Providence Roller Derby

Last updated
Providence Roller Derby
PRD logo.JPG
Metro area Providence, Rhode Island
Country United States
Founded2004
TeamsRhode Island Riveters (A team)
Killah Bees (B team)
Mob Squad
Old Money Honeys
Sakonnet River Roller Rats
Track type(s)Flat
VenueThayer Arena
AffiliationsWFTDA
Org. typenon-profit (member-managed) [1]
Website providencerollerderby.com

Providence Roller Derby (PRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 2004 as the first all-female flat-track roller derby league in New England, [2] Providence is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). [3]

Contents

History

Sarah Kingan, using the derby name "Sarah Doom", a Brown University alumna, established Providence Roller Derby in 2004. She originally trained with Tucson Roller Derby while on an internship in Tucson, Arizona. After moving back to New England, she started the league in Providence. Skaters were recruited and trained for over a year before creating teams and public bouting. [4] Kingan soon left Providence to pursue a doctorate at Harvard University [2] and shortly thereafter helped found the Boston Derby Dames. [5]

The league's first two teams were the Providence Mob Squad and the Sakonnet River Roller Rats, comprising skaters aged 19 to 29, and the league's first exhibition bout was May 1, 2005 at the outdoor Bank of America Skating Center. [6] The weather report predicted sun by the afternoon, but when the teams showed up the rink was completely flooded, and head referee Billy the Kid began squeegeeing water off the track until rink staff arrived and used a zamboni to dry the surface. Eventually the Mob Squad claimed the first victory. David Cicilline, the then-mayor of Providence, attended the first game. [2] Season one culminated in New England's first interleague bout between Boston and Providence in October 2005, won by Providence. [7]

In 2006, Providence Roller Derby introduced a third team: the Old Money Honeys. [8] The Old Money Honeys lost their first game of the season but won the season Championship 136-114 against the Sakonnet River Roller Rats, [2] under the leadership of Dolly Rocket and including powerful skaters such as Lotta Pain, Anna Wrecks'Ya, Jean Harlot and Craisy Dukes in her debut season. This season also debuted notable vets Sass E. McNasty (Old Money Honeys) and Baby Fighterfly (Sakonnet River Roller Rats).

In the 2007 season, The Mob Squad reigned undefeated and won the championship. Lotta Pain was the 2007 Mob Squad team captain. The team included notable veteran skaters such as Burnin' Helen, Baby Fighterfly, Elle Razor and jammer/blocker phenom, daSilva Bullet. This also marked the debut season for Rhode Kill on The Mob Squad.

The 2009 season marked the first Championship win for the Sakonnet River Roller Rats with Craisy Dukes as team captain. With the recruitment of stand-outs such as Trophy Knife and Kid Ace, the Rats formed a team with intense skill and teamwork. They skated away with their first win at the big game and would follow up with back-to-back Championship trophies in 2010 under the leadership of Kid Ace.

PRD's 2011 season began with The Mob Squad coming off of a 2-year losing streak, having not won a single game since the 2008 season. Baby Fighterfly became the new captain, and the Mob were able to take their team to an undefeated season for a 2nd time with notables Hit and Run Paulene, Ruca A. Salt, Rhode Kill, Bleeding Rainbow, Sweet Tease, Rumbledore and The Phury. New skaters Citizen Toxie and Tiger Bomb were standouts in their first season as well, giving the Mob a well-rounded team to take back the trophy and become PRD's most winningest Championship team.

PRD formerly held practices in Narragansett in the winter months and outside at the Bank of America Skating Center in the warmer season. [9] As of May 2015, with the closure of the Narragansett Ocean Club skating rink, the league is searching for a permanent home. PRD has the support of the Mayor and the city. The league makes a concerted effort to be involved in and support community events and local businesses by making appearances marching in parades, volunteer work in the community, working with local charities and holding fundraisers.

