The Long Island Roller Rebels (LIRR) are a women's flat track roller derby league based on Long Island, New York. Founded in 2005,[1] the league currently consists of two teams which compete against teams from other leagues. Long Island Roller Rebels is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[2]
History and organization
Long Island Roller Rebels was founded as the "Rockabetty Bruisers"[3] in mid-2005 by Lauren "Captain Morgan" Madonia and seven others.[4][5] Aided in its early days by members of Gotham Girls Roller Derby,[6] Long Island's first official game was held in February 2006.[4] LIRR was announced as a new member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in May 2007.[7] They were early members of the WFTDA, competing in the East Region.[8]
The league's travel teams have participated in interleague bouts against teams across the east coast of the United States, reaching as far as Maine.[1] By 2009, their intraleague bouts were attracting around 350 to 400 fans to their regular venue, in Old Bethpage, New York, many of whom had previously watched banked track games.[9] Their 2010 season featured a tournament involving twelve teams from New York State,[10]
In 2011, the Roller Rebels competed in the East Coast Derby Extravaganza,[11] and also played a bout at the Men's Roller Derby Association Championships, which were held in their Old Bethpage rink.[12]