and how did you become involved in derby?

oMy daughter wanted to play after watching the 2007 WFTDA nationals in Austin, TX.

·What is your title or primary responsibility?

oPresident

·What is the name of your organization?

oJRDA

·What is the mission of your organization?

oThe Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) is a public non-profit educational and amateur sports organization that is dedicated to advancing the growth of roller derby through the standardization of rules and goals for existing and new leagues.
The mission of JRDA is to nurture bold self-confidence in youth by developing teamwork and athletic ability while treasuring individuality within a culture of integration, encouragement, and service to others.
JRDA partners with competitive & recreational junior leagues, communities & schools, mentors & families; to empower youth through the international sport of roller derby.

Roles:

·What is your organization’s role in roller derby? See Mission Statement

·How many teams (leagues) are in your organization? A dozen at the moment

·Approximately how many skaters does this represent? unknown

·What separates your organization from the other derby organizations? We are the only organization dedicated to the youth of the sport.

·How does your organization compliment the other derby associations?

oOur skaters are the future of the sport

·Are there too many derby associations? Why or why not?

oUnknown

·As a sport, how would you rate the health of derby?

oUnknown

·What can your organization do to make it stronger, healthier, etc?

oContinue on our current path

·What can other derby organizations do to contribute to the health of the sport?

oWork with the Governing Bodies of Roller Sports in their countries to develop the sport as a legitimate amateur sport internationally.

Let’s talk about challenges:

·What’s the largest challenge your organization is facing currently?

oFinancing and recruiting

·The largest challenge to derby?

oOrganizing at the governing level

·What’s the biggest or most common misconception about your organization?

oUnknown

·What do you, as an organization, know you need to improve on?

oOrganizing at the regional level

·What’s the most common misconception about your organization?

oUnknown

History

Obviously without the invention of derby, we wouldn’t be here today.

·Outside of the actual creation of the sport, what from derby’s past has been the most important aspect of modern roller derby?

oThe psychological impact on women

·For your organization?

oUnknown

·What from derby’s past has hurt or hampered modern derby the most?

oThe perception of derby as “sports entertainment”

·How important is it to your membership to know the history of derby?

oUnknown

·How important is it to your membership’s fans to know derby history?

oUnknown

Future

·What do you see as the biggest change happening for derby in the next 3 years?

oCreating a framework for the sport nationally and internationally through the legitimate governing bodies of roller sports

oBuilding an independent officiating community

·Over the same time frame, what big changes or improvements do you foresee in your organization?

oCreating a framework for the sport regionally

oBuilding an independent officiating community

oEstablishing formal international partnerships with sister organizations

·In 50 years, what will derby fans say about you/your organization’s contribution to the evolution of derby?

oUnknown

Media/Culture

With 500+ teams, sellout crowds in various cities, several teams using full-size arenas, and increasing mainstream-sponsors, there’s a growing awareness and following of roller derby.

·Why do some teams struggle to get fans, while others, in less populace cities, have no challenge in selling out games or attracting fans?

oUnknown

·Why can’t derby get on TV?

oTXRD bouts are televised in Texas.

·There are various tournaments inside and outside of the WFTDA. Yet attendance at these events is almost exclusively derby players, coaches, or other “derby insiders.” Is modern derby still not ready for primetime?

oThe sport will need to develop more appeal across both gender lines first.

·The current brand of roller derby has its roots as a sport for the players, not so much for the fans. Since we mentioned the sellout crowds and sponsors, do you believe the sport still “belongs” to the skaters?

oSpectators should be over ½ of the equation if you expect a sport to grow. This is even true at the junior level where we need funding to continue operations and travel for competition

·Going back to Roles & Professional derby, do you think competitive and recreational teams can exist together in the same association? Why or why not?

oAbsolutely.

·Describe how your organization is structured to be better suited for recreational or competitive oriented teams?

oWe are kids. Strictly recreational, but we would love to see as many options as possible for our young athletes when they turn 18.

·Why is there a tug-of-war between those who want to hold onto derby’s grass roots vs. those who want to “take it to the next level?”

oThe JRDA supports the creation of derby as a competitive sport played out internationally by both men and women.

