We are pleased to announce that our ten-week-long Derby 101 Program will be back for Spring 2026!
The Spring session will begin on March 15th, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Alliston Memorial Arena, 49 Nelson St. W, Alliston.
For more info, come to our info night, March 8th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Alliston Memorial Arena, or email: derby101 @ renegadederbydames .com or message us on Facebook
Sign up now and start enjoying all the health benefits that come from roller skating.
Join the community that is flat track roller derby today!!
Our Derby 101 program is $150 for 10 weeks of
lessons, plus insurance fees. Want to bring a
friend? We are also offering BOGO memberships,
just ask!
Roller derby insurance can be purchased
from Roller Derby Canada Services (RDC). Note: Roller
Derby insurance has to be purchased individually.
Click for details.
Lessons are held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Sundays. There will be opportunities for extra skate time on the sidelines of the league practice, which runs on Thursdays from 7-9 pm.
Allison Memorial Arena at 49 Nelson Street West (between Church & Paris) in downtown Alliston.
Please fill out our Online Membership Form.
Here's everything you'll need to have before you can practice:
Please refer to the WFTDA Equipment Guide for more details.
Skates used in derby are flat or very low-heeled quad-style skates that are also used in speed skating. That's not to say you can't wear those stylin' Moxi skates on the track, but you should know this style of rec skates is designed for jam skating and skate parks, and can hinder your mastery of some derby skills. That's mostly because the weight distribution pushes you onto your toes and not onto your heels, where you want to be when you take a hit.
You get what you pay for. This is especially true when it comes to skates. Cheap-o recreation skates found for discounts online are not recommended for roller derby because they aren't sturdy enough with their poor construction and weak plates, they also generally don't have adjustable toe stops (and worse yet, they're often bell-style that are way too high for derby), and they often come with dance heels rather than the flat speed-style skates that are most effective for derby. We recommend shopping for derby-made skates by a trusted brand such as Riedell, Antik, Bondt, or Sure-grip. If you have any questions about the quality of what you're buying, please ask someone who plays derby. Feel free to email us or message us on Facebook if you want advice.
We know, investing in even low-end derby skates isn't cheap, especially when you add on the rest of the gear and the cost of training, but the biggest advantage to getting decent gear is that it lasts a long time, and you can always resell it. So, whether you decide derby isn't for you (what!?! 🤯), or you want to upgrade to better skates that fit your newly-discovered style and preferences after skating a while, being able to sell old skates (and safety gear) allows you to get something back out of your investment.[cite: 1]
All derby shops offer starter packages, including full sets of safety gear and sometimes including the skates too. We highly recommend checking return policies in case you need to trade something in because it's not right for you or doesn't fit right.
🍁 All the shops that we list here are Canadian-owned and run by Canadian skaters. What's Your Damage is owned and run by Canadian and Indigenous skaters.
We have some used gear available for skaters who want to try it out before investing in the gear. We have lots of safety gear available, but spare skates are harder to come by, and we only have limited sizes. Please let us know if you'd like to borrow anything to get started when you sign up, and we will try to find items to fit you. Sorry, but we cannot lend mouth guards (for obvious reasons).
Even if you’ve never tried on skates before, you will learn how to skate, stop properly and fall safely. You’ll learn fancy footwork like gliding and weaving on one foot, and changing from a forward direction to a backward direction. You'll learn how to balance, how to hop over obstacles, and how to improve your stride for speed. You'll learn about basic strategy and about the rules of flat track roller derby.
You’ll find out how to deliver a powerful hit, how to take one, and how to counter hit. You'll learn how to push and pull someone safely. You’ll learn to work with your teammates and skate in a pack as well as how to navigate through it. You'll learn how to cross the track quickly, how to lean an opponent out of bounds, and how to deal with unexpected obstacles. Basically, you’ll learn all the skills you need to start playing roller derby. Most importantly, you’ll learn how capable you are of kicking ass, and having fun while doing it!
You’ll learn how to interpret the rules and apply them to gameplay happening on the track. You'll practice the hand signals and verbal cues used to issue a penalty, and learn how to blow a whistle properly as part of a referee crew. You'll learn about the Officiating Standardized Practices and the referee positions such as Head Referee, Inside and Outside Pack Referees, and Jam Referees. You'll learn how to work with Non-Skating Officials, how to share data with them during games. Basically, you'll learn all the skills needed to start officiating at scrimmages and games, and gain the confidence necessary to be part of the awesomeness that is Team Zebra!
