Current Season

The Texas Rollergirls Recreational League, the Rec-N-Rollerderby, is strapping on the skates for another season of extreme derby training from the best trainers around, fun-fueled camaraderie and plenty of opportunities to learn and play the one-of-a-kind sport of flat track roller derby.

Rec League’s 2012 season will consist of three 12-week sessions and a fourth six-week session. During each session, Rec League skaters will have the opportunity to train and skate in one or more of the four Rec League groups: Primer, Group C, Group B and Group A. As with the previous season, Groups C, B and A will be afforded their own practice and scrimmage time during the three 12-week skating sessions, and all four groups will run concurrently, beginning and ending on the same dates. Some group practice times will overlap, but each group is trained separately, and every group is trained by current or retired Texas Rollergirls.

Each group will have a minimum skills set, which skaters must master to skate at that level. Each skater new to Rec League may request a skills assessment after they skate in the Primer Group and demonstrate knowledge of basic skills. Returning Rec League skaters who were assessed during the 2011 season may enter the 2012 season at the same level in which they skated previously, or may opt to try assessing to a higher level. Once cleared by the head trainer to skate in a particular group, the skater can skate at her assessed level and/or in any group up to that level. Rec League skaters may attend more than one group, assuming they meet all skill assessments and enrollment fees. For example, if cleared for Group B, that skater could skate in Group B, Group C, Primer or at all those levels. Movement between Primer, Group C and Group B can be fluid within each skating session, dependent upon passing a documented skills assessment. Individual groups will not scrimmage each other; for instance, skaters in Group B will only scrimmage other skaters in Group B.

Below is a breakdown of each Rec League training group and what skaters can expect as members of each group:

Primer: A longstanding requirement before joining the ranks of the Rec League, the Primer group is for skaters who are new to skating and need to learn the basics, including skating form and control, and especially safety. There is no contact in the Primer group, and as such, there will be no scrimmaging at this level. Primer group will meet for practice twice a week. Every new skater—as well as those returning from injury and those who have been off skates for more than one year—is required to initially enroll in the Primer group. However, skaters may be allowed to move up to the appropriate group level any time during the session after passing a skills assessment and being cleared by the head trainer.

Group C: The Rec League Group C level provides a challenging yet supportive group environment in which skaters can excel. At this level, skaters will focus on effective pack skating and basic derby play. They will work on learning and perfecting safe contact, hitting and pack skating. Group C will meet for practice twice a week, and will scrimmage three times per session, with teams changing each scrimmage.

Group B: The Rec League Group B level pushes skaters to further improve their derby skills while affording them the opportunity to learn more derby strategy. The ideal Group B skater has skated and/or played derby for several years, is comfortable with contact, skates safely in a pack situation, and has a strong desire to better her skating and derby skills. Group B will meet for practice twice a week, and will scrimmage three times per session, with teams changing each scrimmage.

Group A: An entirely unique anomaly, the Rec League Group A level is for bad-ass veteran skaters who have the potential to play derby at the competitive level. Fast skating and hard hitting is a way of life for these skaters. Group A will not have traditional practices, but instead meet once a week to scrimmage. Subject to head trainer approval, some Group A skaters may apply to help train Group B skaters in exchange for a reduced payment rate to skate in Group A.

Session One is set to begin January 22, 2012. All Rec League practices and scrimmages will occur at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St., in East Austin. Please note that session dates are always subject to change. Rec League orientation is scheduled for noon on Sunday, January 8.

Below is a tentative schedule of Rec League practices for the skate session beginning in January 2012 (specifics are subject to change):

Session One: January 22 — April 15, 2012
Scrimmage Dates: February 19, March 11, April 15

Session Two: April 22 — July 15, 2012
Scrimmage Dates: May 13, June 17, July 8

Session Three: July 22 — October 14, 2012
Scrimmage Dates: August 26, September 16, October 14

During each of the three 12-week skate sessions, the four Rec League groups will practice on the following dates and times (practice dates are subject to change):

Tuesdays: Group B — 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Wednesdays: Group A — 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Thursdays: Primer & Group C — 6 – 7:30 p.m. (Combined practice)

Sundays: Primer — 9 – 11 a.m.
Group B & Group C — 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Combined practice)

Pricing for Primer, Group C and Group B skaters is $115 per skater per 12-week session. The rate for Group A skaters is $60 per 12-week session.

Rec League also offers pro-rated payments throughout each session. For each 12-week session, Primer, Group C and Group B skaters would pay a pro-rated fee depending on when during the session they join:

Joining the session with seven to nine weeks remaining: $86.25

Joining the session with four to six weeks remaining: $55.00

Joining the session with one to three weeks remaining: $27.50

For each 12-week session, Group A skaters would pay a pro-rated fee depending on when during the session they join:

Joining the session with seven to nine weeks remaining: $45.00

Joining the session with four to six weeks remaining: $30.00

Joining the session with one to three weeks remaining: $15.00

Below is a tentative schedule of Rec League practices for the fourth six-week skate session, which will be open only to Group B and Group A skaters (specifics are subject to change):

Session Four: October 21 — December 9, 2012 (no practices on November 21 or November 25, Thanksgiving holiday)

Wednesdays: Group A 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Sundays: Group B 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Session Four pricing for Group B and Group A skaters is $60 per skater for the six-week session. The a pro-rated fee for joining Session Four with one to three weeks remaining is $30.00.

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) insurance is required for every Rec League skater, and may be purchased through Rec League annually at the beginning of the calendar year or upon joining Rec League. WFTDA insurance costs $60 for the year (expires December 31, 2012), and skaters may not skate with the league until their WFTDA insurance is purchased.

All Rec League skaters must register to skate with the league prior to assessing or enrolling in any session. Registration is quick and easy online at SportsSignup.com.