Ever since "Whip-It" brought derby to people who otherwise would've had no reason to know about it, the sport has been tearing up tracks all over North America. With leagues popping up all across Canada, in small towns and big cities alike, it's getting easy to see great derby anywhere. If you live in Vancouver, then you're lucky enough to have your very own league to cheer for. The Terminal City Roller Girls have been around for just over 5 years, expanding and growing at an incredible rate. Just this year they added a fourth house team and secured multiple dates at the PNE Forum, a slight step-up from Minoru Arena in Richmond and Kerrisdale Arena in, where else, Kerrisdale. With a DIY, yet professional feel, this non-profit player run organization manages to bring a broad spectrum of fans to their bouts. A mixture of tongue-in-cheek sass and incredible athleticism, the Terminal City Roller Girls have something for everyone to cheer for. The Bad Reputations - Sporting Teal and lightning bolts like it's going out of style, these Joan Jett inspired rockers are the defending champs, three years in a row! This season, everyone is talking about who's taking down the trophy. If the Bad Reps have anything to say about it, that conversation will end real quick. The Faster Pussy Cats - If you like your victims scratched to death, cult classic films from the 70's and sequined purple hot pants, then the FPC are your team. Just remember, whether in the stands or the beer garden, FPC fans cheer from the Litter Box. Public Frenemy - The newest addition to the TCRG roster, Public Frenemy is coming straight ouf of Compto...er...Vancouver. With orange, green and attitude, this hip-hop inspired crew comprised of rookies and select veterans will have you twisting your head to keep up with their speedy jammers. Riot Girls - Camo? Tanks? That shoot? Smoke? Trash can lids and baseball bats? I think the description should be fairly self-evident. The Riot Girls are not a team to be messed with. Fresh off a rebuilding year, the Riot Girls are going to be an exciting team to watch this season. And as if THAT weren't enough, the TCRG also has their travel team, the All-Stars. read more

My first bout was the free exhibition they did at Robson Square at the end of last summer and I was hooked! But since the season was over I couldn't get my fix... until now. Last night's season opener at the Kerrisdale Arena with the Faster Pussycats v Atomic City (from Tri-Cities, WA) and the Bad Reputations v Riot Girls was the most exciting sporting event I've ever been to. The Bad Rep/Riot Girl grudge match was a rematch of the past two championship bouts and the crowd was electric. Derby is back with this real (not staged), competitive, action packed, player owned and operated league! read more

I went to my first derby bout in April of 2011. I was hooked almost instantly. The crowd was big and raucous, the music was loud and the girls gave their all. In the second bout of the night, the Faster Pussycats blew my mind. They came out to Don't Stop Believing by Journey and did a pinwheel which got everyone on their feet cheering. Then, Amazombie amazed and thrilled me with her jamming, squirting through holes that looked impossible to get through. I had to have more derby. I went to every single bout I could find, which meant travelling to Squamish, Surrey, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and of course here in Vancouver. Roller derby is not merely in Vancouver, there are leagues and teams liberally spread around the province. I believe that there are approximately 40 teams playing in BC now. This season has been just as exciting and thrill packed. I'm looking forward to a bout in August where the TCRG All-Stars will be playing a team coming up all the way from Texas to play. That should be a great test and provide great entertainment. One of the best parts of derby for me is, during the play the girls give it their all, competing intensely, between jams though, you're just as liable to see them dancing and having a blast with their new friends. At the end of the bout the ritual is for the winning team to take a lap with high-fives all around, followed by the the other team. Then, a big, joyous clump of roller-girls, refs and coaches in the team photos. Every single roller-girl that I've met has been nothing but nice and easy to talk too. I highly recommend coming to a bout and giving it a look. I'm sure that you'll come away converted to a derby fan. read more

What a great night! Went to see the roller derby at Kerrisdale Arena and had an awesome night. I love the fact that this event is family friendly but still has a beer garden for those who like a beer or two. All the ladies were dressed up and looking fine. The crowd was made up of some of the nicest folks in Vancouver! The event itself was very exciting to watch, especially the last match between Faster Pussycats and Atomic City. I will for sure be checking roller derby out again in the near future. read more

This weekend Gareth and I went to our first Roller Durby together. I will be honest, I only knew about Roller Durby 'cause of the movie "Whip It." I started attending more events around the city that had reps from Roller City Terminal Girls around that same time. I guess you can say that Roller Durby was in my face...or rather skates were in my face. We had been planning to go for some time, however, got side tracked with other things along the way. I finally bought tickets for the June 9th double header. Even though the technical glitch with their scanning terminal left me impatient, I thought that the workers and volunteers who were more frustrated, handled it well. I was afraid of missing the any part of the event. Especially being my first time, I wanted the whole experience. I appreciated the whole DIY yet pro feel and production to the event that created a somewhat cult vibe that worked well. It was a good atmosphere. Everyone was nice. The concession stand can be long, best to go during the last period and take it home with you. When we arrived there was a Dougie Dog truck outside, eatery on my bucket list. I was unable to eat anything as I am on a cleanse, however, will hit this up next time. The price was fair for two games. A lot of action. Holy sh*t these girls have talent. I love their names, they make me smile. Even though these chicks look like someone you don't want to get in a fight with at a bar, I talked to some of them who were super sweet and kind. read more

I went to a roller Derby match last year when a friend took me there as his friend was one of the players. At the event the people were nice and explained the rules to me, and I talked with the players afterwards who also were very nice. What I did not like was the fact that I was standing for 4 hours. To drink you need to goto the beer garden up top, which is behind some glass and theres almost no seating in there, with lots of people. The crowd of people who attended this event, while friendly, was mostly hipsters who were friends of a friend to most of the players. The place was 80% LGBT, which I was not expecting. Nothing against LGBT people, as I have individuals as friends myself, but their scene is not my scene. I don't have any interest in tattoos or piercings, which this place had lots of. As for the sport itself.... It looked pretty fun, but I grew tired of watching it quickly. If I had an opportunity to try out roller derby myself, I would be interested in that. (I'm not sure why it's a women dominated sport?). I'm not interested in watching another game, however If you are curious as to what its all about, I would still recommend you give it at least a try, because while some of my friends who went with me were in the same boat, others seemed to like it. read more

The last few events of the 2010 season have been held at Minoru Arena in Richmond. Decent venue. Concession was a bit of a lineup the entire night so we opted not to spend time in the line and instead enjoy the show we came to see. The set up of lighting and cameras and electronics was very well done. It is obvious that a lot of work goes into the production of these shows. Top Notch. Then there's the matches. Non-stop excitement. These girls have some serious skill and are real entertainers. Count me in as a brand new fan - already excited about the prospect of next year's season. read more

Sexy chicks in fishnets and roller skates beating the hell out of each other. I dare anyone - male, female, gay, straight - to tell me that's not flipping awesome. read more

These gals are fantastic. Some of the best roller derby in Canada is right here in Vancouver.

After a rockin' end to the TCRG season, I gotta hand these gals 5 stars. I can barely walk in heels, never mind skate in lycra short shorts and fishnets, and these girls can take a few hip checks and dish some back while racking up mad points. Good times, my friends, good times. read more

i love derby. tcrg make my life better everyday.