Just because you can’t skate yet doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to play roller derby! Our training program is designed for skaters of all levels, and we start out covering the absolute basics, from gliding forward to stopping, to falling safely, and after just a few weeks, you may be surprised at how well you’re doing. (Please note, we encourage beginning skaters to attend as many sessions as possible and stay for the extra skate time.) You can also practice on your own to work on your basic skills if you want to improve even faster.
You'll start off learning to skate, stop, and fall safely, then, as you go, you'll move on to practicing skills and doing drills that build on what you've learned so far. Your coaches will discuss your progress with you at every stage and make sure you are developing your skills safely.
You'll be expected to try hard and to never say "I can't" unless it's followed by "yet." You'll be offered advice and support from veteran skaters.
As you progress, you'll learn how to use what you know so far to play derby, and how the rules apply. You'll have homework that involves reading the WFTDA Rules, doing take-home quizzes, and watching roller derby videos.[cite: 1]
You'll be encouraged to compare your progress only to your earlier self rather than others, and to be proud of your accomplishments. You'll discover that everyone learns at their own pace and will develop some skills more easily than others, mostly depending on sports or skating background, fitness level, and dedication to training. There is no time limit to developing your skills, and the Derby 101 program is only the start of your adventures in roller derby!
Once you have completed Derby 101, you'll join in with our league practices, where you'll start to learn more of the tactics and strategies that we use to play roller derby. You'll join in for warm-ups and drills right away, and participate in practice scrimmaging when you and the coaches decide you're ready.
The next step is to join a team. There are no tryouts, but you will need to have reached a safe level in your skills, as determined by the coaches. You will start as a member of the Bombshell Battalion, our "B" Team, and you will be allowed to try out for our Charter ("A") Team: the Striking Vikings if and when you decide you are ready.
We currently hold one league practice a week in Alliston, with frequent scrimmages and bouts, both home and away.
Regular league dues are $60 per month, and Regular Skater Insurance coverage costs $55 for a year.
Please note: We follow the WFTDA Statement on Gender for all players, but anyone of any gender can be an official, coach, or volunteer.
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) is committed to inclusive and anti-discrimination practices in relation to all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive participants, and aims to ensure that all skaters’, volunteers’, and employees’ rights are respected and protected.
You are welcome to skate on the sidelines during any of our practices. There are also roller rinks nearby that offer open skating (and skate rental) on various days and times: The Skating Place at ODAS Park in Orillia ($10 including rental) and Scooters in Mississauga ($16-$18, +$5 rental). SUSO Skate Co. offers roving rinks and currently has one open at Oshawa Centre ($12-14, with rental skates and safety gear available for a few dollars more). In the winter (late Dec to early Feb), there is a free pop-up rink (including free skate and safety gear rentals) at Union Station in Toronto called Roller Express (requires advanced registration).
For more information, email us at: derby101 @ renegadederbydames .com
Skaters who have played games with, or passed their WFTDA Minimum Skating Skills Requirement (or equivalent), at another league are welcome to transfer to RDD as regular members, but they may be required to pass a short safety test and/or our written WFTDA rules test, and they will need to provide a transfer letter from their previous league.
All transfer skaters can apply for membership using our Online Membership Form.
For more information, email us at: skaters @ renegadederbydames .com or skating101 @ renegadederbydames .com
Skaters from other leagues who have passed their WFTDA Minimum Skating Skills Requirement and who hold valid Skater Insurance are welcome to join any of our League Practices, Endurance Practices, or Intermediate Practices, for a small fee per session ($15).
Guest skaters from other leagues who are new skaters are welcome to drop in for our Skating 101 classes, for a small fee per session ($15).
Guest Referees are welcome at any and all of our practices and do not pay a visitor fee.
Please check our Events Calendar for practice dates and times.
For more information, email us at: skaters @ renegadederbydames .com
Referees are volunteer skaters who work together to implement the rules fairly and consistently, creating a safe roller derby environment for scrimmages and bouts. Their monthly dues are waived, and they are instead granted league membership by their continuing participation. They are required to maintain insurance coverage, which can be purchased from Roller Derby Canada Services (RDC) for $30 per year. Click for details.
