Philly Roller Derby

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.{{cite web|title=MEET THE TEAMS & PLAYERS|url=http://www.phillyrollergirls.com/skaters/index.shtml|publisher=Philly Roller Girls|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615185657/http://www.phillyrollergirls.com/skaters/index.shtml|archive-date=15 June 2006}} 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){{cite web|last1=Honeyford|first1=Brooke|title=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|url=http://articles.philly.com/2006-10-20/entertainment/25416905_1_leo-seltzer-rollergirls-roller-derby-star|website=philly.com|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430135924/http://articles.philly.com/2006-10-20/entertainment/25416905_1_leo-seltzer-rollergirls-roller-derby-star|archive-date=30 April 2015|date=20 October 2006}} and traveled to face the Sin City Rollergirls (Las Vegas).{{cite web|last1=Durso Jr.|first1=Fred|title=Track and beat|url=http://www.southphillyreview.com/2006/nov/16/track_and_beat-79677982/#.WE7hXH3krF8|website=www.southphillyreview.com|publisher=South Philly Review|access-date=12 December 2016|date=16 November 2006}} Home events were held at Millennium Skate World in nearby Camden, New Jersey.

Image:Philly Roller Girls seal.png

In March 2007{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=ECE 2009 Saturday Preview {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2009/06/25/ece_2009_saturday_preview/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=12 December 2016|date=2 June 2009}} 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.{{cite web|title=2016 ECDX Central|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2016/06/2016-ecdx-central/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=12 December 2016|date=17 June 2016}} 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,{{cite web|title=Events - 23rd Street Armoury|url=http://phillyrollerderby.com/events/venueevents/14-23rd-street-armory|publisher=Philly Roller Girls|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130002415/http://phillyrollerderby.com/events/venueevents/14-23rd-street-armory|archive-date=30 January 2009}}{{cite web|last1=Simpson|first1=Leigh|title=Why You Should Love The Philly Roller Girls - Phillyist|url=http://phillyist.com/2009/03/19/why_you_should_love_the_philly_roll.php|website=phillyist.com|publisher=Phillyist|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322025456/http://phillyist.com/2009/03/19/why_you_should_love_the_philly_roll.php|archive-date=22 March 2009|date=19 March 2009}} where they were consistently drawing sold-out crowds of over 700 fans per event.{{cite web|last1=Otterbein|first1=Holly|title=The Fierce Philly Roller Girls|url=http://citypaper.net/articles/2009/09/24/philly-roller-girls|website=citypaper.net|publisher=Philadelphia Citypaper|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006025155/http://citypaper.net/articles/2009/09/24/philly-roller-girls|archive-date=6 October 2009|date=23 September 2009}}

Philly hosted the 2009 WFTDA Championships, dubbed "Declaration of Derby", at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.{{cite web|last1=Whittaker|first1=Richard|title=Electric Skaterland|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/sports/2009-11-27/921441/|website=The Austin Chronicle|access-date=12 December 2016|date=27 November 2009}} Philly again hosted Championships in 2017, at the Liacouras Center.{{cite web|last1=Larrison|first1=Brad|title=Philly hosts women's roller derby championships|url=https://whyy.org/articles/philly-hosts-womens-roller-derby-championships/|publisher=WHYY-FM|access-date=4 January 2018|date=6 November 2017}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Defiance|first1=Brooklyn|title=What's in a Name? {{!}} Derby Central|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2015/02/whats-name/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=12 December 2016|date=11 February 2015}}

Philly hosted the 2017 WFTDA Championships at the Liacouras Center.{{cite web |last1=Larrison |first1=Brad |title=Philly hosts women's roller derby championships |url=https://whyy.org/articles/philly-hosts-womens-roller-derby-championships/ |website=WHYY |access-date=18 September 2019 |date=6 November 2017}}

As of 2016, Philly Roller Derby has four teams,{{Cite web |title=Philly Roller Derby {{!}} Roller Derby Stats & Rankings {{!}} Flat Track Stats |url=http://flattrackstats.com/teams/3394 |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=flattrackstats.com}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Philly's bad-ass roller derby team will compete in the international championships |url=https://billypenn.com/2019/10/21/phillys-bad-ass-roller-derby-team-will-compete-in-the-international-championships/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Billy Penn |date=21 October 2019 |language=en-US}}

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).

