Houston Roller Derby
{{Short description|Roller derby league}}
{{Infobox roller derby league
| name = Houston Roller Derby
| founded = 2004
| metro area = Houston, Texas
| country = United States
| logo = Houston Roller Derby.jpg
| teams = All Stars (A and B team)
The Bayou City Bosses
The Brawlers
The Psych Ward Sirens
The Valkyries
Machete Betties (rec team)
| tracks = Flat
| venue = Bayou Music Center
| orgtype = 501(c) (3)
| affiliations = WFTDA
| url = {{URL|http://houstonrollerderby.com}}
}}
Houston Roller Derby (HRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Houston, Texas.{{cite web|title=Houston Roller Derby – WFTDA|url=https://wftda.com/wftda-leagues/houston-roller-derby/|website=wftda.com|date=22 August 2016 |publisher=WFTDA|access-date=25 March 2017}} HRD was founded in early 2004,{{cite web|last1=Plocek|first1=Keith|title=Roller Grrrls|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/roller-grrrls-6546966|website=Houston Press|publisher=Houston Press|access-date=25 March 2017|date=12 January 2006}} and is a founding member league of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).{{cite web|title=Member Leagues|url=http://www.wftda.com/leagues.html|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060409234803/http://www.wftda.com/leagues.html|archive-date=9 April 2006|date=April 2006}}
History
Originally formed in early 2004 as the Space City Rollergirls, Houston Roller Derby split from their founding group in the pursuit of an all-skater owned league, after the founding members of Space City attempted to fire the league's coed training team. The new league focused on democratic leadership, with decisions made by committees with elected leaders. HRD's first bout took place in October 2005 at the Pasadena Convention Center, and by this time the league had about 60 members and consisted of four teams: The Bayou City Bosses, The Burlesque Brawlers, The Machete Betties and The Psych Ward Sirens.{{cite web|last1=Branch|first1=Jennifer|title=Roller derby brings in change of pace|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Roller-derby-brings-in-change-of-pace-9852092.php|website=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 March 2017|date=24 October 2005}} 2006 bouts took place at the Arabia Shrine Temple.Louis B. Parks, "Houston Chronicle," May 28, 2006, "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/3899561.html Good bad girls: The women of Roller Derby are a hit in Houston]", accessed February 25, 2010 The 2007{{cite web|title=Houston Roller Derby kicks off its second season|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Houston-Roller-Derby-kicks-off-its-second-season-9599050.php|website=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 March 2017|date=12 April 2007}} and 2008 season bouts took place at the Verizon Wireless Theater, with additional games held at Jopa Sports in Shenandoah.{{cite web|last1=Cochran|first1=Eliott|title=Ladies in the streets|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Ladies-in-the-streets-9380297.php|website=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 March 2017|date=22 June 2008}} The 2009 and 2010 bouts took place at Kick's Indoor,{{cite web|title=Houston Roller Derby 2010 season promises thrills, competitive action|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Houston-Roller-Derby-2010-season-promises-9352841.php|website=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 March 2017|date=14 March 2010}} and the 2011 bouts took place at Houston Indoor Sports.{{cite web|last1=Guerrero|first1=Mauricio|title=Women's roller derby really packs a punch|url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/Women-s-roller-derby-really-packs-a-punch-1363907.php|website=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 March 2017|date=3 May 2011}} Houston Roller Derby filed as a public charity (Houston Rollergirls Inc. dba Houston Roller Derby) and received its tax-deductible 501(c)(3) non-profit status effective March 11, 2011.{{cite web|title=Exemption Verification|url=http://aixtcp.cpa.state.tx.us/exemptorgs/address.php?tp_id=32043811697|website=aixtcp.cpa.state.tx.us|publisher=Comptroller.Texas.gov|access-date=25 March 2017}} HRD's season bouts from the 2012 season forward take place in downtown Houston at Bayou Music Center (formerly the Verizon Wireless Theater).
