How much time do I need to spend on roller derby?
That’s going to depend on your skating skills and physical fitness. It’s a demanding sport and when you start you will hear from muscles you never knew existed. Even if you’re athletic, roller derby is different than any other sport you’ve played. So you will need to spend time working out in addition to skating practice. Generally, boot camp practices are about 2 hours once a week. Once you pass your skills assessment you can attend additional league practices (twice a week for 2 hours). The more you skate and the more you practice, the better you will get. But the league practices aren’t required, just highly recommended.
And there is non-skating stuff too. Once you pass your assessments you’ll take on a job in of our committees and also be required to do some volunteer stuff. We are a skater-run league and it takes many hands to keep things working.
How much is this going to cost me?
Monthly dues for Queens Court are $20 until you pass your assessments then, because of the additional practices you’ll be able to attend, they will be $40. In addition, you’ve got to pay $75 per year for WFTDA insurance.
You’ll need gear, too. In the beginning you don’t need to spend $600 on new skates, but you’ll probably need to spend $150-$200 for decent skates. You’ll need a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards and a mouth guard. Invest in really good knee pads. They are worth every penny. We also recommend padded shorts for new skaters to help protect your tailbone.
Then, you’ll want some cool derby t-shirts, socks, booty shorts, and wheels…you’ll start to collect different types of wheels. Oh wait. You didn’t mean that stuff.
It’s not the cheapest sport around, but we think it’s the coolest one.
What happens at boot camp?
In order to graduate from boot camp you need to be able to pass your WFTDA skills assessments. So we teach you all of these skills in boot camp. Basically it’s how to skate forwards, backwards, turn around, stop, fall safely and recover quickly, block, check (hit), whip and push, among other things.
What happens once I graduate from boot camp?
Once you pass your assessments you become a full-fledged QCRG league member. That means you can attend league practices, scrimmages and you will join the Queen’s Court team.
How do I get on a home team?
The home teams draft once a year in October. If you are draft eligible (you’ve passed your assessments) then you can join the draft pool. If drafted, you’ll become a full member of the team that selected you, and will begin attending team practices.
What if I want to be a referee?
Referees join a boot camp so they can learn the same skating skills that a derby player learns. Referees need to pass the same skills assessment test. In addition, as you are learning how to skate, you will also join our Buffalo Herd as a non-skating official and begin to learn the rules. The dues structure is different for referees. Email herd@qcrg.net if you are interested in becoming a referee or non-skating official.
I want to be on the Lake Effect Furies or Subzero Sirens and kick some serious butt, how do I do that?
Boot camp first. Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Then try out! The Furies hold try outs every year. You don’t have to be on a home team to try out for the Furies. You have to be prepared to make a serious time investment if you are interested in skating for the Sirens or the Furies. They travel to play various teams as well as playing games at homes. They are required to have a high level of physical fitness and game play
I think I’m too old. . . I think I’m too heavy. . . I think I’m too thin. . .
You have to be at least 18 to join QCRG as an adult player. If you’re under 18, go here to join QCJRD. It’s unlikely you’re too old. We have skaters who begin boot camp in their 40s and we have plenty of skaters in their late 30s and 40s.
Roller derby celebrates and embraces all body types. There is no perfect derby shape or size, everyone is welcome.
I’m afraid I’m going to get hurt
That’s a legitimate worry. You may get hurt at some point. Roller derby is not just a contact sport, it’s a collision sport. When you learn something new you might be more prone to injury. Cross training is very important to preventing injuries as well as helping you recovery from injury. We educate you as much as possible about injury and concussion prevention.
Do I need a derby name to start?
Nope. You can mull it over as you’re learning and pick it in several weeks or several months or, follow the newest trend of keeping your street name.
What else do I need to become a kick-ass derby girl?
A positive attitude and an understanding that it isn’t going to be easy, but it’s going to be completely worth it. You need to be willing to learn by falling (over and over again sometimes). That doesn’t mean you won’t have bad days or days you feel like hanging up your skates, but if you persevere you will succeed and your life will be richer for it.