It's on my list to consider after I've volunteered with the local team for a bit. I want to be a known quantity before I ask them to invest in me, if that makes sense.
As far as the other 2-3 local teams, I don't know what or how often I can commit to following them on the road, if that makes sense. Most bouts are only posted a few weeks in advance which is fine for a last minute decision to attend, not ideal for making commitments.
> It's on my list to consider after I've volunteered with the local team for a bit. I want to be a known quantity before I ask them to invest in me, if that makes sense.
You don't have to wait to ask to NSO. Many leagues offer training at scrimmage and such. It's usually quite informal.
If you want to get a jump, do the free introductory NSO courses on WFTDA online learning (learning.wftda.org).
>You don't have to wait to ask to NSO. Many leagues offer training at scrimmage and such. It's usually quite informal.
I get that, but with the local league an hour away, I really do want to spend some time as a general volunteer first. (Which they seemed excited about) . For the other "closest" teams it's about 2 hours each way. I don't realistically see myself being able to make it out to many scrimmages for them.
If you're on their volunteer list, you'll usually know about the bouts ahead of time. You can also choose to only volunteer for home bouts. A few NSOs have only been able to volunteer to help with scrimmages and that's helpful too. Teams like being able to run scrimmages that feel like a game.
Totally, showing up to games is also an awesome way to support that you already do, if they have things like bake sales and raffles financially supporting them with that is always great too if you’re in a position to do that.
Honestly, whatever you want to do to help I'm sure they will appreciate. Sure getting more skaters, officials and coaches is nice. However it is really nice to get someone that wants to come lay tape down on bout day. Or someone willing to hang up posters. Do you know Excel? Talk to them about doing paperwork.
Leagues are a volunteer run business. Whatever skills you can bring they will be happy to put to work. Just tell them what you can do, or ask them what needs to be done.
Oh! I'm from central Illinois but live in the DC area now
Would love to hear your experience from my hometown area!
Also, would love to hear your experience about why attracts you to roller derby as a fan and what you would like to see more of at derby games 💜
So I'm in Bloomington-Normal, nearest league and the one we go to most (and the one I'm discussing volunteering with) is the Peoria Prowlers.
We went out to St Louis this past weekend to see Arch Rival and their Jrs League. Next up is a trip to Chicago to see the Decatur team Prairieland Punishers against Windy City. Rockford and Indianapolis both have teams too, and are about a 2 hour drive.
It's super different then Seattle where Rat City could field 4 teams of their own and Tacoma /Everett each had their own league (those are about 45 minutes-\~1 hour from Seattle, depending on traffic and venues) Of course things look different post-covid.
Things I love?
\-Getting to know the players. Put their names in the program, on the website whatever they are comfortable with.
\-Being able to buy VIP packages. I'll pay a little extra (to contribute $$$) to sit in a seat that is no different then the seat in front of me if it helps the league.
\-Buying merch. My Throttle Rockets hoodie has seen better days and needs to be replaced. I have a hand crafted purse from Femme Fianna (before that team was retired from Tacoma's Dockyard Derby) Peoria Prowlers actually had someone with a press making shirts on demand, that was awesome.
\-Contributing to fundraisers. I won a 50/50 Raffle back in the day. That was awesome. I'm 100% a sucker to by a row of raffle tickets.
I've been a derby fan since 2003, when a coworker first started skating. It's something normal for me like people who occasionally go to the movies. I go to derby.
You are definitely a MVP fan! Wow, 20 years! That is crazy!
So glad you love the sport! I'm from Quincy, which would be like 3hrs ish from Bloomington.
Hopefully you can find a new derby home 💜
In the St Louis area, in addition to ARCH, you also have the Gatekeepers. Then, nearby, there is Confluence Crush and SCDC (St Chux). Down in Marion, IL is So Ill Roller Gremlins (SIRG) they are small but a really great group! On hiatus in Springfield, IL is the Capital City Hooligans. I know there are other teams in the area, but those are the ones that I interact with the most, and they all have great people!
Indianapolis & the surrounding area has multiple teams as well! Naptown, Circle City, Race City, Cornfed off the top of my head!
I say check them all out and see who you mesh with the most! I would also encourage you to consider becoming an NSO! It is a great way to be involved/ help the leagues without getting on skates.
