Rocket City Roller Derby
{{Short description|Roller derby league}}
{{Infobox roller derby league
| name = Rocket City Roller Derby
| founded = December 2004
| dissolved =
| metro area = Huntsville, Alabama
| country = United States
| logo = Rocket City Roller Derby logo.jpg
| tracks = Flat
| venue = Insanity Complex / Skate Odyssey
| affiliations = WFTDA
| orgtype = 501(c)(3) NPO
| url = http://rocketcityderby.com/
}}
Rocket City Roller Derby is a women's flat track roller derby league located in Huntsville, Alabama. Founded in December 2004 as Dixie Derby Girls, the league is a charter member{{cite web|title=Member Leagues|url=http://www.wftda.com/leagues.html|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060409234803/http://www.wftda.com/leagues.html|archive-date=9 April 2006|date=April 2006}} of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).{{cite web |title=Rocket City Roller Derby |url=https://wftda.com/wftda-leagues/rocket-city-roller-derby/ |website=WFTDA |access-date=October 18, 2020}}
History and organization
The Dixie Derby Girls were formed in 2004.{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Jennifer R.|title=Dixie Derby Girls empowered by roller rink competition|url=http://www.enewscourier.com/archives/dixie-derby-girls-empowered-by-roller-rink-competition/article_50d786ae-ccbc-5e9b-b447-15cdf71f534b.html|website=Enewscourier.com|publisher=The News Courier|access-date=1 April 2017|language=en|date=14 April 2008}} In 2006, with two home teams, the Thrill Killers and the Red Hot Riots, the league started holding games at Roller Time. An All-Star team was formed to play teams from other leagues. The home teams were dissolved in 2008, and the league began using a pair of travel teams, with the A team being the WFTDA charter team. Also in 2008, the league moved its home events to the Von Braun Center. In 2010, the A and B teams adopted new names, the Raging Rockets and Rocket City Rollers respectively.{{cite web|title=Dixie Derby Girls announce changes to second team - News Coverage - Women's Flat Track Derby Association|url=https://wftda.org/news-coverage/Dixie-Derby-Girls-announce-changes-to-second-team|website=wftda.org|publisher=WFTDA|access-date=19 October 2017|date=8 June 2010}} Following the dissolution of a neighboring league, Rolling Arsenal of Derby, the Dixie Derby Girls partnered with the Rocket City Rebels, a local junior roller derby team, and now play combined events at Insanity Skate Complex in Madison, Alabama.
The League is governed by the Board of Directors, with most league decisions made by an executive committee. In 2020, the league rebranded as Rocket City Roller Derby, in part to acknowledge Huntsville's contributions to the Space Program.{{cite web|title=Same League, Same Values, New Name.|url=http://rocketcityderby.com/|access-date=October 18, 2020|website=Rocket City Roller Derby League}}
Community
The league operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and partners with local charities for every home bout. In addition, the league and individual skaters participate in events to raise money and awareness for local charities. In the past, money has been raised for Habitat for Humanity, Harris Home for Children, Breaking Free Rescue Mission, American Heart Association, Hope Place, Life Cycles, The Boys and Girls Club, Thrive Alabama, A New Leash on Life, The American Red Cross, United Way, and Huntsville Friends of Rabbits.
WFTDA rankings
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://rocketcityderby.com/}}
- [http://www.wftda.com Women's Flat Track Derby Association]
{{WFTDA Division 3}}
{{Alabama Sports}}
Category:Sports clubs and teams in Huntsville, Alabama
Category:Roller derby leagues in Alabama
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Alabama
Category:Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 3