Fresh Meat
QUESTIONS
FAQ
- How do I learn to play roller derby?
- Do I need to meet any qualifications?
- Where do I get Quad Roller Skates from? And while I'm at it, all the required gear?
- Do I need insurance?
- How much does it cost?
- What do I get for my dues?
- How much time do I have to put into this?
- Attendance: Fresh Meat are required to attend 80% of the Fresh Meat practice times. They are usually once a week, for 2-3 hours.
- Volunteering: Fresh Meat are required to volunteer at 80% of all ToRD games occurring in their time period. Arrangements can be made to make up hours in other ways such as postering, volunteering food, laying the track or many other options!
- I want to be a referee!
- I would like to be a volunteer!
- I want to learn as much as I can beforehand! Derbify my life!
It's a lot of work! You must start at the bottom: Fresh Meat. ToRD runs a 20-week long Fresh Meat training program, with sessions approximately once a week on the weekend. Toronto Roller Derby is a member of the Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and follows the current revision of the WFTDA rule set. All trainees are required to learn the rules.
At the conclusion of the training, there is a physical on-skates test and a written rules test.
All we require is a commitment to the sport, and diligence in paying your monthly dues. Fresh Meat in the past have been ex-hockey skaters, ex-rugby players, ex-couch potatoes - it doesn't matter what background you have, as long as you are willing to learn how to skate on Quad Roller Skates, and push yourself! You must be 19 years old to play with Toronto Roller Derby. Although if you are under 18, you can check Toronto Junior Roller Derby!
Toronto is blessed to have brick and mortar Roller Derby Store! Rollerbug is based out of Cardinal Skate Company and authentic derby girls work there! So you can try on your skates and ask your questions at the same time! Required gear includes skates, knee-pads, wrist-guards, elbow-pads, a mouth guard and a helmet, all of which are available from Rollerbug. To help you get the right gear, they also have fresh meat packages available for purchase.
Yes. Insurance can be obtained through ToRD, and costs $45 per year
Fresh meat costs are $30 a month. Once you graduate from the program and join the D-VAS or are drafted to a team, dues increase to $50.
Toronto is lucky to have a location such as the one that we have. We have a dedicated crew of people looking out for the well being of our venue to best suit the skaters. Fresh meat get to skate in this venue once a week.
On the Farm Team you are allowed to join in league practice, and rotate through house team practices. League practice is run by our Training committee who always strives to be as up to date with Roller Derby training as possible. Each practice is tailored to a specific goal, and is run by experienced skaters. Toronto Roller Derby is also privy to awesome events, such as hosting the Roller Derby World Cup, Blood and Thunder Training Camps, as well as many more well known trainers.
There are specific attendance and volunteer requirements to remain in good standing as a member of fresh meat.
Whether you skate for the farm team, a home team or the all-star team there are varying levels of commitment, but you are still required to make designated practices and volunteer for the league at games, or join and participate in a committee.
Please email zebras@torontorollerderby.com for more information on Ref and NSO training.
Please email volunteer@torontorollerderby.com for more information on being a volunteer.
Toronto Roller Derby - you're here now! Good start!
ToRD.tv - Footage, interviews, previews/recaps and highlights from all ToRD bouts since 2010.
Layer9 - Trackside footage taken by our very own Mr. Force!
The Derby Nerd - Previews, insight, analysis of the world of roller derby.
WFTDA - Official website of the World Flat Track Derby Association.
Derby News Network - For EVERYTHING derby. Everywhere. DNN.