Roller derby itself can be attributed to what started as Multi-Day Roller Skating Marathons, dating back as early as 1914.  Knowing a good idea when they saw it, promoter, Leo Seltzer and sports writer, Damon Runyan developed the sport of roller derby as we know it: A full contact, aggressive sport on roller skates.  Beginning in the early 1930's, the holy word of, "Roller Derby" quickly spread throughout the nation via newspapers, radio and television broadcasts.

What started as a viable, full contact sport, eventually collapsed under the pressure to "fake" scenerios, of which drew the crowds in by the hundrededs.  Comparable to a modern day WWE wrestling match, roller derby was becoming a joke, and by the mid 1970's, America was losing interest.  Roller derby seemed to fade away, and no one seemed to notice . . .

That is until the early 2000's, when self-professed promoter, "Devil Dan", with a gleam in his eye, helped to organize a rag-tag group of women who would later call themselves, "Bad Woman Good Woman Productions".  Miscommunications and disagreements within the organization caused the women to split ties and form yet another league known as the, "Texas Roller Girls."  Little did they know that their petty rival would spawn Womens Flat Track Roller Derby that inspired hundreds of leagues around the world to follow suit.

In order to develop a consistent set of rules and regulations, members from the Texas Roller Girls formed the WFTDA (Womens Flat Track Derby Association).  This organization has become the industry standard for the majority of leagues around the world.  Although many forms of roller derby continue to thrive (mens, co-ed, old school . . .), the WFTDA standard is still the most recognized.

Today, you can find more than 390 leagues world-wide.  Michigan alone houses six different leagues, each with their own number of teams.  Roller derby is known for its all female, D.I.Y. style: Made for the skaters, by the skaters. 

The Flint City Derby Girls are just one of the many leagues found internationally that share a deep love for this hugely inspirational sport.