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Roller derby is an intense and thrilling sport, not for the faint of heart. Rollergirls are fiercely competitive and incredibly driven. We strive to be fitness conscious and strong-willed athletes who are committed to the game and the league.

MRD is looking for fresh meat – that is, new skaters willing to come in and earn a few bruises of their own. Been on skates since before you could walk? Fantastic! Haven't skated since you were 12? No problem! MRD will teach you everything you need to know to play, so prior skating experience isn’t mandatory. (And we’re not just saying that: We’ll be there to give you all the tips, tricks, and skills you’ll need to become a competitive skater.)

Of course, it wouldn't hurt to start training on your own at any local skating rink or outdoor park, like Shelby Farms or Greenbelt Park. Skates and safety equipment can be purchased locally at Blues City Skates at 569 S. Highland, Memphis, TN 38111 Phone: 901-729-7616.

Eventually, you’ll need to master a few basic skills in order to show you’re ready to join one of the teams and start bouting. They might sound like a lot now, but even women who’d never strapped on skates before have become amazing skaters. Here are the first few you’ll cover:

Sound like something you’re into? Memphis Roller Derby’s newbie practices are held every Monday night at the Pipkin Building in the Mid-South Fairgrounds from 6:30-7:30 PM. If you’re over 18, feel free to come by and see what we’re all about. Team members and newbies there will be more than happy to share their knowledge about where to get equipment and what it’s like to play the sport. If it’s your very first time at practice, send a message to contact@memphisrollerderby.com so we’ll be expecting you.

Newbie “Boot Camps” are held three months each year: January, May, and September. New skaters can join the league at any newbie practice during these months. This will be your chance to lace up your skates and join the other newbies. At the end of each “Boot Camp,” a testing date will be set so that you’ll have the chance to strut your stuff and earn your spot on a team.

If it’s not a “Boot Camp” month, feel free to come on by and ask about volunteer opportunities. We’re always looking for extra hands!

All practices are private, so please don’t bring your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a whole cheering section to practice with you. Photographing practices without explicit league permission is also prohibited. This might make others uncomfortable and self-conscious. Invite your fans and family to come and photograph you at your bouts!

For those of you with kids, we don’t mind if you bring your well-behaved and manageable children to practice with you, but you won’t have time to be constantly attending to them. If you can’t find a babysitter, make sure your child or children can stay relatively quiet and engaged for a few hours before you try to take them to practice with you.

… make sure you meet the basic requirements to be a member of the league. Becoming a derby girl is a serious commitment, both in time and energy. We often tell potential skaters that if you don’t have time to take on a part-time job on top of your existing commitments, you won’t have time to be a derby girl.

* Purchase your own skates and safety gear. You’ll need quad skates (not in-lines); elbow, wrist, and knee pads; a helmet; and a mouth guard

* Be able to attend a MINIMUM of two (2) practices per week. As a newbie, you’ll practice once on Monday and a second time on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, rotating through the three intra-league team practices. Once you get on a team, you’ll have one (1) three-hour practice per week and one (1) two-hour league practice per month, in addition to whatever extra practices your team may require.

* Attend Saturday night bouts once a month. You’ll helping run these bouts even if you’re skating in the game. All skaters are required to participate in bout set-up and tear-down.

* Attend monthly league events, including meetings, fundraisers, promoting, or volunteer work. Memphis Roller Derby is run by its skaters, so each girl is required to contribute eight (8) hours of service each month.

Contact Lil' Cinner, our Head of Recruitment, at contact@memphisrollerderby.com if you have any more questions or are interested in joining.

If this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, consider volunteering for Memphis Roller Derby. We need lots of help to keep the league running and the bouts going smoothly.

Love skating, but not keen on contact? Help keep those cheeky derby girls in line as a referee! The Zebras are always on the lookout for new recruits.

Not so comfortable on skates? There are also spots available for non-skating officials (NSOs). NSOs help keep the game rolling by keeping track of points, time, penalties, and every other stat you could think of (and more).

Want to be able to just enjoy the bouts without worrying about penalties and rules? Set-up and tear-down for our bouts are other main areas we need assistance, but we may be able to help you find your niche if you have some skills to offer. It's a great way to get in on some of the behind-the-scenes action and meet the players.

Thinking about joining Memphis Roller Derby?