Mission and History

Mission

New Hampshire Roller Derby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit sports organization that promotes women’s athleticism while giving back to the local community.

As a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), all of NHRD’s competitors identify as women. People of any gender are welcome and encouraged to participate as referees, non-skating officials, volunteers, and spectators. NHRD supports the greater Manchester, NH community through donations, volunteer work, and partnerships with a variety of other nonprofit organizations.

 

League History

  • 2007
    • July: the Skate Free or Die! Rollergirls formed
    • November: the league incorporated as a non-profit LLC named New Hampshire Roller Derby
  • 2008
    • Month unknown: first scrimmage, played against the Killah Bees of Providence, RI
    • September: first home game, played against Maine Roller Derby
  • 2009
    • First full season with four home games: undefeated at home
    • All-Stars competed in Delaware, Montreal (Canada), New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island
    • September: accepted into the WFTDA Apprentice Program
  • 2010
    • League exceeded 70 active members
    • Added the Queen City Cherry Bombs (B travel team) and two home teams (the Seabrook Meltdowns and the Granite Skate Troopers)
    • June: inducted into the WFTDA as a full member league
  • 2011
    • Added the Nightmares on Elm Street as a home team
    • February: first sanctioned bout (for WFTDA ranking) against Montreal Roller Derby
  • 2013
    • Became a Class A WFTDA league
    • Formed a recreational team, the Millyard Misfits
    • September: All-Stars qualified for and received an invitation to the WFTDA Division I Playoff Tournament in Richmond, VA
    • December: became a member of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
    • Ranked 35 of 176 on December 31
  • 2014
    • Ranked 44 of 225 on December 31
  • 2015
    • Rebranded NHRD
    • Renamed the Skate Free or Die All-Stars to the NH Roller Derby All-Stars
    • Ranked 243 of 275 on December 31
  • 2016
    • Added the Cheap$kates as a C travel team
    • June: Cheap$kates played debut game against Monadnock Roller Derby
    • Ranked 271 of 320 on December 31
  • 2017
    • Membership shifted from mainly veteran skaters to mostly new skaters
    • Withdrew from WFTDA rankings
    • Reinstated two home teams (the Nightmares on Elm Street and the Granite Skate Troopers) and reduced to one travel team (the All-Stars)
  • 2018
    • Membership increased
    • Returned to WFTDA’s international rankings
    • Competed only as the NH Roller Derby All-Stars
    • Ranked 352 of 352 on December 31
  • 2019
    • Competed as the NH Roller Derby All-Stars and the NH Cherry Bombs (A & B Travel Teams)
    • Ranked 329 moving up 20 spots from 2018