Roller Derby Update 9/13/13

Yes, it's been a while, but who's ready for a little Roller Derby catch-up?

First off, a couple of big shout-outs. Congrats to Medusa Skates for winning best new business in the Best of Austin awards.

And, on a more personal note, get well soon to one of my all time favorite Texas Rollergirls, Sic Shooter. Glitter done, Sic.

Texas Rollergirls

Big weekend coming up for the innovators of modern flat track Roller Derby. This weekend, they'll be in Richmond, Virginia for the next round in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association tournament season playoffs. Their first game will be at 5pm Central versus either Tampa Roller Derby or Vancouver's Terminal City Roller Girls. There's still time to contribute to their travel fund.

Our early prediction for this weekend: We're foreseeing the Texecutioners and their old rivals from the days of the South-Central region Kansas City making it to the final three, and securing a place at nationals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nov. 8-10. But like many people, we're a little shocked to see LA's Angel City Derby Girls currently ranked top in this tournament. Time for an upset, maybe?

Back at home, next week Texas holds its annual tryouts. If you think you've got the stuff to be a roller girl (and you're prepared to occasionally have that stuff knocked out of you), then be at the league's new facility at 6110 Trade Center Drive from 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 17- 18. More info, including the sign-up sheets, at www.texasrollergirls.org.

New practice space? Why yes. After years of looking for a place to call their own, the league is now leasing a new dedicated home for junior derby, rec league and the main roster, with space for two WFTDA tracks.

TXRD

It's only two weeks to go until the closing game of the season, as the Cherry Bombs take on reigning champs the Rhinestone Cowgirls for the Calvello Cup. The mayhem starts at 7pm, Sept. 28 at the Palmer Events Center: Tickets on sale here.

Feeling too broke to make the bout? Then just head over to www.facebook.com/txrollerderby. When the banked track league hits 7,000 likes, one fan will be picked at random to receive a pair of tickets.

Austin Anarchy Men's Roller Derby

Yup, it's true, Austin finally got its own men's derby league (aka merby or dangle derby.) Find out more about the fledgling league at www.facebook.com/ATXDerby.

WFTDA And Beyond Austin

Great news for the Cen-Tex Sirens: Temple's league (and famously just the nicest skaters known to humanity) was one of the latest 14 to gain full WFTDA membership. Congrats, ladies, and if you feel like celebrating with them, they'll be hosting North Texas Derby Revolution at home on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Frank W. Mayborn Convention Center in Temple, Texas. More info at www.centexrollergirls.com

Back on the tourney front, a huge shift in the derby world at least weekend's playoffs in Denver: The London Rollergirls took third place, meaning they are the first non-American league to make it to nationals. Looks like they'll have to start calling them the world championship.

The quest to make a new Team USA for the 2014 Blood and Thunder World Cup is on, with five Texas Rollergirls making the short list of 46 skaters. That list still has to be whittled down to 20 for the actual team, but congrats to Olivia Shootin' John, Smarty Pants, Poly Gone, Barbara Ambush and Fifi Nomemon for making it this far and beating out 300 top class skaters from around the nation. The international event is scheduled for Dec. 4-7, 2014 at the Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas.