History

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What’s the Story?

In January 2006, two teams formed independent of each other: the Toronto Terrors and the Smoke City Betties.

The Terrors were brought together by “man-about-town” Scootro P. Meat, whose goal was to get as many hot, sassy girls as possible to beat each other up in indecently short skirts. He and his friend Trevstopher, a former hockey player, established themselves as the girls’ coaches, along with Jeff and Sally Brabant, two world-class Pan-Am Artistic and Dance skaters. With their help, the 14 fearless roller girls quickly progressed from knock-kneed, wobbling colts to fast, smooth and confident racers ready for the Derby.

Meanwhile, RollerBug Skate Co., owned by Kandy Barr, attracted the attention of other rollergirls-to-be. She coordinated a meeting and the Smoke City Betties, Toronto’s Blue Collar Cheerleaders, began practicing the very next week.

The Terrors dreamed of derby domination, and opened their doors to the outside world. At 9 AM on a rainy Sunday in April, 60 girls lined up to try out, hoping against all hope to get in on this emerging sport. Most of them did. On that day, the Toronto Roller Derby league burst into flame! The Toronto Terrors dissolved, and from their footsteps rose ToRD: four full teams of ass-kickin’, hard-skatin’, never-take-no- for-an-answer roller rebels… the Chicks Ahoy!, a crew of sassy sailors; the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, a team of elite, highly trained assassins; the Death Track Dolls, the cutest living dead you’ll ever see on four wheels ; and the Bay Street Bruisers, brutal bankers who mean business.

On August 19, 2006, the Smoke City Betties hosted Derby D-Day. D-Day was a day of scrimmages and drills between teams from Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal and Buffalo, NY followed by a Betties vs. Hammer City Roller Girls (from neighboring Hamilton) scrimmage. D-Day was designed to bring everyone together in the spirit of sisterhood and derby and that it did!

The week after D-Day, representatives from all five Toronto teams met and discussed reinventing a league that all teams could get behind, a league that allowed for each team to represent themselves, and govern the league as one. It was at this meeting that the ever growing Betties split and the sixth team – the Gore-Gore Roller Girls, a burlesque troupe of undead vigilantes – was born.

After months of organizing, training and preparing for an official season, ToRD secured a venue to showcase their sport – George Bell Arena, near the Runnymede and St. Clair W. intersection.

Fresh Meat

Think you have what it takes to be a Toronto Roller Derby girl?

The Toronto Roller Derby League holds training sessions and tryouts throughout the year for our draft pool. We will show you how to skate, and how to play roller derby – so, while experience is good – none is needed to come out! For more information, or to sign up please email freshmeat@torontorollerderby.com and we’ll give you all the info you need to know!

You must be:

  • Over 19 years of age
  • Female
  • Willing to learn
  • Be able to commit 2-3 nights a week to practice and working within the league
  • Understand there is a financial commitment to roller derby which includes monthly dues, insurance, and purchasing your own skates and gear.

We look forward to training you and seeing you on the track!