roller Girls. The organization is now in its seventh season and boasts two talented teams: Poe’s Punishers and the Uncivil Warriors. Mother State is another Richmond league that is part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which is a membership organization for female skater leagues to collaborate and network. Other teams include the Carytown Cadets, Hollywood Undertakers, and the Jackson Wardens.

These teams travel up and down the East Coast, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even cities in Canada, to compete in events or “bouts.” A bout is played in two periods of 30 minutes. The teams practice two to three times a week and compete in bouts once or twice a month, with River City Roller Girls practicing at the Roller Dome and competing at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Mother State practicing and competing at Skateland of Richmond.

During a bout, each team has one “jammer” and four “blockers.” The jammer is the only skater who can score points by passing the blockers on the opposing team. The teams try to assist their own jammer while trying to stop the opposing jammer, so you essentially play both offense and defense at the same time.

The training for roller derby is intense and demanding. Women 18 years or older, who are passionate, athletic, and interested in being a part of a team, can try out. River City Roller Girls offers a program called “Fresh Meat,” a 16-week program that helps women get into shape and prepare to compete in the fast-paced sport. There are also “Fresh Meat Boot Camps” to prepare for the “Fresh Meat” program.

If competing isn’t your thing, but you love roller derby, the sport is always looking for volunteer announcers, referees, non-skating officials, and more. Also, bouts are typically open to the public, making it easy to visit home games in RVA to support the growing number of local athletes participating in the sport.

For more on roller derby in RVA, check out motherstaterollerderby. com and rivercityrollergirls.org. Women’s roller derby in RVA is much more than fishnets and being tough; it’s about teamwork and athleticism.

Roller derby in RVA began its modern revival, along with other teams across the country, in 2001 as an all-female, women-organized amateur sport. Richmond’s first all women’s flat track roller derby association is called the River City Roller Girls.