Join the Oil City Derby Girls!

If you are over the age of 18 and are looking for an exciting new sport, please come and try skating on our next Recruitement Night on Thursday May 2nd, 2013

Ask any questions you may have by emailing us at joinus@oilcityderbygirls.ca

Aged 10-17 and interested in Junior Roller Derby? Please check out the
Greater Edmonton Junior Roller Derby League Association.

Interested in Men's Derby? Click Here to find out more about the River City Riot

Click here to view our online Calendar for practice times and locations

We have a small supply of skates you can borrow or bring your own. Wrist guards, a CSA approved helmet, elbow and knee pads are required. Your first skate is FREE , after, the cost is $10.00 each individual practice or regular monthly dues are $50.00.

Feel free to direct any further questions to: joinus@oilcityderbygirls.ca

Here are some helpful FAQ's

Am I too old and out of shape to play?

Your never too old and out of shape, we have members in their fourties. We’ll whip you into shape in no time.
How much does it cost?

The biggest expense will be for your equipment. You will need protective gear; helmet, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and a mouthguard. Skates and wheels will be your greatest expense. The League charges monthly dues to help pay for rink expenses, advertising, and admin costs: $50/month for registered skaters, $10/each practice for unregistered skaters. Insurance is $50.00 a year. Fundraisers are held to help pay for our operating costs. Eventually, our fundraisers will help defer the costs of uniforms, equipment, and the ultimate goal - our own venue!
How much time will it take?
Practice, scrimmages and bouts take a considerable time commitment. Practices are held a couple times a week for 11/2 - 2 hours each. It may sound intimidating but you'll quickly realize how much fun skating is and want to do even more! (girls have been known to practice 4-6 times a week!) A minimum attendance expectation of 66% must be met for girls who wish to skate in bouts or take part in benefits offered to skaters by the League.
Is Roller Derby fake?
No! Our roller derby is a real sport with no choreographing - except from the half-time entertainment. We play to have a good time and entertain the crowd but also to WIN - and no one ever knows who'll win till the game's over. Girls can and will get hurt in the course of things because this is a full-contact sport. It's also a lot of fun! As in wrestling, the fun, competitive, and aggressive nature of the game lends itself well to rink-side theatrics and drama that has nothing to do with the sport. The occasional brawl just adds to the fun and spectacle that is roller derby!!
What are the rules?
Basically, there are 2 teams of 5 rollergirls on the track during each 2-minute jam. Each team has one scoring position called a jammer, one pivot, and three blockers. The pivots and blockers form what we call a pack. The pack starts out ahead of the jammers and everyone goes at the first whistle blast. The jammers have to break through the pack and skate another lap before they start scoring points. On a jammer's second and future trips through, she gets a point for every opponent she passes. The blockers and pivots try to stop the opposing jammer from getting through, while assisting their own jammer.
What equipment do I need?
The first thing you'll need is the required protective gear; a helmet, wrist guards, elbow, and knee pads are required for practice and mouthguards for bout skating. Tailbone and hip pads are also highly recommended. You can find full sets of pads (wrist, elbow & knee) for $30-40 at most sports stores (ie: sportmart). You can get starter skates from thrift stores for $5-10 or beginner practice skates at discount online stores, e-bay before investing in speed skates. Once you decide OCDG is really for you, invest in a good pair of skates, which will run you $100 - $200. You'll find the cheaper skates will slow you down, and make skating harder. In the beginning, you'll be able to rent skates at the rink, however, we hold some practices in the summer at outdoor rinks where rentals aren't available. Check out the rookie packages available online from Sin City Skates and also from Rollergirl. For a local store you can shop Badgirlfriend Skates
What if I get hurt?
It's not "if you get hurt", it's "when you get hurt!" Pulled muscles, sprains, strains, bruises, and broken bones can and will happen in OCDG. This is why protective gear and insurance are required. We also train, stretch and practice falling to help reduce injuries and their severity. To reduce skaters' out of pocket costs, all skaters are required to maintain health insurance. This may sound expensive if you don't have insurance through your employer, but we've found some affordable individual plans through Blue Cross or your college/university.
What if I haven't been on skates since Junior High? Don't I have to be a great skater to even attempt roller derby?
Nope. A lot of us hadn't been on skates for years before we joined OCDG. Everyone starts out at different skill levels and we have special new girl practices on Sunday and graduate you to extra practices during week as you progress. For the first couple of weeks just practice skating and getting your skate legs and balance back. As you become more steady on your skates you can join in on more of the drills, working your way towards bouting eligibility and team placement. Don't worry about not being a skating whiz right away, just wear your protective gear and take it slow at first!
What if I'm really big? Don't you have to be athletic and in shape to play roller derby?
Nope. Big girls are hard to push around, give strong assists, hard knocks, can cover a lot of ground, and make for great blockers. Not to mention that skating on a roller derby team will most likely get you in the best shape of your life!
What if I'm really little? Don't you have to be big and burly to play roller derby?
Nope. The smaller girls are, generally speaking, faster and are usually placed in the jammer position as team point scorers. They are wily, quick, easy to whip around the rink, and generally fall down less, since they have a lower center of gravity.
Who can join Oil City Derby Girls?
You must be 18 or over, and have health insurance to skate in the league. Men and women 18 and over can also join as referees, announcers, coaches, stagehands or general help. Anyone of any age can help support OCDG through promoting, fundraising, sponsoring, and attending events and bouts.

Feel free to contact us at joinus@oilcityderbygirls.ca