CAPE TOWN ROLLERGIRLS’ 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

2024 was an incredible year for Cape Town Rollergirls. We made history by travelling and playing internationally in Spain, we launched a new website, we raised an historic amount of funds, introduced new skate courses and updated a lot of internal processes to help the league run and grow.

See below for the long list – we hope we didn’t forget anything!

• Our new website launched. This has been a great marketing and fundraising tool with E-commerce capabilities, SEO, and sharing profiles.
• Incredibly successful fundraising efforts through the website, events, social media marketing, sharing, donations, raffle-like competitions, and skater profiles
• Fund raised a massive amount to pay for the accommodation and vehicle rentals in Spain for our Iron Meisies
• Skater profile pics were taken and used across a variety of communication
• Home Season: New branding, team selection and three home season bouts!
• Written feedback from senior coaches to Home Season skaters (a first for CTR)
• Hosted 7 successful roller discos!
• 7 official bouts held
• We documented new coaching programmes, created a new Skate Basics manual, and reviewed the Rookie manual
  (CTR did not have documented senior coaching programmes in place so this was a win)
• Organised international coaching with Petit Carnage from Rose City Rollers
• Documented Petit’s coaching
• Optimus Grime & Petit Carnage (two internationally respected skaters and coaches) – we received and utilised input from them to inform coaching decisions
• Senior coaching team was implemented with a collaborative approach
• Encouraged skaters to try out for Team SA
• Our skaters represented over the weekend of Tryouts
• and our skaters submitted video footage for Team SA
• Our skaters made it onto Team SA and the development squad
  A HEARTY CONGRATS TO THESE BOMB ASS SKATERS!
• Berneen (Rock Bottom) was voted in as bench staff for Team SA
• Some of our skaters applied for World Cup NSO positions
• Sorted out the de-registration process on CIPC
• Ensured all tax filings for the periods 2021 to 2024 were filed
• Sorted out banking 
• Created a proper budget for CTR
• Streamlined and updated a skater refund process and forms
• Streamlined CTRs invoicing and accounting system
• Thoroughly catalogued our skate inventory
• Merch: From Pride disco to Spain. We provided a space for CTR “skater made” things on the merch table, including a space for Lu to tattoo.
• Created loads of new merch items – stickers, socks, etc
• Pride disco – we had a drag show!
• Collaborated with ISA Mother City Rollers for half time entertainment
• Organised GCR skaters Di & Megan to join us for two bouts
• Our own Bootcamp at the start of 2024
• Nutrition talk at practice
• PR: magazine and radio and planned podcast
• Additional practices implemented – including Protea and extended practices at Sunningdale
• Endorsed Gay Games 2030 (unfortunately CCT didn’t win the bid)
• Sent out monthly newsletters
• New rookie programme allowing for longer time to develop skills
• New WhatsApp channels, bringing everything for CTR under one space
• We looked at our skater programmes analytically and how it compares to GCR and we’ve started implementing adjustments to ensure best growth and development opportunities for our skaters
• Rigorous selection of the Cape Town Rollergirls travel team was undertaken
• Rebranding of Iron Meisie logo
• Our first International games
• Our first official WFTDA registered rostered team
• Our first official WFTDA ranked games
• & Ranking on the WFTDA website
• Bootcamp with Grime in Spain
• Our biggest Skate Basics intake yet
• Additional “crash course” classes pulled off successfully at the end of the year
• Received and bought new skates and protective gear into kitty
• Okay and a derby proposal and a wedding 🙂

Skater highlights

• Pyro showed UP and off in Spain, winning Best Jammer AND MVP, making us all proud!
• Joan of Anarchy was our most committed Rookie – played her first bout, and practiced with Seniors.
  
• Skaters made it onto the Team SA Squad
• Rock Bottom voted onto Team SA Bench Staff

Watch this space to see which CTR skaters are representing Team South Africa at the Roller Derby World Cup later this year – and what 2025 will bring!