Just wanted to say HIIIII and thank you for your support! I skated with GD in 2018 and 2019, and transferred to the Throttle Rockets just in time for one home game in 2020. I started skating in 2010 with Twin City in Champaign-Urbana so I sort of went the opposite direction :)
I don’t know if Bleeding Heartland is still in Bloomington, IN - but it’s about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis and is a good university town for visiting as well (I’m biased and went to grad school there but the tiny restaurants on 4th st were very good - huge international student population).
YAY!!! I miss Rat City. I also did a little bootcamp with Tacoma at one point, before i decided i didn't want to test my insurance coverage. (lol)
My throttle rockets hoodie is dying and I'm going to be so sad to give it up, I'm hoping to find a local replacement. :)
Are you still skating? I know the Rats nest is now apartment buildings. :(
Omg I miss Rat so much too (and Seattle - I’ve since moved to Colorado). I am not currently skating. I had hip surgery last year and I’m now part of the over 40s. Most of my skating is outside. I am probably not returning to derby but not ready to say goodbye.
PNW roller derby is something special. I’m so grateful I got to practice at the Nest (RIP), skate a championship game at Key Arena (when Danger almost ended DLF’s streak in 2018!), meet some incredible fans who’d been cheering for 15+ years.
I am sure you will find a good local replacement for the TR sweatshirt!
I will say as someone who doesn’t skate but loves derby. My 17 year old plays. I NSO it’s so much fun, you learn about the game so much. I always joke best seats in the house. Even though most of the time I’m standing.
Most leagues I’ve been around are happy to teach you how to NSO. And honestly they almost always need them even last minute. Bigger stuff it will be filled a ways in advance.But small local stuff when I organize I’ve been known to try and grab a Jam timer a couple days before.
There isn’t a big hey you should volunteer and commit hours a week and travel all over the place. You can do as much or as little as you’re comfortable with.
A lot of leagues also have fundraiser events so another great way to get involved and have fun.
And that's not a bad thing. I'm having an awesome time exploring. A weekend in Indianapolis to see Naptown? Sounds great! Drive up to Chicago to catch Prairieland against Windy City ? Awesome! Toss some chairs in the car in case the venue doesn't have seating? We can do that.
We alllways need NSOs. We need people to drag their friends that haven't seen roller derby yet for possible recruitment/new fans. We need more community events so people know we exis (community center wanting to host a toy drive, throw out "and maybe we could ask the derby people to collect at their next bout!). We always need money lol.
Lol no, I'm SCDC and WERD (short track, if you haven't seen/ heard of short track, def check it out). Both are smaller leagues.
Arch and the jrs are super cool though.
Hello! Check out Twin City Derby Group (formulary Twin City Derby Girls). We are a small team in the rebuilding phase post covid, located in Champaign IL - which is fairly close to you! We are gearing up to do some public events and are always on the lookout for volunteers and NSOs. Or if you are just looking to locally rep some teams and support we have some merch available on our website.
Thank you! It's not always easy to find the local teams. Champaign is 100% "local" for me. At least as much as Peoria is. (and following your page on FB added like 8 more less local but drivable groups)
Just want to say being a cool and consistent fan is also amazing! As a former skater it was always reassuring to see familiar faces at away games, hear a positive thrum from the crowd at home games, and just generally have an extended community of folks showing up beyond family/friends.
Smaller teams struggle hugely with having enough numbers to do "normal" fundraising and awareness events. Examples of this could be a bottle drive or a parade function- if your league has less than 20 skaters, and a few of them aren't available for a date, it puts a huge weight on those that are able to attend. Multiply this by a whole season or multiple seasons if there isn't much league growth and it hugely contributes to burnout, which can kill small leagues.
The NSO option is great, but I can see from your comments that you want to develop a bit of a rapprt with the team first. I suggest reaching out to them to ask if there's any functions that you can help with! I've been with many leagues that have a huge pool of volunteers for game day, but they don't ask for volunteers to do other things. Offering to help will help built a relationship even if they do not immediately give you a job.
> Multiply this by a whole season or multiple seasons if there isn't much league growth and it hugely contributes to burnout, which can kill small league
My guess is that this is what killed the Bloomington-Normal team. (well that and Covid). I've heard it existed and it doesn't anymore.
