Want to be a Cincinnati Rollergirl? Now’s your chance! We’re holding summer tryouts on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at The Skatin’ Place. Read on for more details!

The Cincinnati Rollergirls will hold summer tryouts on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at The Skatin’ Place, located at 3211 Lina Place, Cincinnati, OH 45239-4122. Doors open at 9:30 a.m and tryouts will start promptly at 10 a.m. There is no charge to try out. Please email recruiting (at) cincinnatirollergirls.com to RSVP for this tryout.
Sorry, tryouts are NOT open to spectators. For media inquiries, please email pr (at) cincinnatirollergirls.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do you hold tryouts?
Tryouts for Cincinnati Rollergirls are held twice in the beginning of the calendar year and once in the summer. A skater must be able to pass a minimum skills test and interview.
How old do I have to be in order to be a member of Cincinnati Rollergirls?
You must be 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, you can join the Cincinnati Junior Rollergirls.
How can I get ready for tryouts?
We encourage prospective skaters to attend a local skating class held at Skatin’ Place on Monday nights that teaches basic skating form and incorporates speed skating and some basic derby skills. This class is not affiliated with the Cincinnati Rollergirls and is open to both men and women. The cost is $5 per class. For more information, call the Skatin’ Place at (513) 522-2424.
You can also get ready by watching our games, getting to know the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rules and liking us on Facebook to keep up with our events and boot camps. You can also volunteer for the team to get to know us and how our league is run. If you’re interested in volunteering, email volunteer (at) cincinnatirollergirls.com.
It’s also very important that you are in decent athletic shape, as roller derby is a sport that takes lots of endurance. Working on cardio and strengthening your quads, glutes and core muscles will help you to be ready for tryouts and reduce risk of injury. Cross training is highly recommended for all of our athletes.
Additionally, there are a numerous skating rinks around the tristate, so hit those open skates! If you can dodge an 8-year-old, you can dodge a rollergirl.
What equipment will I need for tryouts and the Monday night classes?
Every skater is required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, a mouth guard and quad roller skates – no inline skaters. We do not have gear to loan out on Monday nights, but skates are available to rent on Mondays. We do have some gear to loan out at tryouts, but they are not to leave the building. Having your own equipment is highly encouraged. Skateboarding equipment and mouth guards can be found at most sporting goods stores. Skates can be purchased online or through the Skatin’ Place. There is a huge variety of skates and wheels to choose from and skate sizes are VERY different from shoe sizes, so please talk to a Skatin’ Place staff member or a Cincinnati Rollergirl before you buy!
What should I wear for tryouts?
You can wear anything that you would be comfortable working out in, but keep in mind that you will be strapping knee pads over your pants, so jeans are not a good idea. Also, please bring a water bottle, and be sure to eat a good breakfast before you come. We’ll be working hard and you’ll need the energy.
Will I be put on a team if I’m selected at tryouts?
We have three teams that are divided up by skill level: The Black Sheep (A team/varsity squad); the Violent Lambs (B team/junior varsity squad); and the Flock Ewes (C team/rookie team). Skaters are not drafted onto teams for the entire season; rosters can – and do – change from game to game. The Cincinnati Rollergirls is a highly competitive league, and no one is ever guaranteed a spot on any roster. Attendance, service credits and performance during practice are all factors taken into consideration when coaches choose rosters.
Are there a lot of injuries?
Injuries happen, but we work to prevent them with specific training that includes injury-preventative exercises and stretches. Cross training is a great tool to prevent injury. Primary health insurance is strongly encouraged. WFTDA insurance is required to be purchased after passing tryouts, but this is not primary insurance.
What do I need to be able to do at tryouts?
1. Skate 5 laps around the derby track in under 1 minute. No Cincinnati Rollergirl takes more than 50 seconds to skate 5 laps.
2. Perform turn-around toe stops, plow stops and hockey stops.
3. Skate backward.
4. Skate with others by speeding up and slowing down between two CRG skaters and skating around in a “super pack” of skaters.
5. Give and receive derby hits to the inside and the outside of the track.
6. Other:
• Positive attitude
• Basic knowledge of the sport
• Ability to listen and apply new knowledge
• Ability to pick up new skills quickly
• Time commitment and availability
How much of a commitment is required to be a skater?
You will be expected to attend 75% of league practices (held three times per week), work at our games and volunteer at other official events. We are an all-volunteer, skater-run organization, so skaters are required to pay a commitment fee and monthly dues that help to pay for the league’s operational costs. We also require you to obtain a derby job (street team, sponsorship, ticket sales, etc). Despite the time commitment, any skater will tell you that it is completely worth it.
If you don’t think being a skater is the best fit for you right now, there are plenty of other ways to be a part of CRG: You can volunteer to work at our scrimmages and games or become a referee. For more information, email volunteer (at) cincinnatirollergirls.com.
If I have more questions, where do I find information, who do I ask?
Email recruiting (at) cincinnatirollergirls.com!