Along with the spring thaw of our local recreation spots comes a smaller but just as eagerly anticipated thaw at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. May marks the removal of the ice in Haynes Pavillion and therefore the start of the Gallatin Roller Girlz home season. This summer will be their third home season and they have more bouts planned than ever before!

Just because their home turf has been under ice doesn’t mean they have been dormant in their off season. With the exception of a holiday hiatus from mid November to early January, the roller girls practice year round in smaller facilities. Along with training, the team travels around Montana and neighboring states to play other leagues. In January, The Gallatin Roller Girlz became an apprentice league in the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association (WFTDA).

This allows them to skate on a regional and national level, have a voice in the national discussion about the sport and eventually become a ranked full member league. GRG is the first league in Montana to achieve this status and they are quite proud of it! Not only does it require a dedicated group of women who are serious about skating and the rules of roller derby, it also requires the league to be well organized off skates and to have their paperwork in order.

January marked the start of the team’s first ever Fresh Meat Bootcamp, a 12 week program that teaches the basics of the game. It was a great success and brought several new team members into the league. The Fresh Meat camp teaches members to skate, if necessary, then how to stop and fall safely. It’s a no contact program, meaning you won’t get hit until you move on to the next level! While the sport can only be played by women, men can join the camp as well to begin on the path to becoming a roller derby referee. A bout is played with seven referees so the league is always interested in recruiting new refs! The next boot camp will be held later this year, either late summer or early fall.

Roller derby is one of the fastest growing women’s sports in the United States right now. It is a dynamic sport that is always advancing and changing. It is played by a 70 page rule set that is governed by the WFTDA. This year has brought some changes to the rules, including shorter penalties (players will now spend 30 seconds in the penalty box instead of 60), intended to change the impact penalties have on scores and has dramatically sped up game play. All skaters must study the rules and pass a written test before they are able to bout. This keeps players mentally sharp and increases awareness of the game.

The Girlz are coming back to The Haynes Pavillions after an undefeated home season there last summer. This year they will host five home bouts. Four will be indoors and one will be outdoors, played on black top, during the Gallatin County Fair. Each bout will have a theme. Fans ages 18+ are encouraged to dress up to have access to front row “Suicide Seating”. The events are family friendly, with children under 12 admitted for free. As always, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from each bout will go to a local non-profit group in the Bozeman area. The Gallatin Roller Girlz are a 501(c)3 non-profit, which is not the case with all roller derby leagues, and they believe strongly in giving back to the community that supports them. Roller Girlz can frequently be seen out and about in the valley participating in events such as The President’s Day Plunge to benefit The Special Olympics and The Reach Run for Independence.

For the first time, GRG is offering a season pass sale for their four indoor bouts. Passes are available through May 24th and save 25% off door admission and 6% off regular discounted tickets. The first bout of the season will be Talladerby Nights, held May 24th at The Haynes Pavillion. This Nascar themed bout is intra-league, meaning the league will split into two teams and play against each other, which is always fun to watch! As with all of GRG’s home bouts, there will be food vendors and a no-host bar, half-time entertainment, games and prizes! DJ Bones will be providing music. If you don’t take advantage of the season pass, tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Again, kids under 12 get in free! A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to Bozeman Firefighters Local 613 Benevolent Fund. Doors open at 7pm and the action starts at 8pm.

In order to host all their bouts this summer, the Girlz will need lots of help! They are currently looking for volunteers for non skating roles. If you’re interested, please contact nsogrg@gmail.com. For tickets and more information in general, go online to www.grgderby.com. The Gallatin Roller Girlz can also be found on FaceBook.   

Gallatin Roller Girlz
Home Schedule 2014
May 24th - Intra-league: Hot Wheels vs Speed Demons
June 21st - Billings Roller Derby Dames
July 19th - Intra-league “parking lot bout” as part of The Gallatin County Fair
August 23rd - Missoula’s Hellgate Roller Girls
September 13 - Great Falls’ Electric City Roller Girls