·As professional derby begins to develop, there will almost certainly be an outside interest (non-skater) in ownership. This could take the form of a/an individual investor(s), a corporation or a combination. Presuming your organization isn’t the governing body for pro-level derby, would pro-level players and/or teams be allowed membership and to compete in your association?

oDefinitely not.

·How does your association deal with outside ownership inquiries and interests?

oUnknown

Equipment & Business Development

Companies such as Reidell, PRO-TEC, Triple 8, etc., have benefited greatly from the rebirth of roller derby. Several individuals in the roller derby community have also prospered as roller derby entrepreneurs.

·How are these companies contributing to the development and promotion of roller derby?

oSadly, there has been no interest in Junior Roller Derby by any of the equipment manufacturers.

·Which company/companies has received the greatest benefit from roller derby?

oUnknown

·Do these companies have an obligation to develop products specifically for derby?

oUnknown

·Which company/companies have lead the way in derby product development?

oUnknown

·The NFL and NHL both have lists of approved equipment. When do you anticipate your organization restricting equipment selection to an approved list as other contact sports have?

oYes

There seems to be a resistance to earning a profit in derby as there are several roller derby teams set up as not-for-profit organizations, yet other teams have signed contracts with sports marketing organizations involved with professional level sports.

·As roller derby continues to evolve, will not-for-profit teams have to change classifications (to for-profit) to remain competitive at the higher levels?

oAll junior leagues are non-profit

·How does your association help individual teams develop their business plans, fan base, and attract advertisers/sponsors?

oWe have multiple documents available for download free from our website.

·How does being either not-for-profit or for-profit help or hurt a team’s growth?

oUnknown

·Why would either classification be a better fit for your organization?

oThe JRDA can only be a 501(c)3 “Amateur Sports Association”

Disparity in Play/Set Season

As of now, there isn’t a set derby season. The closest is the tournament season which happens mostly through the fall. The WFTDA is currently the most widely used rule set. Some of the rules have allowances for venue restrictions. Example: 10ft ref lane. With new teams joining the WFTDA, these allowances won’t go away soon. The WFTDA hasn’t set a saturation point for membership, nor has any other derby association.

·What will be the process and determining factors for your organization to mandate a single playing surface for all teams? Which surface do you see becoming the standard?

oThe JRDA is looking for the International Technical Committee (ITC) under the Federation International de Roller Sports (FIRS) to create an official track size(s) that will become the international standard(s).

·Does your organization have a size limit or capacity? Why or why not?

oNo, we intend to grow with membership to become as large as is needed in the United States.

·If the potential membership is unrestricted, aren’t you really creating a big blanket trying to cover everyone?

oThe JRDA has laid out a framework for growth at the regional level that delegates authority to each individual region.

·Why or why shouldn’t the various associations define a calendar-based season?

oUnknown (at this time)

·Do the associations have a responsibility to their members and derby fans to place teams in different divisions based on ability?

oYes (for juniors)

·Would this be better addressed internally at the association level or should different associations be for different levels of play? Why/why not?

oUnknown

Officiating

Derby is very unique in that local teams are responsible for recruiting and training officials in their region. While it isn’t a requirement for them to do so, having access to some level of officiating practically mandates this.

·What has been the largest challenge to “home grown” officials?

oExtremely limited model with high potential for bias and local variations in interpretations

·What has been the biggest benefit to derby with this type of officiating recruiting?

oIt IS an effective model for sparsely located leagues (greater than 1 day travel)

·If previous officiating experience was required to become a derby referee, which two sports would you say best prepare potential derby referees?

oUnknown

·The WFTDA and OSDA have implemented certification programs. Do you see the certification process as the first step in creating a derby officiating organization that is not entirely controlled by its associated governing body?

oUnknown for those organizations, but it is a must if derby is to grow as a legitimate sport.

·What would it take to bring the different derby governing bodies in agreement on a unilateral referee certification/accreditation program?

oCooperation? The JRDA and USARS welcome such cooperation.

·What advantage(s) do you see in keeping officials part of a governing body, rather than having their own association or union?

oNone.

