Who are BCR?
The Brisbane City Rollers (BCR) is a roller derby league based in Queensland, Australia. It consists of 2 women’s intra-league teams, one women’s travel team, one co-ed travel team and one men’s travel team, which play against teams from other leagues. Established in 2008, BCR was the first and is the oldest co-ed league in Australia.
Initially based in central Brisbane, it relocated to Ipswich and found good practice facilities at the Ipswich Show Grounds, allowing the club to steadily build up a following.
What is Roller Derby?
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of fourteen players, who both field up to five members for each two minute jam, simultaneously skating in the same direction around a track.
Modern roller derby is an international sport dominated by all-female amateur teams, in addition to a growing number of male, co-ed, and junior roller derby teams, and was (as a roller sport) under consideration for the 2020 Summer Olympics. As of 2014 the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), had 243 full member leagues and 114 Apprentice Leagues.
How do you play Roller Derby?
Roller derby is played by two teams with each team designating a scoring player (the “jammer”); the other four members are known as “blockers.” One blocker can be designated as a “pivot” who is allowed to become a jammer in the course of play. The jammer wears a helmet cover bearing two stars while the pivot wears a striped cover; the remaining members’ helmets are uncovered.
The bout is played in two periods of 30 minutes. Point scoring occurs during “jams” which are plays that last up to two minutes. During a jam, points are scored when a jammer on a scoring pass (every pass a jammer makes through the pack after the initial pass) laps members of the opposing team. Each team’s blockers use body contact, changing positions, and other tactics to assist its jammer to score while hindering the opposing team’s jammer. Certain types of blocks and other play tactics can be violations; referees call penalties and require violators to serve time in a penalty box.
What Equipment do I need for Roller Derby?
Players skate on four-wheeled (“quad”) roller skates, and are required to wear protective equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and mouth guards. Further protective apparel is available and subject to individual team rules.