Texas Rollergirls: Forward to 2010!

It’s been a good year for the Texas Rollergirls: Women’s Flat Track Derby Association south-central region champs, silver at nationals, and a mayoral proclamation recognizing their pivotal role in rollerderby (plus a Chronicle cover feature). Now the 2010 season calls.

Before the year rolls over, there’s still a couple of outstanding pieces of 2009 business. First up, veteran Texecutioner Rice Rocket was named one of the four MVPs at nationals, along with Heffer from 2009 champions the Oly Rollers, Fonda Payne of the Denver Roller Dolls, and Whipity Pow from the Rocky Mountain Roller Girls. Then the whole travel team picked up third place in the Derby News Network end-of-year polls for their rivalry with the Gotham Girls.

Here’s what’s confirmed so far for the 2010 season (all bouts at Playland Skate Center unless noted) and, yes, it does include the sport’s first intercontinental bout:

Feb. 20-21: Governor’s Cup Tournament, Millennium Youth Center

Feb. 28: Home season opener

March 20: Hustlers versus London Rollergirls in London, England.

March 28: League bout

April 25: League bout

May 23: League bout

June 19: Hotrod Honeys versus Charm City Rollergirls, DuBurns Arena, Baltimore, Maryland.

June 27: League bout

Jul 25: League bout

Aug 22: 2010 TXRG championship.

Date TBC: WFTDA South central Regionals at Lincoln, Nebraska, hosted by No Coast Derby Girls.

Nov. 12-14: WFTDA Championship Tournament, hosted by Windy City Rollers.

Expect more travel games to be announced as the season gets closer.

Tickets for all events (except the Governor’s Cup, which is closed to the public) will be available in advance and on the door, but if you’re planning to think ahead and attend every home bout, then it may be worth investing in a Smack Pack season pass. That’s also the only way for the general public to get into the governor’s cup.

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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.