Gem City Roller Derby 2022 Season Opener

Gem City Roller Derby 2022 Season Opener

INTERNATIONALLY RANKED GEM CITY ROLLER DERBY IS BACK 

ON THE TRACK AND BETTER THAN EVER

Women’s flat track roller derby is finally back after a nearly three-year COVID safety hiatus. Adopting the motto “Stay Ready”, Dayton’s own Gem City Roller Derby (GCRD) league has continued to hone their skills and strengthen their strategies while many leagues remained shut down. Ranked 61st in the world in 2019, GCRD is looking stronger than ever going into its season opening double header against Kalamazoo Roller Derby on Saturday, April 16th at 5:00 PM at Dayton South Metro Sportsplex.

Fast-paced, hard-hitting, and in-your-face, roller derby is not a sport for the faint of heart. However, the international “Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association” (WFTDA) does take the safety of its players very seriously. For this reason, women’s roller derby implemented some of the strictest COVID safety protocols of any sport. While many teams stopped practicing completely in the wake of COVID-19, GCRD found ways to remain active while still adhering to the WFTDA’s seven tiered “Return to Play” guidelines. 

Gem City Roller Derby’s Public Relations and Media Co-Chair, Kristina “Ruthless Skater Ginsburg” Coen described the league’s early practices as “something we all really needed to do. Gem City isn’t just a sports league, it’s a chosen family. For many of us, roller derby is a stress reliever and an outlet for the frustrations of daily life. During the pandemic, we needed that more than ever.”

As to how the league managed to remain active during the pandemic, Coen stated, “We practiced however we were able. We did virtual off-skate workouts over Skype. We practiced outdoors in the summer heat. We practiced 6 feet apart in little 4 ft squares. Once we were able to make contact again, we practiced in small, designated groups. We basically did whatever it took to be able to keep practicing.”

Coen stated that although it wasn’t always easy to keep motivated, the League’s overall attitude has been positive. “We’re all just really happy to be here. Coach Chris is bursting with ideas and enthusiasm and it’s just infectious. Our Assistant Coach, “B. Noddy” and our Head Official, “Scotchy Scotch Scott” are both invaluable resources with decades of combined roller derby experience. We’re really lucky to have them.”

GCRD’s President, Ang “Archangel Anarchy” Garcia, stated, “We are incredibly proud of our league. Our accomplishments are a result of hours and hours of continuous, genuine effort from all of our members–skating athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers alike. The finest gems are formed under pressure, right? These past three years have been incredibly difficult, but I think we have had the culture, fortune, knowledge, and skill necessary to pull together. As both individuals and a collective, this is the strongest Gem City has ever been!”

Doors open for the first game at 5:00 PM in the courthouse at South Metro Sportsplex, 10561 Success Ln, Centerville, OH. Ticket prices are free for children under 12, $7 for ages 12-17, and $12 presale for adults ($15 at the door). Pre-sale tickets and the competitive season schedule are available on GCRD’s website and social media pages.

GCRD’s December 2021 “Stay Ready” Exhibition Scrimmage sold out, so pre-ordering tickets is highly encouraged. 

If you want to know more about Dayton’s top ranked roller derby league or if you want to get involved, you can find more information at gemcityrollerderby.com or you can like and follow the Gem City Roller Derby on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Gem City Roller Derby (GCRD), established in 2006, is a registered 501c3 non-profit athletic organization. 

GCRD is a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). 

Photo Credit: Samantha “Bruise Springsteen” Redrow

Links & Tags

South Metro Sports

Gem City Roller Derby 2022 Season Opener is taking place at South Metro Sports, which is located at 10561 Success Lane in Centerville. South Metro Sports - Miami Valley's only year-round ice rink for hockey, broomball & figure skating with a 25,000 sq. foot arena housing 4 volleyball and 3 basketball courts.

Gem City Roller Derby.

Gem City Roller Derby - We are a skater owned and skater managed all-female roller derby league in Dayton, members of WFTDA.