Pioneer Valley Roller Derby
Encyclopedia
Pioneer Valley Roller Derby (PVRD) is a roller derby
league based in Northampton, Massachusetts
. Founded in early 2006, the league was the first in the new flat-track roller derby movement that featured both women's and men's teams.
The league was founded after two friends went to watch Providence Roller Derby
play. The men's team, the Dirty Dozen, was the first flat track men's roller derby team in the U.S. Having male skaters made the league ineligble to affiliate with the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
(WFTDA), the leading organization for flat-track roller derby, although Pioneer Valley Roller Derby does skate to WFTDA rules.
Early members of the league included "Big Vinny's Kid", the daughter of a former roller derby skater.
The men's teams early bouts included one against the referees of Charm City Roller Girls
, and the New York Shock Exchange
's first bout, which Pioneer Valley lost 51-109. Later in 2007, the league worked with these two groups to found the Men's Derby Coalition (MDC). The Dirty Dozen came second in the MDC's 2010 Championship, losing to New York in the final. The MDC subsequently became the Men's Roller Derby Association
(MRDA), and Erich Bennar of Pioneer Valley was elected as its president in 2011. The Dirty Dozen were ranked fifth for the 2011 MRDA Championship, although they lost both their bouts, to finish sixth.
One skater from Pioneer Valley was selected as an alternate for Team France at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup
.
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
league based in Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
. Founded in early 2006, the league was the first in the new flat-track roller derby movement that featured both women's and men's teams.
The league was founded after two friends went to watch Providence Roller Derby
Providence Roller Derby
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 WFTDA...
play. The men's team, the Dirty Dozen, was the first flat track men's roller derby team in the U.S. Having male skaters made the league ineligble to affiliate with the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
Women's Flat Track Derby Association
The Women's Flat Track Derby Association is an association of women's flat track roller derby leagues in the United States. The organization was founded in April 2004 as the United Leagues Coalition but was renamed in November 2005. It is registered in Raleigh, North Carolina as a 501 business...
(WFTDA), the leading organization for flat-track roller derby, although Pioneer Valley Roller Derby does skate to WFTDA rules.
Early members of the league included "Big Vinny's Kid", the daughter of a former roller derby skater.
The men's teams early bouts included one against the referees of Charm City Roller Girls
Charm City Roller Girls
The Charm City Roller Girls is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association WFTDA roller derby league based in Baltimore, Maryland. The league was established in 2005. It is composed of four local teams, one all-star travel team and a B travel team, Female Trouble...
, and the New York Shock Exchange
New York Shock Exchange
The New York Shock Exchange is a men's roller derby league, based in New York City. The league consists of two teams, which bout against teams from other leagues....
's first bout, which Pioneer Valley lost 51-109. Later in 2007, the league worked with these two groups to found the Men's Derby Coalition (MDC). The Dirty Dozen came second in the MDC's 2010 Championship, losing to New York in the final. The MDC subsequently became the Men's Roller Derby Association
Men's Roller Derby Association
The Men's Roller Derby Association is the international governing body of men's flat track roller derby. It was founded in 2007 under the name Men's Derby Coalition, and currently has 18 all-men's leagues under its jurisdiction. MRDA member leagues play using the WFTDA rules with gender-neutral...
(MRDA), and Erich Bennar of Pioneer Valley was elected as its president in 2011. The Dirty Dozen were ranked fifth for the 2011 MRDA Championship, although they lost both their bouts, to finish sixth.
One skater from Pioneer Valley was selected as an alternate for Team France at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup
Roller Derby World Cup
The Roller Derby World Cup is an international women's roller derby tournament organized by Blood & Thunder magazine. Teams of amateur skaters from around the world are fielded to compete for their respective nations. The inaugural 2011 event is being hosted by Toronto Roller Derby, and is being...
.