Home Season Championships

SeasonChampionRunner UpFinal score
2005Mob SquadSakonnet River Roller Rats
2006Old Money Honeys [2] Sakonnet River Roller Rats
2007Mob SquadOld Money Honeys
2008Old Money HoneysThe Mob Squad
2009Sakonnet River Roller RatsOld Money Honeys
2010Sakonnet River Roller RatsOld Money Honeys
2011Mob SquadOld Money Honeys

Travel teams

Since their formation, the Rhode Island Riveters A team has played in what were once known as the "Big 5" tournaments (WFTDA Playoffs and/or Championships) numerous times. In February 2006, Providence's Rhode Island Riveters, including Dolly Rocket, daSilva Bullet, Shirley Trample, Ratt Scallion, Sweet Destruction and Jailbird Jenny debuted at Dust Devil in February, the first WFTDA Championships. [10] In 2006 Providence defeated the Gotham Girls Roller Derby All-Stars of New York City at the Rhode Island Convention Center that summer. [11] Later in 2006, the Riveters lost to the Carolina Rollergirls at Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. [12] Providence competed at the first WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament, known as "Heartand Havoc", as the sixth seed in 2007, and was eliminated in the second round following a 98-55 loss to Carolina. [13] At the 2008 Eastern Regionals, Providence lost to Detroit Derby Girls, Grand Raggidy Roller Girls and Minnesota Rollergirls and finished in 12th place. [14] At the 2009 Eastern Regional tournament, Providence lost their opening game to Gotham, then defeated CT RollerGirls, and then lost to Carolina to finish in sixth place. [15] In 2010, Providence opened the Eastern Playoff by defeating the Dutchland Rollers, but then lost to Gotham, Steel City and Montreal Roller Derby to finish in eighth place. [16]

Rankings

Season Final ranking [17] Playoffs Championship
200610 WFTDA [18] 11 [19]
200718 WFTDA [20] R2 E [13] DNQ
2008NR [21] 12 E [14] DNQ
20096 E [22] 6 E [15] DNQ
20108 E [23] 8 E [16] DNQ
201113 E [24] DNQDNQ
201218 E [25] DNQDNQ
201392 WFTDA [26] DNQDNQ
201478 WFTDA [27] DNQDNQ
201591 WFTDA [28] DNQDNQ
201685 WFTDA [29] DNQDNQ

The Killah Bee's, Providence Roller Derby's B-team, was formed in early 2009. The Bee's have included many skaters who have graduated to the Riveter's roster as well as some alternates playing for both teams, including Shelby Bruisin', Rhoda Perdition, Cindy Lou Screw and Penny Candy Poison among many other talented skaters. The Bee's continue to field a competitive team of which the Riveters continues to bring skaters up to the nationally ranked roster.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Minnesota Roller Derby (MNRD) is a flat track roller derby league based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. Founded in August 2004 as Minnesota RollerGirls by the Donnelly sisters, MNRD was one of the first 30 members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) by early 2006. Today the league has over 80 skaters playing on four home teams as well as their All-Star team, which has qualified for WFTDA Playoffs every year since its inception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas City Roller Warriors</span> Roller derby league

The Kansas City Roller Warriors (KCRW) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Kansas City, Kansas that was founded in 2004. The members of the league are split into four home teams that play within the league and two travel teams that represent KCRW in competition with other leagues. KCRW is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and the Kansas City Roller Warriors All Star travel team was the winner of the 2007 WFTDA Championships, the "Texas Shootout", which took place in Austin, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Carolina Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Raleigh, North Carolina. Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and founded in January 2004, Carolina is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Rollergirls</span> Roller derby league

Texas Rollergirls is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Austin, Texas. Founded in early 2003 and widely credited as the league that started the modern roller derby movement, the Texas Rollergirls were the first flat-track league in the nation to play a version of roller derby using new standardized rules and a track design based on the dimensions of the old banked tracks. As flat-track derby caught on in other American cities, the Texas Rollergirls' rulebook and track design eventually evolved into the specifications that were adopted and ratified upon formation of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in 2005, of which Texas is a founding member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Ohio Roller Derby (OHRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 2005, the league currently consists of two mixed teams which compete against teams from other leagues. Ohio Roller Derby is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gotham Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Gotham Roller Derby is a flat track roller derby league based in New York City, New York. Founded in late 2003, Gotham is the first flat track roller derby league in the metropolitan New York area and a founding member league of the sport's governing body, the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Gotham is one of the preeminent leagues in roller derby, having won five WFTDA Championships. Today, the league is composed of four New York City-based teams, three travel teams, a competitive developmental team, a non competitive recreational program and a juniors program for youth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DC Rollergirls</span> Roller derby league