Teams
Houston Roller Derby consists of four home teams{{cite web |url=http://houstonrollerderby.com/ |title=Home |website=houstonrollerderby.com}} that play within the league as well as against visiting teams from other WFTDA leagues. Houston Roller Derby also has an all-star travel team, formerly called HaRD Knocks but now referred to as the all-stars, which was formed in 2006 to play against other WFTDA leagues across the U.S. and in WFTDA tournaments and competitions. The HRD all-stars were one of twelve WFTDA teams who qualified to compete in the WFTDA Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2009.Craig Malisow, "Houston Press," Nov. 11, 2009, "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/11/roller_derby_1.php#more Houston's Roller Grrls Headed To National Championship]", accessed February 25, 2010 League skater Windigo played for Team Canada at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup.{{cite news|last=Mercy Less |title=Team Canada Roster Announced |url=http://derbynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/team_canada_roster_announced |access-date=9 December 2011 |newspaper=Derby News Network |date=5 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205005943/http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/team_canada_roster_announced |archive-date=5 December 2011 }}
Houston Roller Derby formed the travel team in 2006 to play against other WFTDA leagues across the country and in tournaments and competitions. The team's first interleague competition was the Dust Devil National Flat Track Derby Tournament held in February 2006. The Texas Rollergirls from Austin won the 20-team tournament held in Tucson, Arizona; HRD placed 13th.Lana Berkowitz, "Houston Chronicle", April 6, 2006, "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/3774276.html Rollergirl has Killa instinct]", accessed February 25, 2010
WFTDA competition
{{update section|date=October 2023}}
Houston Roller Derby competed at the first WFTDA Championships, the "Dust Devil" tournament, in 2006, where they finished in 13th place.{{cite web|title=February 2006 Dust Devil Invitational Rankings|url=http://wftda.com/stats2/2006_Tournaments.htm|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223171740/http://wftda.com/stats2/2006_Tournaments.htm|archive-date=23 February 2007}} Houston next competed at WFTDA Playoffs in 2008 as the 11th seed at that year's WFTDA Western Regional Tournament and finished in ninth place.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=Western Regionals: Complete Capsule Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2008/10/08/western_regionals_complete_capsule_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=8 October 2008}} Ahead of the 2009 season, the WFTDA adjusted its structure, and Houston was placed in the South Central Region. At that year's WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament, Houston was the third seed and finished in third place with a 113–101 victory over the Dallas Derby Devils to qualify for Championships.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=South Central Regionals Capsule Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2009/09/25/south_central_regionals_capsule_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=25 September 2009}} At Championships, Houston was eliminated by a 239–46 loss to Rocky Mountain Rollergirls in the opening round.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=2009 Nationals: Capsule Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2009/11/14/2009_nationals_capsule_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=14 November 2009}} In 2010, Houston was the seventh seed at the South Central Regional, and finished in seventh place by defeating Dallas 150–69.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=2010 South Central Region Playoffs Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2010/10/08/2010_south_central_region_playoffs_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=8 October 2010}} As the fifth seed at the 2011 South Central Playoff, Houston again finished in the seeded position at fifth, with a 173–157 victory over No Coast Derby Girls.{{cite web|title=South Central 5th Place: 5SC Houston Survives 7SC No Coast's Comeback, 173 – 157 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2011/10/02/south_central_5th_place_5sc_houston_survives_7sc_no_coasts_comeback_173_157/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=2 October 2011}} At the final South Central Regional in 2012, Houston was the third seed but went 1-2 and finished in ninth place by beating Jacksonville RollerGirls 255–155.{{cite web|last1=Talionis|first1=Lex|title=SC 9th Place: 3SC Houston Ices 10SC Jacksonville, 255-155 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2012/10/07/sc_9th_place_3sc_houston_ices_10sc_jacksonville_255_155/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=7 October 2012}}