International:

With the exception of a few professional hockey and baseball teams in North America, most countries have their own levels of amateur and professional sports. The WFTDA and USARS both have taken steps in becoming the preeminent internationally governing body or roller derby.

·USARS is a National Governing Body operating under the oversight of the US Olympic Committee enacted by Congress. It has no legal authority to operate outside the US and has VERY strict rules governing foreign correspondence with other governing bodies. USARS is a member of FIRS which is the International Governing Body of all roller sports as recognized by the IOC.

·How can a sport whose membership is nearly 100% from the U.S.A. fairly oversee and govern teams not only in other countries, but on other continents?

oThrough FIRS (the official International Governing Body (IGB) of Roller Derby as recognized by the International Olympic Committee)

·It seems a governing body whose purpose is to govern international competition, such as FIFA (soccer) or the International Olympic Committee, would be better suited for such a role. How do you envision a derby governing body developing, which is truly international?

oFIRS is already the IGB of roller derby as of December 2010. The IGB’s job is to create and oversee an international rules-set and promote the sport through member NGBs. As specific targets for participation and representation are met the IGB will work towards introducing the sport to the IOC. Although the process is straight forward and well documented, the politics are very complicated. FIRS is the only organization with the experience and expertise needed to move derby forward.

·Outside of the North America market, where is your organization focused to further promote and help develop roller derby?

oCanada

oAustralia

oUnited Kingdom

oIreland

oNew Zealand

Pro Derby/Olympic:

While it may not be a topic in the immediate future, there are hopes for derby to expand beyond its current amateur and mostly adult leagues. There are different sports associations for the various levels of play. For example, ice hockey has the NHL (pro-football), the Olympics, the ECHL and AHL (semi-pro), NCAA (college), various state high school athletic associations, and numerous little leagues.

·How do you define professional or semi-professional roller derby?

oUnknown

·How does your membership feel about creating semi-pro or professional level derby?

oNot for Juniors

·Explain how your organization is can help pave the way in both directions, towards professional derby and youth recreational derby.

oWe ARE Junior Roller Derby

·Why or why not would each level of play need its own governing body?

oUnknown

·With nearly every Olympic event being having a men’s and women’s competition, it stands to reason that derby must become more gender inclusive, specifically more male competitors. How is your organization helping promote gender equality in the sport?

oBoys are a fast growing demographic in junior roller derby and the JRDA supports this 100%

·Why or why not is gender equality necessary for roller derby to continue to grow?

oThe JRDA is committed to building roller derby as a legitimate amateur sport for ALL young athletes.

·How would male or co-ed derby hurt or help modern derby grow in popularity or move towards becoming an Olympic event?

oFrom the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism” page 11 of the Olympic Charter

“5.Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”

·Please explain the 3 biggest obstacles in derby becoming an Olympic event?

oOfficiating

oGlobal Expansion

oPerception of the sport as “sports entertainment”

·How should the derby community as a whole overcome these issues?

oSupport national NGBs

Next Year

·When we revisit this conversation next year, what will be the most noticeable changes in derby?

oThe creation of an International Rule-set governed by FIRS.

·What changes would pleasantly surprise you if they happened within the next year?

oRecognition of roller derby by NBGs outside the USA.

·What is your personal derby mission for the next 12 months?

oContinue to grow the JRDA and create opportunities for all kids to play roller derby.

Final thoughts?

Introduction

• Who are you?
  • Troy Twibell
• When and how did you become involved in derby?
  • My daughter wanted to play after watching the 2007 WFTDA nationals in Austin, TX.
• What is your title or primary responsibility?
  • President
• What is the name of your organization?
  • JRDA
• What is the mission of your organization?
  • The Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) is a public non-profit educational and amateur sports organization that is dedicated to advancing the growth of roller derby through the standardization of rules and goals for existing and new leagues.
    The mission of JRDA is to nurture bold self-confidence in youth by developing teamwork and athletic ability while treasuring individuality within a culture of integration, encouragement, and service to others.
    JRDA partners with competitive & recreational junior leagues, communities & schools, mentors & families; to empower youth through the international sport of roller derby.