PRD run a junior roller derby league, Philly Roller Derby Juniors, open to skaters from 6-18 years old who play by the JRDA ruleset.{{Cite web |title=About the PRD Juniors Program – Philly Roller Derby |url=https://phillyrollerderby.com/juniors/about-prdj/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |language=en-US}}

{{update section|date=October 2023}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=Heartland Havoc: Day Two {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2007/08/19/heartland_havoc_day_two/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=12 December 2016|date=19 August 2007}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=Eastern Regionals: Complete Capsule Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2008/10/10/eastern_regionals_complete_capsule_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=12 December 2016|date=12 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104040117/http://www.derbynews.net/2008/10/10/eastern_regionals_complete_capsule_recaps/|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=2008 WFTDA Nationals: Complete Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2008/11/20/2008_wftda_nationals_complete_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=12 December 2016|date=20 November 2008}} Philly ultimately took third place with a 114-95 victory against Texas Rollergirls.

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.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=Philly Upsets Gotham for Eastern Regional Championship, 90-89 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2009/09/philly_upsets_gotham_eastern_regional_championship_90_89|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=12 December 2016|date=14 September 2009}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2009, PRG hosted the WFTDA Championships in Philadelphia, 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.{{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=12 December 2016|date=14 November 2009}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2010, Philly again faced Gotham in the East Region Final, this time with Gotham winning 133-103, placing Philly in second.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=2010 East Region Playoffs Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2010/09/24/2010_east_region_playoffs_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=13 December 2016|date=26 September 2010|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511183411/http://www.derbynews.net/2010/09/24/2010_east_region_playoffs_recaps/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Killer|first1=Garrison|title=2010 WFTDA Championships Recaps {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2010/11/05/2010_wftda_championships_recaps/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=13 December 2016|date=7 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153123/http://www.derbynews.net/2010/11/05/2010_wftda_championships_recaps/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=East Championship: 1E Gotham Takes East Title Over 2E Philly for 2nd Straight Year, 252-97 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2011/09/18/east_championship_1e_gotham_takes_east_title_over_2e_philly_2nd_straight_year_252_97/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=14 December 2016|date=18 September 2011}} At Championships, following an opening round victory over Naptown Roller Girls, Philly lost to Oly in the quarterfinals, 181-95.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=Championships Quarterfinal: 1W Oly Bounces 2E Philly, 181-95 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2011/11/12/championships_quarterfinal_1w_oly_bounces_2e_philly_181_95/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=14 December 2016|date=12 November 2012|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163145/http://www.derbynews.net/2011/11/12/championships_quarterfinal_1w_oly_bounces_2e_philly_181_95/|url-status=dead}} For the fourth straight year, Philly faced - and lost to - Gotham in the East Region final, to again finish the tournament in second place.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Justice Feelgood|title=East Championship: 1E Gotham Repeats on 2E Philly, 232-107 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2012/10/01/east_championship_1e_gotham_repeats_2e_philly_232_107/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=14 December 2016|date=1 October 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At Champs, Philly lost in the opening round to Bay Area, 169-119.{{cite web|last1=Talionis|first1=Lex|title=Championships Opening Round: 3W Bay Area Rebuffs 2E Philly, 169-119 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2012/11/02/championships_opening_round_3w_bay_area_rebuffs_2e_philly_169_119/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=14 December 2016|date=2 November 2012}}