In 2013 the WFTDA restructured playoffs again, and under the new divisional model Houston qualified as a Division 1 team as the seventh seed for the tournament in Asheville, North Carolina,{{cite web|title=September 20-22, 2013: Asheville, North Carolina - Women's Flat Track Derby Association|url=https://wftda.org/tournaments/2013/asheville|website=wftda.org|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=25 March 2017}} and finished in sixth place after a 202–185 loss to Steel City Derby Demons.{{cite web|last1=Talionis|first1=Lex|title=D1A 5th: (5) Steel City Comes Back On (7) Houston, 202-185 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2013/09/22/d1a_5th_5_steel_city_comes_back_7_houston_202_185/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=25 March 2017|date=22 September 2013}} Houston was the ninth seed at the 2014 Evansville Division 1 tournament, but lost their three games to finish in tenth.{{cite web|title=D1E: Results {{!}} Derby Central|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2014/09/evansville-results/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=25 March 2017|date=22 September 2014}} In 2015, Houston competed as the third seed at the Division 2 Playoff in Cleveland, and finished in fourth place, losing their final game to Santa Cruz Derby Girls 154–141.{{cite web|last1=Deadwards|first1=Lisa|title=D2C 3rd Place: #1 Santa Cruz outsteps #3 Houston, 154-141|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2015/08/d2c-3rd-place-1-santa-cruz-42-outsteps-3-houston-53-154-141/|website=Derby Central|access-date=25 March 2017|date=25 August 2015}} Houston returned to Division 2 in 2016 at Wichita as the second seed, but ultimately finished in sixth place, ending their weekend with a 184–181 loss to the Boulder County Bombers.{{cite web|title=D2W: #8 Boulder County makes playoff history defeating #2 Houston, 184-181|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2016/08/d2w-8-boulder-county-makes-playoff-history-defeating-2-houston-184-181/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=25 March 2017|date=21 August 2016}} In 2017 Houston returned to Division 1 Playoffs as the eleventh seed in Dallas, but lost to Queen City Roller Girls 195-104{{cite web|last1=Deadwards|first1=Lisa|title=D1D: #6 Queen City freeze out #11 Houston, 195-104|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2017/09/d1d-6-queen-city-freeze-out-11-houston-195-104/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=4 January 2018|date=22 September 2017}} and to Atlanta Rollergirls 323–143 to finish out of the medal round.{{cite web|last1=Khaos|first1=Merry|title=D1D: #5 Atlanta prevails over #11 Houston, 323-143|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2017/09/d1d-5-atlanta-prevails-over-11-houston-323-143/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=4 January 2018|date=25 September 2017}} In 2018 Houston received an invitation to a WFTDA Continental Cup, but declined their invitation.{{cite web |title=2018 WFTDA Playoff Bracket Releases to a Record Number of Declines |url=https://thederbyapex.com/2018-wftda-playoff-bracket-releases-to-a-record-number-of-declines-fdc66b296ba6 |website=The Apex |access-date=10 January 2019 |date=16 July 2018}}
WFTDA competition, including championships, went on hiatus following the 2019 competition. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to the sport, leading to the cancellation of the 2020 Championships and subsequent years. In 2023, the WFTDA announced a significant restructuring of its competitive play system, with a return to playoffs and championships in a new regional format for 2024.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2024 |title=WFTDA Announces New Regional Competitive System and Championships. |url=https://wftda.com/wftda-announces-new-regional-competitive-system-and-championships/#:~:text=The%20Women's%20Flat%20Track%20Derby,may%20opt%20to%20change%20regions. |website=Women's Flat Track Derby Association}}
=Rankings=
- CR = consolation round
- DNP = did not play
=Partial WFTDA sanctioned results=
{{update section|date=March 2017}}
| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:95%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:left;" |
| colspan="11" style="background:#B0B7BB; color:#000000;text-align:center"| Partial travel team bouting history {{as of|November 2011|lc=y}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:left; background:#ddd;"
! bgcolor="#ddddff" | Date ! bgcolor="#ddddff" | Opponent ! bgcolor="#ddddff" | Score ! bgcolor="#ddddff" | Location |
| 10/02/11
| No Coast Derby Girls | 173 HRD | Kansas City, Missouri, Show Me Der-B-Q - 2011 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 10/01/11
| Omaha Rollergirls | 170 HRD | Kansas City, Missouri, Show Me Der-B-Q - 2011 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 10/01/11