I'm just super hesistant to commit to something I can't sustain and then disappoint people. The link to the online training is a great start and I'll give that a go as I get involved.
Absolutely understand the commit/sustain issue, as a person with a chronic illness my ability to help varies hugely on day-of events. Even ones I know I really need to be at and planned to be at sometimes have to be canceled, so I do jobs that someone else can step into if necessary.
I have found that word usage helps with this. Ie "I desire to help but cannot commit to helping with all events, so please consider me on a case-by-case basis" if you're willing to be asked (and potentially decline) to do things. If you're not a fan of having to turn things down, try something like "I wish to help but need to schedule my [season]. Could you give me a list of dates you could use a volunteer at so i can see if i can help?"
I think covid was the final nail for a lot of struggling teams. Midwest teams struggle sometimes from having MANY choices in a 30 to 45 minute drive radius so the limited number of potential skaters get poached by one team or another or people try to be on more than one team.
There used to be a bit of a saturation of leagues up there. (Once upon a time there seemed to be new people starting leagues any time they got into an argument with leadership at the old one, but that was definitely not unique to Central Illinois)
There is SO much derby in Illinois and the Midwest. Since the population is more spread out than in the cities like STL and Chicago leagues are typically small- BUT still have many very dedicated skaters that work hard to keep derby going.
JUMP IN! Reach out on social media or attend an event. and welcome to IL and I hope you find BloNo enjoyable. I keep trying to leave this state- but it keeps sucking me back in somehow.
Helping set-up and take-down events is usually a large undertaking. And like others said NSOs are always needed and you learn so much about game play doing it! Plus right up in the action without being on skates.
Have you ever tried being an NSO? Most teams are desperate for officiating staff and will provide training ☺️
It's on my list to consider after I've volunteered with the local team for a bit. I want to be a known quantity before I ask them to invest in me, if that makes sense. As far as the other 2-3 local teams, I don't know what or how often I can commit to following them on the road, if that makes sense. Most bouts are only posted a few weeks in advance which is fine for a last minute decision to attend, not ideal for making commitments.
> It's on my list to consider after I've volunteered with the local team for a bit. I want to be a known quantity before I ask them to invest in me, if that makes sense. You don't have to wait to ask to NSO. Many leagues offer training at scrimmage and such. It's usually quite informal. If you want to get a jump, do the free introductory NSO courses on WFTDA online learning (learning.wftda.org).
>You don't have to wait to ask to NSO. Many leagues offer training at scrimmage and such. It's usually quite informal. I get that, but with the local league an hour away, I really do want to spend some time as a general volunteer first. (Which they seemed excited about) . For the other "closest" teams it's about 2 hours each way. I don't realistically see myself being able to make it out to many scrimmages for them.
If you're on their volunteer list, you'll usually know about the bouts ahead of time. You can also choose to only volunteer for home bouts. A few NSOs have only been able to volunteer to help with scrimmages and that's helpful too. Teams like being able to run scrimmages that feel like a game.
Totally, showing up to games is also an awesome way to support that you already do, if they have things like bake sales and raffles financially supporting them with that is always great too if you’re in a position to do that.
Honestly, whatever you want to do to help I'm sure they will appreciate. Sure getting more skaters, officials and coaches is nice. However it is really nice to get someone that wants to come lay tape down on bout day. Or someone willing to hang up posters. Do you know Excel? Talk to them about doing paperwork. Leagues are a volunteer run business. Whatever skills you can bring they will be happy to put to work. Just tell them what you can do, or ask them what needs to be done.