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,{{cite web|title=D1 Playoffs Richmond, VA|url=http://wftda.org/tournaments/2013/richmond|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=13 November 2013}} at which they finished in second place with a 253-210 loss to Texas.{{cite web|last1=Talionis|first1=Lex|title=D1R Final: (2) Texas Rides Out (4) Philly, 253-210 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2013/09/15/d1r_final_2_texas_rides_out_4_philly_253_210/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=14 December 2016|date=15 September 2013}} At that year's Championships in Milwaukee, Philly lost in the opening round to Windy City Rollers, 221-174.{{cite web|title=D1C: Windy Storms Philly, 221-174 {{!}} Derby News Network|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2013/11/09/d1c_windy_storms_philly_221_174/|publisher=Derby News Network|access-date=14 December 2016|date=9 November 2013}} After finishing third at the 2014 Division 1 tournament in Charleston,{{cite web|title=Oct. 3-5: Charleston, West Virginia, USA - Women's Flat Track Derby Association|url=https://wftda.org/tournaments/2014/charleston|website=wftda.org|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=14 December 2016}} the Liberty Belles lost to Denver Roller Dolls in the opening round of Championships, 148-139.{{cite web|title=2014 WFTDA Champs: Denver v Philly|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2014/10/denver-roller-dolls-vs-philly-roller-girls/|website=Derby Central|access-date=14 December 2016|date=31 October 2014}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Fristoe|first1=Chelsea|title=D1D: #4 Rat City Traps #3 Philly Roller Derby, 178-154.|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2015/09/d1d-4-rat-city-traps-3-philly-roller-derby-178-154/|website=Derby Central|access-date=14 December 2016|date=13 September 2015}} 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.{{cite web|title=D1V: #3 Rat City cracks #4 Philly, 134-114|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2016/09/d1v-3-rat-city-cracks-4-philly-134-114/|website=Derby Central|access-date=14 December 2016|date=18 September 2016}} At the 2017 Division 1 tournament in Dallas, Philly won their opening game against Arizona Roller Derby 163-108.{{cite web|title=D1D: #8 Philly pushes past #9 Arizona, 163-108|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2017/09/d1d-8-philly-pushes-past-9-arizona-163-108/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=4 January 2018|date=22 September 2017}} 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.{{cite web|title=D1D: #8 Philly rings in a win over #7 Santa Cruz, 156-106|url=http://www.derbycentral.net/2017/09/d1d-8-philly-rings-in-another-win-over-7-santa-cruz-156-106/|publisher=Derby Central|access-date=4 January 2018|date=24 September 2017}}

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.{{cite web |title=2018 Playoffs A Coruña Game 1: Philly vs. Stockholm – WFTDA |url=https://wftda.com/2018-playoffs-a-coruna-game-1-philly-vs-stockholm/ |website=wftda.com |publisher=WFTDA |access-date=17 January 2019 |date=31 August 2018}} 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.{{cite web |title=2018 Playoffs A Coruña Game 13: Philly vs. Santa Cruz – WFTDA |url=https://wftda.com/2018-playoffs-a-coruna-game-13-philly-vs-santa-cruz/ |website=wftda.com |publisher=WFTDA |access-date=17 January 2019 |date=2 September 2018}}

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.{{cite web |title=Denver Roller Derby Wins 2019 International WFTDA Playoffs: Seattle |url=https://wftda.com/denver-roller-derby-wins-2019-international-wftda-playoffs-seattle/ |website=WFTDA |access-date=18 September 2019 |date=16 September 2019}} At the 2019 WFTDA International Championships in Montreal, Canada, Philly Liberty Belles opened their weekend by defeating eighth-seeded Texas Rollergirls by a score of 136-114. For the second game Philly took on top seed Rose City Rollers, losing 205-50. For the third game Philly took on sixth seed Montreal Roller Derby, losing 135-115.

The 2020 WFTDA season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

• CR = consolation round

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{{cite web|title=HERA Ovarian Cancer Foundation|url=http://www.herafoundation.org/press-releases/philly-roller-girls-hosting-east-coast-extravaganza-to-benefit-hera-women%E2%80%99s-cancer-foundation/|website=herafoundation.org|access-date=12 December 2016|date=6 March 2007}} and 2008.{{cite web|title=Philly Roller Girls Hosting Second Annual East Coast Derby Extravaganza to Benefit HERA Women's Cancer Foundation|url=http://www.herafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HERA_RollerGirlsPressRelease.pdf|website=herafoundation.org|access-date=12 December 2016|date=14 February 2008}}

{{sources|section|date=January 2021}}

• Castro - 06
• The Cyclone - 63

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://www.phillyrollerderby.com Philly Roller Derby Official Website]

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{{succession box|title=WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament winners|years=2009|before=Gotham Girls Roller Derby|after=Gotham Girls Roller Derby}}

{{s-end}}

{{WFTDA Division 1}}

{{Philadelphia Sports}}

{{Pennsylvania Sports}}

Category:Sports in Philadelphia

Category:Roller derby leagues in Pennsylvania

Category:Women's sports in Philadelphia

Category:Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1

Category:Roller derby leagues established in 2005

Category:2005 establishments in Pennsylvania