| Gold Coast Derby Grrls | 138 HRD | Kansas City, Missouri, Show Me Der-B-Q - 2011 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 09/30/11
| Atlanta Rollergirls | 133 AR | Kansas City, Missouri, Show Me Der-B-Q - 2011 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 09/10/11
| Assassination City Roller Derby | 182 HRD | Ft. Worth, Texas |
| 07/30/11
| Montreal Roller Derby | 126 MRD | Houston, Texas |
| 07/10/11
| Windy City Rollers | 171 WCR | Chicago, Illinois |
| 07/08/11
| Boston Derby Dames | 102 BDD | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 05/28/11
| Harrisburg Area Roller Derby | 303 HRD | Houston, Texas, 2011 Comicpalooza Convention |
| 05/14/11
| Green Country Roller Girls | 166 HRD | Huntsville, Alabama, 2011 Rocket City Rumble Tournament |
| 05/14/11
| Atlanta Rollergirls | 107 AR | Huntsville, Alabama, 2011 Rocket City Rumble Tournament |
| 04/03/11
| Green Country Roller Girls | 255 HRD | Dallas, Texas, 2011 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 04/03/11
| Texas Rollergirls | 119 TXRG | Dallas, Texas, 2011 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 04/02/11
| 223 HRD | Dallas, Texas, 2011 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 04/02/11
| Texas Rollergirls | 144 TXRG | Dallas, Texas, 2011 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 03/06/11
| Ohio Rollergirls | 193 HRD | Tampa Bay, Florida, 2011 Franky Panky Tournament |
| 03/06/11
| Gold Coast Derby Grrls | 214 HRD | Tampa Bay, Florida, 2011 Franky Panky Tournament |
| 03/05/11
| 107 HRD | Tampa Bay, Florida, 2011 Franky Panky Tournament |
| 02/13/11
| Texas Rollergirls | 197 TXRG | Beaumont, Texas, 2011 Governor's Cup Tournament |
| 02/13/11
| 153 HRD | Beaumont, Texas, 2011 Governor's Cup Tournament |
| 02/13/11
| Texas Rollergirls | 158 TXRG | Beaumont, Texas, 2011 Governor's Cup Tournament |
| 02/12/11
| Spindletop Roller Girls | 208 HRD | Beaumont, Texas, 2011 Governor's Cup Tournament |
| 02/12/11
| 124 HRD | Beaumont, Texas, 2011 Governor's Cup Tournament |
| 10/10/10
| 150 HRD | Lincoln, Nebraska, Amber Waves of Pain - 2010 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 10/09/10
| 144 TBDD | Lincoln, Nebraska, Amber Waves of Pain - 2010 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 10/08/10
| 237 HRD | Lincoln, Nebraska, Amber Waves of Pain - 2010 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 10/08/10
| Atlanta Rollergirls | 153 AR | Lincoln, Nebraska, Amber Waves of Pain - 2010 WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament |
| 08/28/10
| Assassination City Roller Derby | 276 HRD | Fort Worth, Texas, 2010 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 07/25/10
| Brewcity Bruisers | 120 BB | Milwaulkee, Wisconsin |
| 07/24/10
| Mad Rollin' Dolls Roller Derby | 180 MRDRD | Madison, Wisconsin |
| 06/05/10
| Steel City Derby Demons | 218 SCDD | Houston |
| 05/01/10
| Dixie Derby Girls | 188 HRD | Houston Texas |
| 03/07/10
| 150 TBDD | Fort Worth, Texas, 2010 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 03/06/10
| 141 DDD | Fort Worth, Texas, 2010 Clover Cup Tournament |
| 02/21/10
| 163 DDD | Austin, Texas, 2010 Governors Cup Tournament |
| 02/20/10
| 174 DDD | Austin, Texas, 2010 Governors Cup Tournament |
| 02/20/10
| Assassination City Roller Derby | 168 HRD | Austin, Texas, 2010 Governors Cup Tournament |
| 11/13/09
| 239 RMRG | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Declaration of Derby - 2009 WFTDA National Championship |
| 05/02/09
| [https://archive.today/20130118020313/http://www.atlantarollergirls.com/site_admin/arg-teams/dsdg Dirty South Derby Girls] | 127 HRD | Houston, Texas |
| 10/04/08
| 90 HRD | Houston, Texas, BattleRoyale - 2008 WFTDA Western Regional Tournament |
| 02/09/08
| 117 PPDD | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 01/06/08
| 126 HRD | Memphis, Tennessee |
| 09/16/07
| 114 HRD | Houston, Texas |
In media
In 2009, members of Houston Roller Derby were featured in Hard Knocks: Rolling with the Derby Girls, a photo collection book by Houston photographer Shelley Canton.{{cite web|title=Rolling with the Derby Girls|url=http://blog.chron.com/29-95/2009/10/rolling-with-the-derby-girls/|website=29-95|publisher=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 March 2017|date=15 October 2009}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.houstonrollerderby.com Houston Roller Derby Official Website] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220723065204/https://houstonrollerderby.com/ Archived Page]
- [http://www.wftda.com Women's Flat Track Derby Association Official Website]
{{Texas sports}}
{{WFTDA Division 1}}
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Texas
Category:Roller derby leagues in Texas
Category:Roller derby leagues established in 2005
Category:Women's sports in Houston
Category:Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1