Philly Roller Derby

Philly Roller Derby (PRD)[1] 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).[2]

Philly Roller Derby
Metro areaPhiladelphia, PA
CountryUnited States
Founded2005
TeamsLiberty Belles (A)
Block Party (B)
City Wide Specials (C)
Germantown Loose Cannons
Passyunk Punks
West Philly Warriors
Track type(s)Flat
VenueThe Roller Jawn
AffiliationsWFTDA
Websitehttp://www.phillyrollerderby.com/

League history

First organized as the Philly Roller Girls in 2005, the league debuted in 2006 as a four-team home league, comprising the Broad Street Butchers, the Heavy Metal Hookers, the Hostile City Honeys and the Philthy Britches.[3] The home teams competed for a league championship called the Warrior Cup. Later in 2006, Philly launched a travel team called the Liberty Belles, made of members of the home teams, that by November had hosted Gotham Girls Roller Derby (New York City)[4] and traveled to face the Sin City Rollergirls (Las Vegas).[5] Home events were held at Millennium Skate World in nearby Camden, New Jersey.[4]

League logo pre-2015

In March 2007[6] Philly first hosted East Coast Derby Extravaganza (ECDX), an invitational weekend tournament at the Sportsplex in Feasterville (which had also become the league regular home) that hit its 10th anniversary event in 2016.[7] By 2008, the Hostile Honeys had folded and the home league operated with three teams. In 2009, Philly moved into a temporary new home venue, the 23rd Street Armory,[8][9] where they were consistently drawing sold-out crowds of over 700 fans per event.[10]

Philly hosted the 2009 WFTDA Championships, dubbed "Declaration of Derby", at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.[11] Philly again hosted Championships in 2017, at the Liacouras Center.[12]

In early 2015, Philly announced an official name change to Philly Roller Derby, to both embrace gender inclusivity and to put the emphasis more on the sport than on the gender of those participating.[1][13]

Philly hosted the 2017 WFTDA Championships at the Liacouras Center.[14]

Teams

As of 2016, Philly Roller Derby has 4 teams, which compete against teams from other roller derby leagues. The Liberty Belles are Philly's all-star travel team, and represent the league at the highest level of interleague competition in the WFTDA. The Independence Dolls represent PRD against WFTDA "B" level travel teams, up-and-coming WFTDA "A" level travel teams and non-WFTDA all-star teams. Members of the Independence Dolls serve as alternates for The Liberty Belles. Together, these 30 skaters make up PRD's International All-Star travel team contingent.

The Block Party represents Philly Roller Derby primarily against regional competitors. Considered a pick-up team, the Block Party is composed of skaters not already skating for the Liberty Belles or Independence Dolls who are interested in additional competitive playing time. The Cheeseskates is a team limited to first year Philly Roller Derby skaters (fresh meat or transfers).

Philly Home Team Championship
Season Champion Second Place Third Place
2006 Philthy Brithches Broad Street Butchers Heavy Metal Hookers
2007 Philthy Brithches Broad Street Butchers Heavy Metal Hookers
2008 Philthy Brithches Broad Street Butchers Heavy Metal Hookers
2009 Philthy Brithches Heavy Metal Hookers Broad Street Butchers
2010 Broad Street Butchers Philthy Brithches Heavy Metal Hookers
2011 Philthy Brithches Broad Street Butchers Heavy Metal Hookers
2012 Heavy Metal Hookers Broad Street Butchers Philthy Brithches
2013 NO Home Team
2014 NO Home Team
2015 NO Home Team
2016 NO Home Team
2017 Germantown Loose Cannons Passssyunk Punks West Philly Warriors
2018 Germantown Loose Cannons Passssyunk Punks West Philly Warriors
2019 Passssyunk Punks Germantown Loose Cannons West Philly Warriors
2020

WFTDA competition
2006 map showing the first 30 WFTDA member leagues

Philly's Liberty Belles first appeared at WFTDA Playoffs at the first WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament, "Heartland Havoc" in Columbus, Ohio, where they were eliminated by Gotham in the second round.[15] The following year in Madison, a narrow loss to Gotham in the semifinal put Philly in the third-place game at Eastern Regionals, which they won against Carolina Rollergirls 112-48 to qualify for WFTDA Championships for the first time.[16] At Championships in Portland, Oregon, Philly opened with a narrow victory over Bay Area Derby Girls which matched them up - again - against Gotham in the semifinal, who won handily.[17] Philly ultimately took third place with a 114-95 victory against Texas Rollergirls.[17]

