FoCo Roller Derby’s rebrand represents inclusiveness, athleticism and local community

At the helm of its tenth season, FoCo Roller Derby, formerly FoCo Girls Gone Derby, is rebranding! Not only has the sporting organization changed its name to reflect the inclusive nature of the sport and our league but also the visual representations — from the logo to the website — have undergone an overhaul.

ON THE LEAGUE’S NAME CHANGE:

As we celebrate a decade of roller derby in Fort Collins, our upcoming season will redefine the future by supporting gender neutrality in sport participation. FoCo Roller Derby is proud to announce the decision to drop the gender-specific “girls” from the league’s namesake.

We are a fiercely dedicated group of athletes and volunteers who love the sport of roller derby, and we want our league name and branding to represent athleticism, community and inclusion.

Many within the Fort Collins community are proud of its association with ambers, ales, hops, stouts, lagers and breweries as well as its proximity to the Rocky Mountains within the state of Colorado. Our league is honored to be from Fort Collins, and this shows in the presentation of our logo and the name of our all-star travel team: the Micro Bruisers.

Our skaters, officials and league management have no reservations about the update, and they believe it is more representative of the roller derby community in Colorado. The name change is one step towards creating a welcoming and safe environment for current and future skaters, officials, volunteers and fans, regardless of their ethnicity, heritage, age, sexual orientation or gender. Further, our league is inclusive of all transgender, genderqueer and all non-binary members.

“The sport of roller derby has evolved over the last decade since its rebirth. It is no longer a series of exhibitions with fishnets and elbows. Instead, it is a game of fierce athleticism and strategy. Its members are strong, supportive and varied individuals who spend countless hours working as a team on and off the track. We are proud of our growth and inclusiveness and celebrate that with our new identity.”
— Tracey Bjick ~ roller derby alias: 98 Pounds of Steel ~ league president and head of athletics

“Roller derby is a sport for all size athletes. All you need is determination and good sports-person-ship.”
— Jerica Martin ~ roller derby alias: Urrk’n Jerkin ~ co-head coach

“The roller derby community has always been a place where people are allowed just to be themselves. As officials, we are proud to be affiliated with a league that chose an identity that represents all of us, as well the culture and values of the sport we love so much.”
— Coleen Elliott ~ roller derby alias: Lezlie Nope ~ head non-skating official and web manager

FoCo Roller Derby would like to thank the leagues before us who created a safe space for gender-inclusive sporting organizations. For more information, visit Derby Central: What’s in a name?

ON THE LEAGUE’S NEW MARKETING INITIATIVES:

Check out the league’s refurbished website at www.focorollerderby.org. The awesomely interactive virtual experience has a clean, fresh look with up-to-date information on roller derby, sports training, the league and other content. Learn more about your favorite FoCo athlete, read the blog or view bout photographs.

Additional tenth-anniversary initiatives:

• Recreation league options
• Increase level of competitive gameplay
• Community outreach, working with several area non-profits

Get involved during this historic season:

• Learn more at an upcoming recruitment meeting
• Text PLAYDERBY to 22828 or go to http://bit.ly/JoinFoCo to sign-up for recruitment updates
• To learn more about becoming an official, please email [email protected].
• To volunteer or join a committee, please email [email protected].
• To apply to be a non-profit partner, please email [email protected]

Don’t miss our upcoming events!

1. Saturday, March 12, 2016: 10th Anniversary Throwback: Heroes vs. Villains
   Join us for a special celebration of the start of our tenth season for a throwback game: Heroes vs Villains! Can the heroes defend justice in Fort Collins? Or will the Villains claim victory?
2. Saturday, June 25, 2016: Pride and Powerjams
   What’s this roller derby? Come and check out! Each and every age, gender and background is just perfect for roller derby.
3. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016: Annual Black & Blue Ball
   Cheer on your home teams of FoCo as they face-off, prom-style to jostle, juke, and jam their way through the pack.
4. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016: Annual Salt n’ Pepper
   The officials hang up their whistles for this final bout of the season to join players together as Team Salt & Team Pepper in a full-contact mixed roller derby game!

View more at our 2016 Calendar

FoCo Roller Derby promotes and fosters the sport of flat-track roller derby through athleticism, sportspersonship, inclusion and empowerment of its skaters, officials, staff and volunteers.FoCo Roller Derby seeks to be a catalyst for improving self-confidence, health, well-being, leadership, life skills and community.FoCo Roller Derby — Northern Colorado’s first roller derby league — has been dishing out hip checks since January 2006. Visit www.focorollerderby.org to learn more about the league, its mission and its commitment to fitness, unity, community and pride.