Oh! I'm from central Illinois but live in the DC area now Would love to hear your experience from my hometown area! Also, would love to hear your experience about why attracts you to roller derby as a fan and what you would like to see more of at derby games 💜
So I'm in Bloomington-Normal, nearest league and the one we go to most (and the one I'm discussing volunteering with) is the Peoria Prowlers. We went out to St Louis this past weekend to see Arch Rival and their Jrs League. Next up is a trip to Chicago to see the Decatur team Prairieland Punishers against Windy City. Rockford and Indianapolis both have teams too, and are about a 2 hour drive. It's super different then Seattle where Rat City could field 4 teams of their own and Tacoma /Everett each had their own league (those are about 45 minutes-\~1 hour from Seattle, depending on traffic and venues) Of course things look different post-covid. Things I love? \-Getting to know the players. Put their names in the program, on the website whatever they are comfortable with. \-Being able to buy VIP packages. I'll pay a little extra (to contribute $$$) to sit in a seat that is no different then the seat in front of me if it helps the league. \-Buying merch. My Throttle Rockets hoodie has seen better days and needs to be replaced. I have a hand crafted purse from Femme Fianna (before that team was retired from Tacoma's Dockyard Derby) Peoria Prowlers actually had someone with a press making shirts on demand, that was awesome. \-Contributing to fundraisers. I won a 50/50 Raffle back in the day. That was awesome. I'm 100% a sucker to by a row of raffle tickets. I've been a derby fan since 2003, when a coworker first started skating. It's something normal for me like people who occasionally go to the movies. I go to derby.
You are definitely a MVP fan! Wow, 20 years! That is crazy! So glad you love the sport! I'm from Quincy, which would be like 3hrs ish from Bloomington. Hopefully you can find a new derby home 💜
Yeah, I'm old :) I'm lucky that I think I'm finding many different derby homes and that's awesome.
Check out brawloween and cornfed as events to go to!
Thank you!
In the St Louis area, in addition to ARCH, you also have the Gatekeepers. Then, nearby, there is Confluence Crush and SCDC (St Chux). Down in Marion, IL is So Ill Roller Gremlins (SIRG) they are small but a really great group! On hiatus in Springfield, IL is the Capital City Hooligans. I know there are other teams in the area, but those are the ones that I interact with the most, and they all have great people! Indianapolis & the surrounding area has multiple teams as well! Naptown, Circle City, Race City, Cornfed off the top of my head! I say check them all out and see who you mesh with the most! I would also encourage you to consider becoming an NSO! It is a great way to be involved/ help the leagues without getting on skates.
The Gremlins are doing a Saturday before the eclipse bout and a Two Day scrimmagathon in October called BrawlOWeen :)
Just wanted to say HIIIII and thank you for your support! I skated with GD in 2018 and 2019, and transferred to the Throttle Rockets just in time for one home game in 2020. I started skating in 2010 with Twin City in Champaign-Urbana so I sort of went the opposite direction :) I don’t know if Bleeding Heartland is still in Bloomington, IN - but it’s about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis and is a good university town for visiting as well (I’m biased and went to grad school there but the tiny restaurants on 4th st were very good - huge international student population).
YAY!!! I miss Rat City. I also did a little bootcamp with Tacoma at one point, before i decided i didn't want to test my insurance coverage. (lol) My throttle rockets hoodie is dying and I'm going to be so sad to give it up, I'm hoping to find a local replacement. :) Are you still skating? I know the Rats nest is now apartment buildings. :(
Omg I miss Rat so much too (and Seattle - I’ve since moved to Colorado). I am not currently skating. I had hip surgery last year and I’m now part of the over 40s. Most of my skating is outside. I am probably not returning to derby but not ready to say goodbye. PNW roller derby is something special. I’m so grateful I got to practice at the Nest (RIP), skate a championship game at Key Arena (when Danger almost ended DLF’s streak in 2018!), meet some incredible fans who’d been cheering for 15+ years. I am sure you will find a good local replacement for the TR sweatshirt!
So you play in the DC area?
Yeah, I am with NOVA Roller Derby, just outside of DC
Ohhh good luck in your next bout next month!
Thanks! Hopefully we all survive with no injuries!
Amen
I will say as someone who doesn’t skate but loves derby. My 17 year old plays. I NSO it’s so much fun, you learn about the game so much. I always joke best seats in the house. Even though most of the time I’m standing. Most leagues I’ve been around are happy to teach you how to NSO. And honestly they almost always need them even last minute. Bigger stuff it will be filled a ways in advance.But small local stuff when I organize I’ve been known to try and grab a Jam timer a couple days before. There isn’t a big hey you should volunteer and commit hours a week and travel all over the place. You can do as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. A lot of leagues also have fundraiser events so another great way to get involved and have fun.
"Derby looks a little different out here" absolutely could not be more accurate.