At the 2009 East Region Tournament "Wicked Wheels of the East" in Raleigh, the Liberty Belles finally defeated Gotham 90-89 to take first place.[18] In 2009, PRG hosted the WFTDA Championships in Philadelphia,[11] where the Philly Roller Girls had a bye past the first round due to their first-place regional seeding. In the quarterfinals, the Liberty Belles were defeated in overtime by the West #2 seed Rocky Mountain Rollergirls 128-121, eliminating them from the tournament.[19]

In 2010, Philly again faced Gotham in the East Region Final, this time with Gotham winning 133-103, placing Philly in second.[20] At the "Uproar on the Lakeshore" 2010 Championships in Chicago, the Liberty Belles defeated Mad Rollin' Dolls and the Kansas City Roller Warriors in the opening rounds, and then lost their semifinal to Oly Rollers, pitting them against Gotham in the third place game, which they lost 162-51 to finish in fourth place.[21]

The Liberty Belles met Gotham for the fifth straight Eastern Regional Tournament in 2011, losing the final 252-97 to again finish in second place.[22] At Championships, following an opening round victory over Naptown Roller Girls, Philly lost to Oly in the quarterfinals, 181-95.[23] For the fourth straight year, Philly faced - and lost to - Gotham in the East Region final, to again finish the tournament in second place.[24] At Champs, Philly lost in the opening round to Bay Area, 169-119.[25]

Beginning in 2013, the WFTDA moved to a divisional system instead of geographic for playoff tournaments, and he Liberty Belles qualified for the 2013 Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1 playoff tournament in Richmond, Virginia,[26] at which they finished in second place with a 253-210 loss to Texas.[27] At that year's Championships in Milwaukee, Philly lost in the opening round to Windy City Rollers, 221-174.[28] After finishing third at the 2014 Division 1 tournament in Charleston,[29] the Liberty Belles lost to Denver Roller Dolls in the opening round of Championships, 148-139.[30] In 2015, Philly missed WFTDA Championships for the first time since 2007, by finishing in fourth place at the Division 1 Playoff in Dallas with a 178-154 loss to Rat City Rollergirls of Seattle.[31] Philly had a repeat result in 2016 with a second consecutive day 3 loss to Rat City at the Vancouver Division 1 tournament, 134-114, to again finish in fourth place and miss Championships.[32] At the 2017 Division 1 tournament in Dallas, Philly won their opening game against Arizona Roller Derby 163-108.[33] After losing their quarterfinal to Victorian Roller Derby League, Philly finished their weekend by winning their consolation round game against Santa Cruz Derby Girls 156-106.[34]

In 2018, Philly qualified for WFTDA Playoffs as the eighth seed in A Coruña, Spain, and opened their weekend by defeating Stockholm Roller Derby by a score of 204-154.[35] For the second year in a row, Philly ended their weekend in the consolation round against Santa Cruz, this time losing by a score of 186-139.[36]

In 2019, Philly qualified for WFTDA Playoffs as the third seed in Seattle, and opened their weekend by defeating London Roller Derby by a score of 199-121. For the second game Philly took on second seed Montreal Roller Derby, losing 181-147. Philly defeated Crime City Rollers by a score of 156-104 to win the bronze medal, qualifying for WFTDA Championships for the first time since 2014.[37]

Rankings
Season Final ranking[38] Playoffs Championship
2006 18 WFTDA[39] — N/A
2007 10 WFTDA[40] R2 E[15] DNQ
2008 2 E[41] 3 E[16] 3[17]
2009 2 E[42] 1 E[18] QF[19]
2010 2 E[43] 2 E[20] 4[21]
2011 2 E[44] 2 E[22] QF[23]
2012 2 E[45] 2 E[24] R1[25]
2013 14 WFTDA[46] 2 D1[27] R1 D1[28]
2014 10 WFTDA[47] 3 D1[29] R1 D1[30]
2015 11 WFTDA[48] 4 D1[31] DNQ
2016 17 WFTDA[49] 4 D1[32] DNQ
2017 25 WFTDA[50] CR D1[34] DNQ
2018 23 WFTDA[51] CR[36] DNQ
  • CR = consolation round

Community involvement

Philly donated a portion of ticket proceeds from the East Coast Derby Extravaganza tournament to benefit the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation in both 2007[52] and 2008.[53]

gollark: Those don't look like GF2P8INVAFFINEQB.
gollark: I assumed that was obvious.
gollark: <@!593113791252660224> I also need `GF2P8AFFINEQB` to be implemented.
gollark: I don't know if it's possible to write code without it.
gollark: But I *need* VPSHUFB.

