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From the Fall Board (November 2012) Meeting Official Notice: Derby clubs are responsible for thefull charter fee for the first 2 locations, and any additional charters will be half price. NOTE: The club name (as requested on the charter application) would have to be the exact same in order to qualify and the application would need to be sent to the USARS National Office.
12/4/2012 Update
CHANGES FOR 2013 REGARDING USARS SANCTIONED EVENTS (effective 1/1/2013):
Pre-event rosters will no longer be required.
Single event memberships (day passes) will no longer be available except for non-citizens living outside the US.
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Roller derby is taking the sports world by storm as it continues to be one of the most rapidly growing sports! With over 1,200 leagues in approximately 38 countries (numbers as of March 12, 2012) it is definitely more than just a fad. It is fun, yet highly competitive as it encompasses individuals of all athletic abilities, sizes, and age.
HISTORY
The term roller derby dates at least as far back as 1922. Leo
Seltzer, a film publicist, combined aspects of dance marathons
(“walkathons” as they were commonly referred to) and roller skating
into the first Transcontinental Roller Derby event in 1935.
It was originally a stimulation of cross-country roller skating where
25 two-person teams circled a track thousands of times to cover 3,000
miles. Skaters skated up to 11 ½ hours a day, and were
disqualified if both members were off the track during skating
times. After the first Transcontinental Roller
Derby event, Seltzer decided to take a portable track and hold similar
races throughout the U.S. As the skaters tried to lap those
in front of them, there were occasional collisions and crashes and this
quickly become the most exciting part. Realizing this,
sportswriter, Damon Runyon, encouraged Seltzer to change the game to
incorporate more physical contact between skaters. Although
Seltzer was somewhat leery of this, he agreed to try it and the fans
loved it! Over time, roller derby has evolved into a sport
involving two teams of five skaters where teams score points by lapping
members of the opposing team.
HOW TO PLAY
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams on roller skates,
on an elliptical track, in contest called “jams” that can last up to
90 seconds each. Each team will have up to five total players on the
track, including four Blockers (one blocker is called the Pivot and has
a stripe on his/her helmet) and one Jammer (who will have a star on
his/her helmet). Each team will have one scoring player (which may be
either the Jammer or, under some circumstance, the Pivot) who will earn
points by passing opposing players on the Track. Blockers skate
together in a group, called the Pack. Each team’s Blockers will attempt
to assist their own scorer in navigating the pack, while simultaneously
trying to prevent the opposing scorer from making his/her way through
the pack. They are largely response for the constant contact as they
engage in checks and bumps. The team with the most points at the
conclusion of the game will be the winner.
DERBY TODAY
Derby is prevalent in the United States with women’s men’s, co-ed, and
junior leagues utilizing one another to further expand the
sport. While it used to be predominately played on a flat
track, more and more leagues are venturing to the banked
track. Most derby leagues use a DIY (do-it-yourself) mindset
as they are run by the skaters. It is common practice for
leagues to participate in fundraising and community service projects.