Gainesville Roller Rebels (GRR) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Gainesville, Florida. Founded in 2007, the league consists of a home team and an all star team which competes against teams from other leagues. Gainesville is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
History The league was founded in late 2007 by Catherine Seemann, known as "Ms. Rebel".Dorene Internicola, "Roller Derby: The sisterhood of the skates", Reuters, September 28, 2009 She recruited skaters using a variety of methods, including flyering, posting on MySpace, and talking to friends.Drew Harwell, "Gainesville 'rebels' try to take over roller derby", Independent Florida Alligator, February 25, 2008
By late 2009, the league was playing regularly to crowds of around 400 people, and beat the Tallahassee Rollergirls in an upset.Robert Hilson, "Gainesville Roller Rebels end season on a high note", Gainesville Sun, November 29, 2009
The league was accepted into the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice Program in January 2012,"13 Women's Roller Derby Leagues Join WFTDA Apprentice Program ", WFTDA, January 31, 2012 and it graduated to full membership in December 2012."WFTDA Welcomes 14 New Members ", December 3, 2012
In March 2013, the league debuted in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's rankings at 51,"Current Rankings ", WFTDA, March 15, 2013 the highest entry by a previously unranked team and the first to debut within the top 100.Lex Talionis, "WFTDA Release Rankings; Gotham Shock #1 ", Derby News Network, March 15, 2013
WFTDA rankings
SeasonFinal ranking"Current Rankings", WFTDAPlayoffsChampionship201366 WFTDADNQDNQ2014210 WFTDADNQDNQ2015272 WFTDADNQDNQ2016223 WFTDADNQDNQ
References