References
  1. "PRESS RELEASE - No Longer Girls: Philly Roller Derby Rolls Into 2015". Philly Roller Derby. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  2. "Member Leagues". WFTDA. April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 April 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  3. "MEET THE TEAMS & PLAYERS". Philly Roller Girls. Archived from the original on 15 June 2006. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  4. Honeyford, Brooke (20 October 2006). "Guts and glory Philly's all-female roller derby team will duke it out this weekend with Gotham's best to see who can rule the rink". philly.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  5. Durso Jr., Fred (16 November 2006). "Track and beat". www.southphillyreview.com. South Philly Review. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  6. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (2 June 2009). "ECE 2009 Saturday Preview | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  7. "2016 ECDX Central". Derby Central. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  8. "Events - 23rd Street Armoury". Philly Roller Girls. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  9. Simpson, Leigh (19 March 2009). "Why You Should Love The Philly Roller Girls - Phillyist". phillyist.com. Phillyist. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  10. Otterbein, Holly (23 September 2009). "The Fierce Philly Roller Girls". citypaper.net. Philadelphia Citypaper. Archived from the original on 6 October 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  11. Whittaker, Richard (27 November 2009). "Electric Skaterland". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  12. Larrison, Brad (6 November 2017). "Philly hosts women's roller derby championships". WHYY-FM. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  13. Defiance, Brooklyn (11 February 2015). "What's in a Name? | Derby Central". Derby Central. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  14. Larrison, Brad (6 November 2017). "Philly hosts women's roller derby championships". WHYY. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  15. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (19 August 2007). "Heartland Havoc: Day Two | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  16. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (12 October 2008). "Eastern Regionals: Complete Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  17. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (20 November 2008). "2008 WFTDA Nationals: Complete Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  18. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (14 September 2009). "Philly Upsets Gotham for Eastern Regional Championship, 90-89 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  19. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (14 November 2009). "2009 Nationals: Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
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  22. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (18 September 2011). "East Championship: 1E Gotham Takes East Title Over 2E Philly for 2nd Straight Year, 252-97 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  23. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (12 November 2012). "Championships Quarterfinal: 1W Oly Bounces 2E Philly, 181-95 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  24. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (1 October 2012). "East Championship: 1E Gotham Repeats on 2E Philly, 232-107 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  25. Talionis, Lex (2 November 2012). "Championships Opening Round: 3W Bay Area Rebuffs 2E Philly, 169-119 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  26. "D1 Playoffs Richmond, VA". WFTDA. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  27. Talionis, Lex (15 September 2013). "D1R Final: (2) Texas Rides Out (4) Philly, 253-210 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  28. "D1C: Windy Storms Philly, 221-174 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  29. "Oct. 3-5: Charleston, West Virginia, USA - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  30. "2014 WFTDA Champs: Denver v Philly". Derby Central. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  31. Fristoe, Chelsea (13 September 2015). "D1D: #4 Rat City Traps #3 Philly Roller Derby, 178-154". Derby Central. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  32. "D1V: #3 Rat City cracks #4 Philly, 134-114". Derby Central. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  33. "D1D: #8 Philly pushes past #9 Arizona, 163-108". Derby Central. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  34. "D1D: #8 Philly rings in a win over #7 Santa Cruz, 156-106". Derby Central. 24 September 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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  36. "2018 Playoffs A Coruña Game 13: Philly vs. Santa Cruz – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  37. "Denver Roller Derby Wins 2019 International WFTDA Playoffs: Seattle". WFTDA. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  38. "Current Rankings", WFTDA
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  40. "Current WFTDA Rankings", Derby News Network, October 2007
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  45. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
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  52. "HERA Ovarian Cancer Foundation". herafoundation.org. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  53. "Philly Roller Girls Hosting Second Annual East Coast Derby Extravaganza to Benefit HERA Women's Cancer Foundation" (PDF). herafoundation.org. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
Preceded by
Gotham Girls Roller Derby		 WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament winners
2009		 Succeeded by
Gotham Girls Roller Derby
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