Roller Derby is a full-contact sport, played between two teams of womxn on quad roller-skates in an anti-clockwise race.
Each team comprises maximum 15 players, with up to five at a time on the track for each ‘jam’ that lasts up to two minutes. The ‘jammers’, who are the scoring players, identified with a star on their helmets, work their way through the ‘pack’ made up of ‘blockers’ and a ‘pivot’ player (stripe on helmet) from each team. The blockers’ objective is to assist their own jammer through the pack and to prevent the opposing jammer from scoring points.
The jammers need to legally passed through the pack before she can start scoring points. Jammers score a point for every opposing skater she passes, and the first jammer to break through earns the ‘Lead Jammer’ status. Jams are up to two minutes long, unless ended by the lead jammer, who calls it off by repeatedly placing her hands on her hips. Jams are played 30 seconds after one another until the ‘period’ is up. Two periods make up the entire match, known as the ‘bout’, and the team with the most points at the end, wins.
Skaters may land up in the penalty box for 30 seconds for performing illegal moves.
The rules are enforced and games are run by the referees and the Non-Skating Officials (NSOs) who manage time keeping, scoring and the penalty box.
Our League
ALL STARS – IRON MEISIES
The Iron Meisies are the Cape Town Rollergirls ALL-STAR team. The team comprises the best roller derby skaters from our home teams, the Sirens and Krakens. Only senior Skaters can be assessed to trial for the Iron Meisies squad and those assessments happen once a year.
This year, the Iron Meisies travelled to Spain in October and played teams in Madrid and Malaga.
CAPE TOWN COURT MARSHALS
If you love to skate, love the sport, but the contact is just not for you – join our ref squad. The Cape Town Court Marshals run all of our roller derby games and practice with us. Their job on track is to call for penalties when skaters perform illegal moves and to ensure the game follows the standards set by Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
Home Teams
Senior level A & B Skaters get placed into home teams. Home season comprises of home teams playing bouts against one another. 2024 season ended in June. But don’t worry – you can still come watch roller derby in action. Check out our event page to see when our next match is. 2025 home season coming soon.