Referees are encouraged to attend practices and are welcome to participate in any non-contact drills, including off-skates, warm ups, footwork drills, cool downs, and stretches. Additionally, during practices, referees can work on their officiating skills during drills or scrimmage, or can choose to work on skating skills on the sidelines. They are encouraged to share their rules knowledge with not just other referees, but with everyone in the league. We happily support any referees who are working towards any level of WFTDA certification in any way that we can, but we also welcome referees who just want to support the league with their skills and knowledge.
"Referees in Training" are not required to go through our Skating 101 program, but are encouraged to do so in order to improve their skating skills and knowledge of the rules. Please note, referees participate only in the lessons that apply to their required skills (no blocking/hitting), but will learn skills useful to WFTDA referee testing. Referees in Training may also attend any regular league practices to work on skating and referee skills. The next free Training Session for Referees begins September 7th (skater insurance required). To register, contact us at refs @ renegadederbydames .com
Both experienced referees who wish to transfer to RDD as officials, and new referee recruits who wish to learn the skills needed to officiate can apply for league membership using our Online Membership Form.
We also welcome referees who are not league members but who want to officiate with our crew on game day. If you would like to officiate at any of our games, please contact us for more information or to make arrangements.[cite: 1]
For more information, email us at: refs @ renegadederbydames .com
RDD has two classes of Non-Skating Officials (NSOs): League Member NSOs and Game Day NSOs, and we are always looking for more people to fill these roles. We value any and all help that anyone would like to lend to our league, and encourage anyone interested in the sport of roller derby to get involved as much or as little as they have time to do.
Game Day NSOs help out at games and events, filling a specific role during the event.[cite: 1] These jobs are filled on a game by game basis, and do not require any long term commitment to the league. They are a fun way to be involved with roller derby and to support your local league. Skaters who are not playing in a specific game are encouraged to sign up as well. It's a great way to better understand the rules and workings of derby.
Non-skating officials work together with Referees to implement the rules fairly and consistently, and to document games and scrimmages while they occur. These jobs usually require advanced training or certification, but some NSO positions can be taught on game day. New NSOs are paired with experienced officials whenever possible. If you would like to officiate at any of our games, please sign up on our Games page.
League Member NSOs are actively involved in the league and helping to accomplish the goals of the league year round. Their monthly dues are waived, and they are instead granted league membership, including voting rights, by their continuing participation.
Dedicated non-skating officials who are league members participate in our Officials Committee, and work between games to organize and train game day NSOs, help prepare and process game day paperwork, as well as officiate on game days. They might also have a specific league job, such as Head or Assistant-Head NSO. Experienced NSOs (with us or elsewhere), or those wish to train to become a dedicated NSO, and wish to join RDD as Officials can apply for league membership using our Online Membership Form.
For more information, email us at: nsos @ renegadederbydames .com
RDD has two classes of volunteers: League Member Volunteers and Game Day Volunteers, and we are always looking for more people to fill these roles. We value any and all help that anyone would like to lend to our league, and encourage anyone interested in the sport of roller derby to get involved as much or as little as they have time to do.
Game Day Volunteers help out at games and events, filling a specific role during the event. These jobs are filled on a game by game basis, and do not require any long term commitment to the league. They are a fun way to be involved with roller derby and to support your local league.
Game Day Volunteers fill a specific job for a game or event. Available jobs include: Snack Bar, Beer Table, Front Door, Security, Emergency Medical, League Merch, Sound Board, Announcer, and Fundraising. Most jobs do not require experience, with the exception of Announcer, or previous training, with with exception of Emergency Medical, which requires First Responder certification, and Beer Table, which requires SmartServe. If you would like to volunteer for any of our games, please sign upon our Games page.
We also welcome members of the media and both established and upcoming derby photographers. Please contact Media Relations in advance to get credentials for a game or for our whole season.
League member volunteers are actively involved in running the league and helping to accomplish the goals of the league year round. Their monthly dues are waived, and they are instead granted league membership, including voting rights, by their continuing participation.
League Member Volunteers fill a specific job for the league year round, such as event organizers, coaches, volunteer organizers, or media personnel. They are often former skaters, but they are not required to have ever skated, since these are all off-skates jobs. Volunteers who wish to participate in the league at this level should contact our League Membership to become a RDD league member.
For more information, email us at: volunteers @RDD