Why I Love Roller Derby…

I love that I can express myself through skating, I can be anything I want to be when I skate.  I love that I have made so many new friends and relationships that I feel are going to be long lasting. –Daisy De la Whoreya

In derby, I found a group of amazing women I otherwise would never have known. I found a life that I never knew existed. I found the courage to get out of a situation that ultimately would have broken me had I stayed. In derby, I found myself –Eunice B. Nasty

I love roller derby because it helped me find a confidence in myself I didn’t realize I had hidden away. It’s a constant reminder that I’m worth something. It’s helped me realize that there are really good people in this world, and that they all do roller derby. –Vicky Ticky Timebomb

In derby I have found an outlet.  I don’t express myself and all that shit gets all pent up and eventually needs to get out, and so I skate and I get hit and I get knocked down.  But then I get back up again. – CJ Crush

I can be myself.
I don’t have to put up a front.
I can take my aggression out on my derby sisters and they don’t care, they enjoy it.
I have found my place in life…THAT is why I love roller derby. –Punchsicle

Being empowered isn’t just about how many tattoos or piercings you have or how many “bitches you’ve beat down”.  It’s about being in a healthy, nurturing environment that enables and encourages everyone be the best they can be.  Derby builds my confidence enough to be able to take down whatever “bitches” get in my way in everyday life! –Brooke A. Nail

Its a place that I can feel welcome and loved even though I don’t get to go to all the after parties and get togethers. I can bring my young kids and not get frowned upon for it. People are always willing to give you ‘get better’ pointers, even though they aren’t on your team. As a collective, we are just here to have fun. –Cana Dash

I love roller derby because it’s one of the only things in life that gives back as much as you put in. For every minute of your time you dedicate to skating with your league, you will be paid back tenfold with friendship, fitness, and fun. And maybe a broken nose and busted knee. – The Grave Little Toaster

The women I have met through this sport have changed my life forever. Yes, there’s drama, and there’s conflicts, but ultimately these people are your FAMILY. When I step onto the court for a bout, scrimmage, or even just practice, I put my trust in these girls to take care of me and have my back. Derby is the perfect place to come and be accepted NO MATTER WHAT. I have several tattoos and piercings, and while the world is evolving and becoming more accepting, derby is the only place where I feel like I truly BELONG. I can walk into practice and know that nobody is staring at my half sleeves and my pink hair and feel LOVED. This sport is so empowering and makes me feel like a superstar. This day in age, it’s very atypical to see girls wanting to get out and play a full-contact sport. The gratification of getting out there and knocking someone down is instant and it’s extremely empowering. Roller derby has taught me so much about myself that I never knew.  –Slim Skatey

I think everyone that joins derby is looking for something, whether it’s friendship, fitness, or fishnets. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was just looking for somewhere that I could be myself. And that’s exactly what I found. – Temper Tantrum

I love derby because…..
- I like to smell hard work on my pads when I open my skate bag.
- The genuine smile that comes to my face when I was caught off guard & am hit to the ground.
- The sound of my breathing when I am skating as fast as I can.
- The burning in my legs from hours of skating.
- Skating with the most genuine, honest, fun, caring, and fearless women I’ve ever met. I mean really- it takes a certain type of girl to do this sport!
- Shirt making parties.
- Themed everything! Practices, bouts, parties!
- Laughing- constantly!
- Sweating- constantly!
- Bruises & Rink Rash
…. And doing it all with a team hot girls who maintain “sexy” doing a full contact athletic sport! – Pushy Tushy