DC Rollergirls is a women's flat track roller derby league in Washington, D.C. DC Rollergirls is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tallahassee RollerGirls</span> Roller derby league

Tallahassee RollerGirls is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Tallahassee, Florida. Founded in 2006, Tallahassee is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Boston Roller Derby, (BRD), is a flat-track roller derby league based in Boston, Massachusetts. The league was founded as Boston Derby Dames in May 2005, and is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The league's all-star team, the Boston Massacre, was one of the top 25 WFTDA Division 1 teams in the world through most of the duration of the divisional ranking system introduced in early 2013, and as of December 31, 2015, the Massacre was ranked at 21. Boston won the WFTDA Division 2 Championship in 2017 and the North America East Continental Cup in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philly Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Philly Roller Derby (PRD) is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2005, Philly Roller Derby is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oly Rollers</span> Roller derby league

The Oly Rollers are a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Olympia, Washington. Founded in February 2006, the Oly Rollers have won both the WFTDA Championship and the USARS National Championship. The Oly Rollers are a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

Demolition City Roller Derby (DCRD) is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Evansville, Indiana, and is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutchland Derby Rollers</span> Roller derby league

Dutchland Derby Rollers or Dutchland Rollers, is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2005, the Dutchland Rollers have been a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) since 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naptown Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Naptown Roller Derby (NRD) is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 2006, the league started their 10th season in March 2016. Naptown Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The home bouts of Naptown Roller Derby are held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brewcity Bruisers</span> Roller derby league

The Brewcity Bruisers is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 2005, the league played their tenth season in 2016. The Bruisers are a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burning River Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Burning River Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 2006, Burning River is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Connecticut Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Naugatuck, Connecticut. Founded in 2006, the league reached its 10th anniversary in 2016. Connecticut Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominion Derby Girls</span> Roller derby league

Dominion Derby Girls is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Dominion Derby Girls is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Memphis Roller Derby, or MRD, is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 2006, Memphis Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Raggidy Roller Derby</span> Sports league

Grand Raggidy Roller Derby is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 2005, the league is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

References

  1. PROVIDENCE ROLLER DERBY, LLC Summary Screen
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Firestone, Chaz (8 December 2006). "Providence Roller Derby part of sport's national revival". Brown Daily Herald. Brown Daily Herald . Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  3. "Member Leagues". WFTDA. April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 April 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  4. Dubois, Paul "Duke". "SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE - Does anyone remember roller derby matches?". valleybreeze.com. The Valley Breeze. Archived from the original on 9 January 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  5. "Kingan | Royce Fellowship". www.brown.edu. Brown University. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  6. Sweeney, Emily (30 April 2005). "Wham! Bam! Outta my way, ma'am!". Boston.com. Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 16 August 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  7. "WFTDA Preview: Providence @ #10 Boston | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  8. Recreation in the Blackstone Valley [usurped]
  9. The College Hill Independent Archived 2007-12-09 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Day Two at the Dust Devil | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network. 25 February 2006. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  11. "8/26/06: Gotham (90) @ Providence (111) | Roller Derby Stats & Rankings | Flat Track Stats". flattrackstats.com. Flat Track Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  12. "11/19/06: Providence (102) @ Carolina (131) | Roller Derby Stats & Rankings | Flat Track Stats". flattrackstats.com. Flat Track Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  13. 1 2 Marshall, Justice Feelgood (19 August 2007). "Heartland Havoc: Day Two | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network . Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  14. 1 2 Marshall, Justice Feelgood (10 October 2008). "Eastern Regionals: Complete Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  15. 1 2 Marshall, Justice Feelgood (11 September 2009). "Eastern Regionals Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network . Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  16. 1 2 Marshall, Justice Feelgood (24 September 2010). "2010 East Region Playoffs Recaps | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network . Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  17. "Current Rankings", WFTDA
  18. "12/8/2006 WFTDA National Rankings". wftda.com. WFTDA. 8 December 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  19. "February 2006 Dust Devil Invitational Rankings". wftda.com. WFTDA. February 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  20. "Current WFTDA Rankings", Derby News Network , October 2007
  21. "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  22. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  23. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  24. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  25. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  26. "Rankings: December 31, 2013 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  27. "Rankings: December 31, 2014 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  28. "Rankings: December 31, 2015 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  29. "Rankings: December 31, 2016 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 2 January 2018.