Austin is the town that gave the world modern Roller Derby, so it only seems right we should help send out the call: Northwest Arkansas Roller Derby had all their skate gear stolen while visiting Texas, and they’re wishing on some Lone Star help to get it back.

On June 24, the league was in San Antonio for a double header against the Alamo City Rollergirls. During the after-party at The Hangar on Broadway, someone broke into the NWARD rental van and stole all their gear.

Now a rollergirl will spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on their kit, so this is obviously devastating to the league and to its individual skaters. All the skaters are strictly amateurs, so they will have to replace everything that was lost themselves. NWARD’s next bout is scheduled for July 21, when they are supposed to face the Springfield Rollergirls, so the clock is ticking.

Anyone who sees a suspiciously large amount of gear showing up on eBay, Craigslist or anywhere else should contact the league at www.nwarollerderby.com, or via info[at]nwarollerderby.com. Even if it’s just been dumped by the side of the road, these skaters need it back. The league will be posting a full spreadsheet of all the missing items on their website soon.

The league is also taking donations to help get their skaters back on the track.

I still wear my old NWA Killbillies t-shirt with pride, so if anyone knows anything, then it’s time to help a league out.

This article appears in June 22 • 2012.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.