As of today Rose City Rollers now allows 18+ year old skaters into their competitive training & play rosters.
Gratuitous Violet from AZRD - she was 18 the first time she played against WOJ a few years ago. I should know- she stayed at my place and I have trouble relating to anyone who can't share a drink with me.
Since RCR formed in 2004, the competitive teams have been exclusively 21-and-over. Considering the league was built on alcohol-enabled dreams at a local Portland bar, this shouldn’t surprise anyone- the league was intended to be an entertainment sport by and for adults, particularly those who could enjoy it beer-in-hand (off and sometimes on the track*). The decision by the league’s Board of Directors to open competitive play to younger adults- those 18-20 years of age- is the next step in a history of changes for both legitimizing roller derby as a sport and upholding the league’s mission statement.
The past couple of years have witnessed dramatic shifts in roller derby and Rose City derby in particular- especially as it opens up to more skaters.The Rosebuds junior derby league began just over two years ago, reaching out to Portland youth aged 12-18. While this opened the doors for younger skaters, it still left a gap in the accessibility of derby to all women. Then in 2008 RCR formed the Wreckers program- a recreational/non-competitive derby program which allowed skaters over the age of 18 to participate. The Wreckers 18+ allowance was a patchwork fix to the age gap- a skater could continue to skate from age 12 through Buds, Wreckers, and finally RCR.
In 2009 the film Whip It- the story of a teenager who runs away to join the roller derby- launched the popularity of derby in a younger audience (despite ridiculous Hollywood antics and dissimilarity to true flat track derby). RCR was ready to receive a new batch of eager young skaters, but didn’t allow them to compete in public, adult bouts. Rosebuds who aged out of their program, meanwhile, didn’t have an option (in Portland) to continue skating competitively. They had to wait until their 21st birthday to try out for RCR’s Fresh Meat training program- the first step for anyone who wishes to play for an RCR competitive home and/or travel team. There was definitely a disconnect between teenage dreams and drinking age reality.
Luce Bandit of TXRG playing against Rat City- according to Boxcar Bethy she's a "teen phenom" and "a graduate of the Tucson junior roller derby program"
RCR’s 21+ policy was not a national standard. WFTDA’s minimum age requirement is only 18, but our league chose to implement a 21+ requirement as it better served our venue, marketing, and sponsorship efforts of the time. Other derby leagues- including TXRG, Gotham, and AZRD, just to name a few- have allowed under-21 skaters on their competitive teams for years. In inter-league bouts it wasn’t uncommon for the Wheels of Justice to play against a team fielding 18, 19, and 20 year old skaters even though their own players had to be over 21.
Recently- spurred by the success of the Rosebud team and popularity of the Wreckers program- RCR has taken a hard look at this 21+ policy and the implications on skater development and competitive edge. It was a known issue that veteran Rosebud skaters, veterans from other derby leagues moving to Portland, and Wreckers with a passion for competitive derby play weren’t be allowed to train and bout with the Rose City adult competitive league. Considering some of the awesome under-21 talent we’ve seen in other leagues and our own Rosebuds bouts, there was definitely a sense that Rose City was missing out- and it was time to evolve or risk alienating talented skaters.
So starting today the Fresh Meat competitive training program will open its availability to all female skaters over 18 years of age. It’s not without a few stipulations- 18-20 year old skaters must have prior experience skating for another league, Wreckers, or Buds before they can try out- but it’s definitely a push in the right direction. RCR’s mission to “develop women of attitude, athleticism and passion to play a hard-hitting sport of speed and skill” is reaching out to even more women in the Portland area today and in the coming seasons you’ll see younger skaters on our home and travel teams competing at the highest level of national- and international- play. RCR continues to pioneer roller derby development as a sport- with hopes as big as being included in the Olympics- and I feel loosening the age restriction underscores that goal.
Braidy Punch- one of the Rosebuds' long-time, dedicated competivite skaters who will age out of the program in the coming year.
So welcome some fresh (young) faces to RCR’s competitive program. But please- don’t adhere to the traditional derby greeting of buying them a beer. We may allow ‘em to skate with the big girls, but we observe zero tolerance for under-age consumption.
Curious about why we’d want kids in our competitive program? Check out the good things fans are saying about Buds in the public forum.
I wasn’t able to compile a list of skater who are aging out of Buds or under-21 skaters you may see on teams next year, but if you wanna give a shout out to them in the comments feel free.
Tonight’s Fresh Meat Tryouts will be the first 18+ tryouts in RCR history- groundbreaking!
*skating while intoxicated is fun dangerous. I highly recommend you do it don’t ever try it.
