A Manifesto
In today’s sports world, there is no question that women can play tough, competitive games and that female athletes are looking for opportunities. We, the Omaha Rollergirls, truly understand this need and since our inception in 2006 have made it our mission to provide a means for women to excel – as individuals and as athletes within the sport of roller derby.
And yes, roller derby IS a legitimate full contact sport that is self-organized and all volunteer. We have rules, penalties. It’s not a free-for-all. Our skaters ARE athletes who literally live, breathe and bleed derby – practicing 3-4 times a week for a minimum of two hours each time, ALL year long. With no financial compensation. Juggling the passion of the sport with the demands of our families, jobs and personal lives.
One of the beauties of our sport is it accepts all athletic abilities, sizes and age … as long as you have the heart for the game and can perform when you’re out on the track it doesn’t matter what you look like, how much money you make or what you do for a living. Roller derby can make an athlete of a woman who never thought she could be one. Most importantly we’re a sisterhood. Not just within our own league, but as a greater whole within our sport. No matter where you play … you’re one of us. A roller girl.
No matter what happens – how many fans we get to attend our games or if we win or lose – the Omaha Rollergirls are going to continue to promote athleticism in all realms of roller derby – men, women and youth – within our community. We invite everyone to attend our games, to watch our athletes “skate their hearts out” and welcome the opportunity to fall in love with what truly is the fastest growing professional sport in the world – right here in Omaha.