 

Roles:

• What is your organization’s role in roller derby? See Mission Statement
• How many teams (leagues) are in your organization? A dozen at the moment
• Approximately how many skaters does this represent? unknown
• What separates your organization from the other derby organizations? We are the only organization dedicated to the youth of the sport.
• How does your organization compliment the other derby associations?
  • Our skaters are the future of the sport
• Are there too many derby associations? Why or why not?
  • Unknown
• As a sport, how would you rate the health of derby?
  • Unknown
• What can your organization do to make it stronger, healthier, etc?
  • Continue on our current path
• What can other derby organizations do to contribute to the health of the sport?
  • Work with the Governing Bodies of Roller Sports in their countries to develop the sport as a legitimate amateur sport internationally.

 

Let’s talk about challenges:

• What’s the largest challenge your organization is facing currently?
  • Financing and recruiting
• The largest challenge to derby?
  • Organizing at the governing level
• What’s the biggest or most common misconception about your organization?
  • Unknown
• What do you, as an organization, know you need to improve on?
  • Organizing at the regional level
• What’s the most common misconception about your organization?
  • Unknown

 

History

Obviously without the invention of derby, we wouldn’t be here today.

• Outside of the actual creation of the sport, what from derby’s past has been the most important aspect of modern roller derby?
  • The psychological impact on women
• For your organization?
  • Unknown
• What from derby’s pasthas hurt or hampered modern derby the most?
  • The perception of derby as “sports entertainment”
• How important is it to your membership to know the history of derby?
  • Unknown
• How important is it to your membership’s fans to know derby history?
  • Unknown

 

Future

• What do you see as the biggest change happening for derby in the next 3 years?
  • Creating a framework for the sport nationally and internationally through the legitimate governing bodies of roller sports
  • Building an independent officiating community
• Over the same time frame, what big changes or improvements do you foresee in your organization?
  • Creating a framework for the sport regionally
  • Building an independent officiating community
  • Establishing formal international partnerships with sister organizations
• In 50 years, what will derby fans say about you/your organization’s contribution to the evolution of derby?
  • Unknown

 

Media/Culture

With 500+ teams, sellout crowds in various cities, several teams using full-size arenas, and increasing mainstream-sponsors, there’s a growing awareness and following of roller derby.

• Why do some teams struggle to get fans, while others, in less populace cities, have no challenge in selling out games or attracting fans?
  • Unknown
• Why can’t derby get on TV?
  • TXRD bouts are televised in Texas.
• There are various tournaments inside and outside of the WFTDA. Yet attendance at these events is almost exclusively derby players, coaches, or other “derby insiders.” Is modern derby still not ready for primetime?
  • The sport will need to develop more appeal across both gender lines first.
• The current brand of roller derby has its roots as a sport for the players, not so much for the fans. Since we mentioned the sellout crowds and sponsors, do you believe the sport still “belongs” to the skaters?
  • Spectators should be over ½ of the equation if you expect a sport to grow. This is even true at the junior level where we need funding to continue operations and travel for competition
• Going back to Roles & Professional derby, do you think competitive and recreational teams can exist together in the same association? Why or why not?
  • Absolutely.
• Describe how your organization is structured to be better suited for recreational or competitive oriented teams?
  • We are kids. Strictly recreational, but we would love to see as many options as possible for our young athletes when they turn 18.
• Why is there a tug-of-war between those who want to hold onto derby’s grass roots vs. those who want to “take it to the next level?”
  • The JRDA supports the creation of derby as a competitive sport played out internationally by both men and women.
• As professional derby begins to develop, there will almost certainly be an outside interest (non-skater) in ownership. This could take the form of a/an individual investor(s), a corporation or a combination. Presuming your organization isn’t the governing body for pro-level derby, would pro-level players and/or teams be allowed membership and to compete in your association?
  • Definitely not.
• How does your association deal with outside ownership inquiries and interests?
  • Unknown

 

Equipment & Business Development

Companies such as Reidell, PRO-TEC, Triple 8, etc., have benefited greatly from the rebirth of roller derby. Several individuals in the roller derby community have also prospered as roller derby entrepreneurs.

