Providence Roller Derby

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Providence Roller Derby logo

Providence Roller Derby or PRD was established in 2004 and is the first all-female, flat-track roller derby league in New England. It is the only roller derby league in Rhode Island. In 2006, PRD was ranked 8th in the nation and 4th on the East Coast by the WFTDA. In June of 2007, Providence slipped in rank by 4 to be ranked 12th^[1]. It is also affiliated with the United States Roller Sports Federation^[2].

Sarah Kingan, whose derby name is Doom, and is number 4.0, a Brown University alumnus, established Providence Roller Derby in 2004^[3]. She originally trained with Tucson Roller Derby while on an internship in Tucson, AZ. After moving back to New England she started the league. New skaters were recruited and trained for over a year before creating teams and public bouting^[4]. The first two teams were the Providence Mob Squad and the Sakonnet River Roller Rats. PRD's first bout was in May 2005. The derby girls on the Providence team range in age from 18 to 43^[5].

In the league's second season, 2006, they introduced a third team, the Old Money Honeys^[6]. The Old Money Honeys lost their first game of the season but ended up winning the season championship.

In 2007's season, The Mob Squad reigned undefeated and won the championships.

PRD's travel team is the Rhode Island Riveters. The team began to scheduled more inter-league games in 2006 than in 2005 and won a match against the Gotham Girls of New York City. They lost to the Carolina Rollergirls in Raleigh, NC

PRD holds practices in Narragansett in the winter months and outside at the Bank of America Skating Center in the summers. ^[7]. PRD also skates against the Boston Derby Dames about once a month in a casual scrimmage.

Providence Roller Derby plays outdoors, downtown, in the heart of the city during the summer. PRD has the support of the Mayor and the city. The league makes a concerted effort to be involved in and support community events and local businesses by making appearances, marching in parades, and having fundraisers. PRD is always recruiting new skaters and refs, and sponsors!