Fort Wayne Derby Girls

When:

August 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30.

Where:

Bell's Skating Rink

Info:

Click for more info...

FAQS

Who owns and runs the league?
The Fort Wayne Derby Girls is a not for profit association (sports team) that is run by the skaters and league members who all donate their skills to help operate the league. The league generates revenue from ticket sales, merch sales, sponsorship contributions, member dues, volunteer work, and donations from our supporters. Revenue that is earned is donated to local woman's and children's charities (over $74,000 since May 2006) after we pay for maintenance costs, practice spaces, venue costs, bout production, insurance, and other operational costs. None of our skaters, volunteers, coaches, refs, etc. are paid. We are all volunteers that have one goal in common, to help successfully grow the league and watch Fort Wayne Derby Girls flourish in the local community while being able to give back. The Fort Wayne Derby Girls are a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association—a governing body to promote flat track derby (www.wftda.com). WFTDA provides member leagues with support including; insurance, a unified rule set, collective national bargaining leverage, and rankings, along with organizing regional and national tournaments each year. WFTDA is itself a not-for-profit association.

What is the difference between the Bomb Squad, SWAT Team, and The Academy?
There are 3 teams that make up the Fort Wayne Derby Girls. All teams compete in interleague competition. The Bomb Squad is the official chartered team within the Women's Flat Track Derby Association and play at the highest competitive levels of the sport. The Bomb Squad competes for rankings both regionally and nationally. The SWAT Team is a feeder team to the Bomb Squad. The SWAT Team cannot compete for regional or national rankings. The Academy debuted in our 2011 season due to a rise in membership. The Academy is comprised primarily of our "fresh meat" skaters that are new to roller derby.

Where are the bouts played?
All of the FWDG home games are played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Expo Center in Fort Wayne, IN. You can visit http://www.memorialcoliseum.com/ for additional information.

Why is it called a bout?
As in boxing, each roller derby bout is a fight to the finish!

Do you play in a banked track, with rails that you flip over?
No – The Fort Wayne Derby Girls skate on what's called a "flat track."
For fifty years roller derby was played primarily on concave ("banked") tracks. These tracks were big and expensive and required reassembly as the derby skaters of the time barnstormed from town to town. In 2001 and 2002, skaters in Austin, Texas, lacking (at the time) the budget for a banked track, created the first drafts of a modified rule set to allow the same basic game to be played on a flat surface. The popularity of this style of play has been exploding around the world, as the 'play-anywhere' nature of the flat game has allowed skaters to learn the game without investing in a banked track infrastructure. The flat track version brings the skaters closer to the fans, and makes them more accessible than normal pro-sports figures. It literally puts the skaters in the laps of the fans and they love it.

Where can I get tickets? Can I get season tickets?
You can purchase tickets in-person at the Memorial Coliseum's ticket office, or online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets usually range in price from $9.00 to $15.00 for adults, $7 for kids ages 6-15, children under 5 get in free. Season tickets can be purchased for $100.00 by becoming a Super Fan sponsor. This package includes 2 season tickets, prime seating, and two exclusive sponsor tee shirts.

Is there beer at the bouts?
Alcohol is available to adults 21 and over at the portable bar stands at all bouts at the Memorial Coliseum.

Are the bouts kid friendly?
Yes! We strive to be a family friendly organization and our bouts reflect this concept. We see children of all ages at our bouts, and we keep the language and derby names family friendly. Kids of all ages love meeting their favorite derby girls in the autograph lounge. Children 5 and under receive free admission.

How long is the season?
The Fort Wayne Derby Girls begin training and practicing in September, and continue through the end of the season in May. Bouts begin in January and a copy of our 2012 schedule can be found on our home and events page on our newly designed website (www.fwderbygirls.com)

Isn't roller derby fixed, like wrestling?
No way! Modern roller derby is completely non-scripted and very real. Anyone who has attended one of our bouts will tell you that is a real sport, with real rules, real fouls, and real athletes. It's been a challenge to convert the "scripted" sport of roller derby into a fair and safe activity, but with the collective efforts from WFTDA's member leagues, roller derby has made the transition to honest competition. For additional questions about the rules of the game, please visit www.wftda.com.

Do you get to throw elbows and clothesline other skaters?There are strict rules and penalties for such infractions. Punching, tripping and blocking from behind are all illegal, as are elbowing, clotheslining, and cutting the track.

What's the typical age/occupation of skaters in the league?
Although there is a minimum age requirement of 18, there is no maximum age to be a Fort Wayne Derby Girl. The Fort Wayne Derby Girls range in age from 18 to the early 50's, and the occupations are just as diverse. There are teachers, accountants, physician's assistants, firefighters, executive directors, nurses, graphic designers, students, and photographers just to name a few. The skaters use their diverse talents and skills with the administrative, promotional, and production needs of the organization.

How much do you train?
We practice three times a week September through May and practices are 2 hours long. Skaters must attend 80% of practices in order to be considered to be rostered on either the Bomb Squad or SWAT Team.

Do you get hurt?
Yes, just as in any other sport, injuries happen. We have unfortunately experienced broken ankles, bruised tailbones, broken collar bones, and various other injuries. We do train hard and learn how to fall and whip correctly, and we do off skate training to aid in injury prevention.

Do you wear protective gear?
Yes. Helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, and mouth guards are required for skating. We also suggest "crash pads" to protect your tailbone and some girls like to wear shin guards as well.

Aren't I too big/small for that?
Roller derby positions and strategies require very diverse skills. No matter what size you are, there's probably a position that works for your body type. A wide range of sizes can help a team to be more well-rounded. Roller derby is for women of all shapes and sizes!

Who trains the skaters?
Our dedicated coaching staff and refs help to diagnose and plan for all types of play and create drills to prepare the skaters for their opponents.

Do skaters get paid?
No. The Fort Wayne Derby Girls are an amateur sports organization that is completely run by its own skaters, refs, coaches, and volunteers. In fact, membership to the FWDG league requires that all member pay monthly dues in order to maintain membership status.

How much are the membership dues?
After you tryout and are ready to commit to the FWDG, you will begin paying dues. Dues are currently set at $40.00 a month and must be paid by the first practice of each month during our season. Dues help pay for practice space rental. You are also required to carry WFTDA insurance which costs $75 per year (even if you have primary insurance). If you have primary insurance, this acts as a secondary.

Can I visit a practice?
We currently hold closed practices to the public. Active derby skaters and refs from active bouting roller derby leagues may visit our practices. Contact our coaching staff via our Contact page to find out if you can attend a practice while you are in the Fort Wayne area.

How do I tryout?
The FWDG hold tryouts once a year following a skating boot camp typically held in the summertime. Visit our contact page for more information on tryouts and what is required to become a FWDG.

What types of commitment is involved if I want to join the FWDG?
Not only do we have practice 3 times a week, but there are also numerous events outside of practice. Beginning in January, we have one to two bouts a month. Every skater (rostered or not) is required to attend the bouts and volunteer their time and skills to help our bouts run smoothly. We are also involved in numerous charity, marketing, fundraising, and recruiting events each year. Every skater is required to attend and participate in at least two of these events that are offered.

In addition to the above mentioned, all members of the league are responsible for helping on one of the many committees that keeps the league running.

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