• How are these companies contributing to the development and promotion of roller derby?
  • Sadly, there has been no interest in Junior Roller Derby by any of the equipment manufacturers.
• Which company/companies has received the greatest benefit from roller derby?
  • Unknown
• Do these companies have an obligation to develop products specifically for derby?
  • Unknown
• Which company/companies have lead the way in derby product development?
  • Unknown
• The NFL and NHL both have lists of approved equipment. When do you anticipate your organization restricting equipment selection to an approved list as other contact sports have?
  • Yes

 

There seems to be a resistance to earning a profit in derby as there are several roller derby teams set up as not-for-profit organizations, yet other teams have signed contracts with sports marketing organizations involved with professional level sports.

• As roller derby continues to evolve, will not-for-profit teams have to change classifications (to for-profit) to remain competitive at the higher levels?
  • All junior leagues are non-profit
• How does your association help individual teams develop their business plans, fan base, and attract advertisers/sponsors?
  • We have multiple documents available for download free from our website.
• How does being either not-for-profit or for-profit help or hurt a team’s growth?
  • Unknown
• Why would either classification be a better fit for your organization?
  • The JRDA can only be a 501(c)3 “Amateur Sports Association”

 

Disparity in Play/Set Season

As of now, there isn’t a set derby season. The closest is the tournament season which happens mostly through the fall. The WFTDA is currently the most widely used rule set. Some of the rules have allowances for venue restrictions. Example: 10ft ref lane. With new teams joining the WFTDA, these allowances won’t go away soon. The WFTDA hasn’t set a saturation point for membership, nor has any other derby association.

• What will be the process and determining factors for your organization to mandate a single playing surface for all teams? Which surface do you see becoming the standard?
  • The JRDA is looking for the International Technical Committee (ITC) under the Federation International de Roller Sports (FIRS) to create an official track size(s) that will become the international standard(s).
• Does your organization have a size limit or capacity? Why or why not?
  • No, we intend to grow with membership to become as large as is needed in the United States.
• If the potential membership is unrestricted, aren’t you really creating a big blanket trying to cover everyone?
  • The JRDA has laid out a framework for growth at the regional level that delegates authority to each individual region.
• Why or why shouldn’t the various associations define a calendar-based season?
  • Unknown (at this time)
• Do the associations have a responsibility to their members and derby fans to place teams in different divisions based on ability?
  • Yes (for juniors)
• Would this be better addressed internally at the association level or should different associations be for different levels of play? Why/why not?
  • Unknown

 

Officiating

Derby is very unique in that local teams are responsible for recruiting and training officials in their region. While it isn’t a requirement for them to do so, having access to some level of officiating practically mandates this.

• What has been the largest challenge to “home grown” officials?
  • Extremely limited model with high potential for bias and local variations in interpretations
• What has been the biggest benefit to derby with this type of officiating recruiting?
  • It IS an effective model for sparsely located leagues (greater than 1 day travel)
• If previous officiating experience was required to become a derby referee, which two sports would you say best prepare potential derby referees?
  • Unknown
• The WFTDA and OSDA have implemented certification programs. Do you see the certification process as the first step in creating a derby officiating organization that is not entirely controlled by its associated governing body?
  • Unknown for those organizations, but it is a must if derby is to grow as a legitimate sport.
• What would it take to bring the different derby governing bodies in agreement on a unilateral referee certification/accreditation program?
  • Cooperation? The JRDA and USARS welcome such cooperation.
• What advantage(s) do you see in keeping officials part of a governing body, rather than having their own association or union?
  • None.

 

International:

With the exception of a few professional hockey and baseball teams in North America, most countries have their own levels of amateur and professional sports. The WFTDA and USARS both have taken steps in becoming the preeminent internationally governing body or roller derby.

