Stereotyping a Queen City Roller Girl (QCRG) is out of the question. An eclectic bunch of women ranging from PTA mothers to professionals make up the more than 80 girls dispersed on four teams in the only all-female flat track roller derby league in Western New York.

The four teams include the Suicidal Saucies, Devil Dollies, Nickel City Knockouts and the Alley Kats. In addition, QCRG also has an All-Star team, formed from the best of the four teams, that compete with similar teams in various cities including Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio. Members of Queen’s Court are derby girls who were not drafted into the league, but can still work on improving their skills for the next year’s draft pick.

Roller derby involves up to five skaters on each team, circling the track. One person on each team wears a star on their helmet, signaling they are the “jammer,” or the only person who can score points.

The pack that the jammer must pass in order to obtain points for her team, consists of three blockers and one pivot.

At the first whistle, everyone but the jammers begin to skate around the track, and at the second whistle the jammers begin to skate. The first jammer to skate around the pack without fouls or penalties is declared the lead jammer, which signifies that she can then score one point for each opposing team member she passes legitimately. The lead jammer has two minutes to obtain as many points as possible, but can call the jam at any time she deems necessary by placing her hands on her hips.

“We say in roller derby, ’We don’t play with balls, but we have balls,’” said Maria Hollander, public relations for QCRG who also plays for the Suicidal Saucies and the All-Star Team.

The bouts, played at the Rainbow Rink in North Tonawanda, begin in January and end in late spring.

Three women formed QCRG. They did their research, inquired at various skating rinks and looked up information online.

“It’s just a little monster, growing and growing, changing so many lives,” said Hollander. “Every single skater in this league’s life was changed in the formation of this league. Some of these girls in this league never had the option to play sports, or maybe they did, but they felt they were too old to keep doing it, but now they have the opportunity to do something good for their bodies.”

As word about QCRG forming spread, it quickly developed into a phenomenon. The league was inundated with ladies interested in trying out, and people attending watch the bouts.

There is an old stereotype about women involved with roller derby being “punks” or “scary.” The women involved with the QCRG are far from that, each carrying their own personas and energies on and off the track. Some are tall and strong, while others are petite.

“What I love most is that you can’t stereotype a roller girl,” said Hollander, who chose the roller derby name Crazy Legs. “When you see someone who looks scary and intimidating with tattoos all over them, you talk to her and, in the first five seconds, you realize she is just a teddy bear. They are sweethearts. Roller girls come in all shapes and sizes. It’s a matter of personal strength and knowing the game.”

Roller girls are everywhere. You probably walk past one while shopping in the grocery store, at your child’s ballet recital or little league game, or by driving past one with a bumper sticker identifying what team to which they pledge their allegiance.

The league includes teachers, nurses, secretaries, lawyers, speech pathologists, professional skaters, moms, single moms, working moms and professionals, and all are equally accepted. The women making up QCRG are just people willing to do something different and mustering up enough personal strength to do it.
Many single moms on the team find maintaining a balance between working, the two- to four-day practices for QCRG and spending time with their children challenging, but they do say it is rewarding.

“Personally, I feel like I’m giving a good example to my kids to never give up their enthusiasm,” said Hollander. “I tell other moms that it’s not all about work and keeping the house; they have to do something for themselves and make themselves grow.”

Not only does the league boast of a wide range of professionals, but they also offer a support system, to each other and the community.
When Hollander joined last year, she hadn’t really strapped on roller skates in her life, but still, that one minor detail did not deter her.
“Once you put the wheels on, everybody helps you put forth so much effort and you have to not give up and keep going,” said Hollander. “You sleep with your wheels on. Everybody is there to support you.”

The women may be feisty on the track, but off the track each member of the team has 80 best friends, those people she can turn to when times get rough, or to express her joys and happiness.
There are approximately seven different committees roller girls can join without skates, such as a rules committee and volunteer committee.
At each bout, QCRG chooses a charitable organization, usually one associated with women, and donates their proceeds to them. In addition to donating money, the women also donate their time. Recently, a group of them participated in a tree planting in the City of Buffalo, were part of Buffalo ReUse and make appearances at different charity events to name a few.

“We are trying to get involved with the community and the organizations here in Western New York as much as possible,” said Hollander. “It’s not only important to get our name out in the community and inform people on who we are, but it’s also important for us to be a part of helping Buffalo move and grow and not stay stagnant.”

Roller girls will tell you that after they strap on the skates that first time, they feel empowered, both on and off the track. They have a newfound sense of confidence and pride.

Some women may feel that they are too old or they feel like they won’t be able to get everything accomplished before they put their skates on; but when they come to practice or the bouts, the derby girls all find enough energy within themselves to skate. Their fellow teammates, more like sisters, show their support and enthusiasm encouraging the women. And once the adrenaline starts pumping, there is no stopping them.

“These girls who started QCRG never thought of the impact they would make in creating this league. They have helped so many lives, so many women have had their lives changed,” said Hollander. “Each one feels stronger on and off their skates because of this. We are women empowering other women. Everyone can do this, it just takes self-strength, not physical, but mental.”

For more information, visit www.qcrg.net.

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