Steal An Idea

If you frequent this website, it's pretty likely that you're a) obsessed with roller derby to the point of devoting all free resources to it, and therefore b) constantly looking for ways to economize in other areas so you can spend even more money on derby. DerbyLife is here to help.

Editor's Note: With RollerCon right around the corner, and summer practices and outdoor skates filling our calendars, we thought you'd enjoy some tips to keep your water balanced!

A few smoothie recipes that help me keep skating in the Virginia swelter. Even if you’re not drinking to your health- I’ve found that all of these make excellent bases for daiquiris!

Home roasting coffee beans- a cool craft project for your next derby fundraiser!

We all know what it's like to be a grass roots organization. Every member wears many hats, and fundraising is, and should be, a top priority. Here’s an easy and interesting home craft that will wow your team and add interest to your next craft table fundraiser.

Some very clever masterminds at TXRG dubbed this weekend's bout between Texas Rollergirls and Rose City Rollers (of Portland, Oregon) in Austin, TX "Hipster City Showdown." TXRG developed a tumblr around the bout theme, and you may have seen the meme in your facebook feed this week. If you have a few minutes, don't miss the full Hipster City Showdown tumblr. If you're short on time, here are just a few of our favorites:

Roller derby has earned its reputation as being cutting edge. Why, then, are bout themes so painfully unoriginal? I’m the first to admit that Han Solo once gave me a lady boner, but Star Wars? Done. Ninjas? Pirates? Superheroes? Over. And if I see another zombie theme, I am going to feast on the brains of your lame ass bout producers.

So, if your league still insists on a bout theme, feel free to offer one of these fine suggestions:

10. Civil War Hospital

9. Juvenile Diabeatin’

8. Bring Your Own Tapeworm!

7. Kome as Your Favorite Kardashian

Did you keep reading? Good! In the three years that I’ve been involved in the Derbyverse I’ve run into many women who are so much into the empowerment of the mostly female dominated sport that they are quick to pooh-pooh on the MRDA and other men’s leagues. It’s possible that they have little experience with an actual men’s league but the mere thought of men taking away something from us is enough to bunch significant panties.

The newest Five On Five is shipping now! Subscribe, or purchase Issue 15 here. Enjoy this sneak peek at Issue 15!

BY: MERRY KHAOS, HARRISBURG AREA ROLLER DERBY

From Issue 3 of Five On Five, here is a gem from Lorna Boom and Ida Slapter of Rat City Rollergirls, just in time for your league's giant annual supermeeting! Issue 14 of Five On Five is on sale now - don't miss it!

I’m not complaining. Really, I’m not. But sometimes keeping up with all the teams in the South Central can be difficult. I fully admit that I entered into this venture voluntarily, and that any hardship was only brought on by myself. However, I think we can all learn something from this. What I’m hoping is that you improve your online presence, and that this in turn makes my job easier. That way you can make sure that you get all of your important information to as many as people as possible.

In 2007, the focus of all media coverage of roller derby was about how this group of women playing this heavy-hitting sport all have normal lives with “mousy” careers.

A group of us - fans, ex-refs, current-refs in some cases, and other superfans who came out of league volunteering - started writing about roller derby games with sports style reporting. We wanted to show the world how roller derby could be reported on as a sport.