• USARS is a National Governing Body operating under the oversight of the US Olympic Committee enacted by Congress. It has no legal authority to operate outside the US and has VERY strict rules governing foreign correspondence with other governing bodies. USARS is a member of FIRS which is the International Governing Body of all roller sports as recognized by the IOC.
• How can a sport whose membership is nearly 100% from the U.S.A. fairly oversee and govern teams not only in other countries, but on other continents?
  • Through FIRS (the official International Governing Body (IGB) of Roller Derby as recognized by the International Olympic Committee)
• It seems a governing body whose purpose is to govern international competition, such as FIFA (soccer) or the International Olympic Committee, would be better suited for such a role. How do you envision a derby governing body developing, which is truly international?
  • FIRS is already the IGB of roller derby as of December 2010. The IGB’s job is to create and oversee an international rules-set and promote the sport through member NGBs. As specific targets for participation and representation are met the IGB will work towards introducing the sport to the IOC. Although the process is straight forward and well documented, the politics are very complicated. FIRS is the only organization with the experience and expertise needed to move derby forward.
• Outside of the North America market, where is your organization focused to further promote and help develop roller derby?
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand

 

Pro Derby/Olympic:

While it may not be a topic in the immediate future, there are hopes for derby to expand beyond its current amateur and mostly adult leagues. There are different sports associations for the various levels of play. For example, ice hockey has the NHL (pro-football), the Olympics, the ECHL and AHL (semi-pro), NCAA (college), various state high school athletic associations, and numerous little leagues.

• How do you define professional or semi-professional roller derby?
  • Unknown
• How does your membership feel about creating semi-pro or professional level derby?
  • Not for Juniors
• Explain how your organization is can help pave the way in both directions, towards professional derby and youth recreational derby.
  • We ARE Junior Roller Derby
• Why or why not would each level of play need its own governing body?
  • Unknown
• With nearly every Olympic event being having a men’s and women’s competition, it stands to reason that derby must become more gender inclusive, specifically more male competitors. How is your organization helping promote gender equality in the sport?
  • Boys are a fast growing demographic in junior roller derby and the JRDA supports this 100%
• Why or why not is gender equality necessary for roller derby to continue to grow?
  • The JRDA is committed to building roller derby as a legitimate amateur sport for ALL young athletes.
• How would male or co-ed derby hurt or help modern derby grow in popularity or move towards becoming an Olympic event?
  • From the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism” page 11 of the Olympic Charter

“5.Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”

 

• Please explain the 3 biggest obstacles in derby becoming an Olympic event?
  • Officiating
  • Global Expansion
  • Perception of the sport as “sports entertainment”
• How should the derby community as a whole overcome these issues?
  • Support national NGBs

 

Next Year

• When we revisit this conversation next year, what will be the most noticeable changes in derby?
  • The creation of an International Rule-set governed by FIRS.
• What changes would pleasantly surprise you if they happened within the next year?
  • Recognition of roller derby by NBGs outside the USA.
• What is your personal derby mission for the next 12 months?
  • Continue to grow the JRDA and create opportunities for all kids to play roller derby.

 

 

Final thoughts?

Roller derby is a fast moving full contact sport played by boys and girls, men and women all over the world. For this sport to continue to grow we need to look at the success and failures of other sports and benchmark the best of the best. Further, it is bigger than any single US corporation can manage effectively and we all need to support the acceptance of the sport by national governing bodies in every country where the sport is played if we want to see it played out internationally as a serious amateur sport.

 

Although there is a real potential for a professional component to develop, the JRDA’s primary interest is in developing a strong amateur sports community. In either capacity, the young skaters of today are certainly going to be amongst the very first Olympic and professional athletes of tomorrow.

Roller derby is a fast moving full contact sport played by boys and girls, men and women all over the world. For this sport to continue to grow we need to look at the success and failures of other sports and benchmark the best of the best. Further, it is bigger than any single US corporation can manage effectively and we all need to support the acceptance of the sport by national governing bodies in every country where the sport is played if we want to see it played out internationally as a serious amateur sport.

Although there is a real potential for a professional component to develop, the JRDA’s primary interest is in developing a strong amateur sports community. In either capacity, the young skaters of today are certainly going to be amongst the very first Olympic and professional athletes of tomorrow.

Next: The State of Derby – Part III with Modern Derby Athletic Endeavor (MADE).

Previous: The State of Derby – Part I

[1]: http://www.rollerderbyinsidetrack.com/features/2011/the-state-of-derby/ "The State of Derby"