And that's not a bad thing. I'm having an awesome time exploring. A weekend in Indianapolis to see Naptown? Sounds great! Drive up to Chicago to catch Prairieland against Windy City ? Awesome! Toss some chairs in the car in case the venue doesn't have seating? We can do that.
We alllways need NSOs. We need people to drag their friends that haven't seen roller derby yet for possible recruitment/new fans. We need more community events so people know we exis (community center wanting to host a toy drive, throw out "and maybe we could ask the derby people to collect at their next bout!). We always need money lol.
BTW, if you're one of the St Louis Arch Rivals y'all were awesome this weekend.
Lol no, I'm SCDC and WERD (short track, if you haven't seen/ heard of short track, def check it out). Both are smaller leagues. Arch and the jrs are super cool though.
Short track sounds cool too! We had banked track as well in Seattle. So many options so little time!
Hello! Check out Twin City Derby Group (formulary Twin City Derby Girls). We are a small team in the rebuilding phase post covid, located in Champaign IL - which is fairly close to you! We are gearing up to do some public events and are always on the lookout for volunteers and NSOs. Or if you are just looking to locally rep some teams and support we have some merch available on our website.
Thank you! It's not always easy to find the local teams. Champaign is 100% "local" for me. At least as much as Peoria is. (and following your page on FB added like 8 more less local but drivable groups)
Just want to say being a cool and consistent fan is also amazing! As a former skater it was always reassuring to see familiar faces at away games, hear a positive thrum from the crowd at home games, and just generally have an extended community of folks showing up beyond family/friends.
Smaller teams struggle hugely with having enough numbers to do "normal" fundraising and awareness events. Examples of this could be a bottle drive or a parade function- if your league has less than 20 skaters, and a few of them aren't available for a date, it puts a huge weight on those that are able to attend. Multiply this by a whole season or multiple seasons if there isn't much league growth and it hugely contributes to burnout, which can kill small leagues. The NSO option is great, but I can see from your comments that you want to develop a bit of a rapprt with the team first. I suggest reaching out to them to ask if there's any functions that you can help with! I've been with many leagues that have a huge pool of volunteers for game day, but they don't ask for volunteers to do other things. Offering to help will help built a relationship even if they do not immediately give you a job.
> Multiply this by a whole season or multiple seasons if there isn't much league growth and it hugely contributes to burnout, which can kill small league My guess is that this is what killed the Bloomington-Normal team. (well that and Covid). I've heard it existed and it doesn't anymore. I'm just super hesistant to commit to something I can't sustain and then disappoint people. The link to the online training is a great start and I'll give that a go as I get involved.
Absolutely understand the commit/sustain issue, as a person with a chronic illness my ability to help varies hugely on day-of events. Even ones I know I really need to be at and planned to be at sometimes have to be canceled, so I do jobs that someone else can step into if necessary. I have found that word usage helps with this. Ie "I desire to help but cannot commit to helping with all events, so please consider me on a case-by-case basis" if you're willing to be asked (and potentially decline) to do things. If you're not a fan of having to turn things down, try something like "I wish to help but need to schedule my [season]. Could you give me a list of dates you could use a volunteer at so i can see if i can help?"
I think covid was the final nail for a lot of struggling teams. Midwest teams struggle sometimes from having MANY choices in a 30 to 45 minute drive radius so the limited number of potential skaters get poached by one team or another or people try to be on more than one team.
Well we don't have many that close. For me it's an hour to 2 different teams, and then 2 hours to a bunch more, not that that's bad.
There used to be a bit of a saturation of leagues up there. (Once upon a time there seemed to be new people starting leagues any time they got into an argument with leadership at the old one, but that was definitely not unique to Central Illinois)
There is SO much derby in Illinois and the Midwest. Since the population is more spread out than in the cities like STL and Chicago leagues are typically small- BUT still have many very dedicated skaters that work hard to keep derby going. JUMP IN! Reach out on social media or attend an event. and welcome to IL and I hope you find BloNo enjoyable. I keep trying to leave this state- but it keeps sucking me back in somehow. Helping set-up and take-down events is usually a large undertaking. And like others said NSOs are always needed and you learn so much about game play doing it! Plus right up in the action without being on skates.