All your basic information about the Rose City Rollers. Click the topic to read more. Lots more resources are available at bouts to help explain the game, including talking to our skaters who are happy to answer your questions–look for someone wearing an “Ask Me About Derby” shirt at the next bout!
Rose City Rollers is a league that consists of 4 home teams, an internationally-ranked travel team, 2 junior derby programs and a recreational program. Home teams include the Break Neck Betties, Guns N Rollers, Heartless Heathers and the High Rollers. Our travel team is made up of all stars from the home teams: the Wheels of Justice. Our junior programs are Rosebuds and Rose Petals. Our recreational adult roller derby program is Wreckers.
Home teams play head-to-head with other Rose City home teams. The Wheels of Justice are 4-time world champions (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) and compete in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), taking on the best teams from around the world. Wreckers play at least 3 times per year, usually against local or regional teams. Once in a while, we’ll throw in a few surprises to keep our fans on their toes.
Currently admission to games (also known as bouts) costs $10-$22 per person. Find out more on the Tickets page. Season passes are available, pro-rated as the season goes on so they’re always a good deal.
We currently hold bouts at The Hangar at Oaks Park. Check out our Schedule page for upcoming bouts.
Rose City Rollers is a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Competitive league players and Wreckers must be at least 18 years old and identify with the WFTDA’s Gender Statement, found here. Skaters under 18 should check out the Rosebuds and Rose Petals programs. Men interested in playing derby should contact Portland Men’s Roller Derby.
Interested in learning to play roller derby? Join the Wreckers! Wreckers features a Derby 101 program that will teach you all the basics that you need to know to start learning game play. Don’t have skates and gear? No problem, you can borrow from our Rent N’ Roll program!
We also have periodic bootcamps for aspiring competitive team players through Wreckers.
Roller derby used to be somewhat scripted. Now all of the games and our plays are real. We follow the WFTDA rules developed for skater safety and competitive sports play. Elbow jabbing, for example, now gets a skater sent to the penalty box. The Rose City Rollers have no professional players. Skaters spend countless hours practicing and training, as well as working volunteer jobs to keep the league running.
Basics:
Four blockers from each team make up the “pack.” One jammer from each team lines up at the jammer start line behind the pack.
When the jam start whistle blows, the first jammer to get through the pack without fouling any opposing players is called the “lead jammer” for that jam.
After the initial pass through, jammers receive one point for each member of the opposing team they pass. Jammers don’t need to be the “lead jammer” to score points. Each jam lasts a maximum of two minutes, but the “lead jammer” has the right end the jam by tapping their hips.
Blockers are simultaneously trying to block the opposing team’s jammer and help their own jammer make it through the pack.
If you’re new to derby, keep an eye on your favorite team’s jammer. Then, watch the blockers to see how they help or hinder the jammer.
Rules:
Flat track roller derby has very specific, standard sporting rules. We follow the most recent version of the WFTDA rules. Have questions? Ask a derby skater. We tend to be pretty friendly off the track.
For those who don’t want a 30-page technical explanation, here’s a real simple video explanation:
How is the winner determined?
Whoever has the most points at the end of the last jam wins. The last jam occurs when the game clock reaches zero. Tie scores are broken by a final overtime jam.
For bout outcome records, check our Statistics and Standings page.
Check out the WFTDA’s Roller Derby 101 page.
RCR welcomes out of town visiting roller derby skaters to drop in on selected practice times. For longer visits or local drop-ins, a per-practice fee applies. Visiting skaters must identify with the WFTDA Gender Statement and abide by the RCR Code of Conduct. For more information or to be cleared to drop in on a RCR practice as a visiting skater, please contact athletics@rosecityrollers.com with the dates you’d like to skate, a description of your derby experience, your home league, and confirmation that you identify with the WFTDA gender statement.
We’re glad you asked! Rose City Rollers (RCR) welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with private and public agencies and organizations when doing so supports our mission and is mutually beneficial. We value our partners and the role they play in building the capacity of our organization and extending our service to the community. Visit our Partnerships Page to learn more about the different types of partnerships we offer & apply for a partnership.
Our Skatemobile is a fully stocked mobile skate truck available to be booked for your private event or party! With the Skatemobile, we can make any flat surface your skating rink. Learn more about booking the Skatemobile at our Private Events page HERE.
How long will Skatemobile be at my location? Your event includes 30 minutes of prep time, plus two hours of on-skates fun. Our World Glampions Package provides for an even longer skating time, with event lengths customizable for any occasion!
What counts as a “flat surface”? There is nothing like feeling the breeze blow past you while roller skating outside. However one big crack in the sidewalk can cause even the most experienced skaters to slip! As the host of a Skatemobile Party, you are required to pick a location for your event that has a flat surfaces for skaters to roll on. Surfaces include (but are not limited to) school gymnasiums, tennis courts, parking lots, garage spaces, basketball courts, and cul-de-sacs. Not sure if your location is flat enough? Give us a call and we will be happy to help you decide.
