HCRG HISTORY
Established in January 2006, The Hammer City Roller Girls Inc. (HCRG) is an all female, skater operated, flat track roller derby league based in Hamilton, Ontario. HCRG held its first public game in July 2006, and is currently entering its third full season. In addition to intraleague play, the HCRG home teams and all-star team (the Eh! Team) compete against teams from across Canada and the United States. Presently there are two home teams within the league: the Hamilton Harlots and the Death Row Dames, comprising approximately 30 skaters.
2007 was a year of firsts for the HCRG: we hosted our first full season, played our first interleague games, formed our first all-star team, played our first road game in Mount Laurel, NJ, and competed in our first international tournament, the Fall Brawl in Fort Wayne, IN. In 2008, HCRG continued to grow and build our reputation: we introduced a new team (the Death Row Dames, made up of new recruits and league veterans), celebrated our first tournament victory with the Hamilton Harlots’ win at the Beast of the East in Montreal, QC in April, the Eh! Team had its most competitive season ever, with outings in Toronto, Kalamazoo (MI), Fort Wayne (IN) Chicago (IL) and Buffalo (NY), as well as completing our home season with a spirited game against the Hot Rod Honeys (TX). Over the winter, remaining members of our home team The Steel Town Tank Girls joined our other home teams (the Harlots and Death Row Dames) in an effort to maintain HCRG’s competitive edge, and offer spectators the most exciting intraleague play possible.
The HCRG’s most exciting recent development is our membership in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). We are the second international member of this rapidly expanding organization. WFTDA promotes the growth of women’s flat track roller derby, boasting almost 80 member leagues across North America. As a WFTDA league, the HCRG has the opportunity to help shape the continued growth and development of roller derby – through contributing to the rule set, learning from more established leagues, being eligible for ranking and tournament play, and improving the public image of women’s flat track roller derby in Canada, North America, and the world. For more information visit: www.wftda.com
HCRG COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proceeds from the Hammer City Roller Girls’ 2009 home season will be donated to pre-selected local charitable organizations that support women, children, and youth in our community. Current & recent non-profit partnerships include: Soroptimist Club of Stoney Creek/Niagara, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton, St. Matthews House, Inasmuch House, Health Initiatives for Youth Hamilton (HIFY).
For Mother's Day Massacre III (May 9, 2009) $1 per ticket benefits the Soroptomist Club Stoney Creek-Niagara. Receive a $1.00 discount at the door with donation of a non-perishable food item.
