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GRR IN THE NEWS

2024

Black and white photo of the Gainesville Roller Rebels skating in a bout
Photo of the Gainesville Roller Rebels courtesy of Vermillion Visions.
  • Roller Rebels looking for tenants to support practice space – The Gainesville Roller Rebels (GRR), a roller derby league in Gainesville, Florida, has been a constant presence in the community since 2007, promoting athleticism and empowerment. However, they have faced ongoing challenges in finding suitable skating spaces for practice and games, and their recent practice space, the Gainesville Bridge, is at risk of closure due to a lack of support, prompting the league to seek alternative options and community support. The Gainesville Iguana. January/February 2024, page 32.

2023

ROLLER REBELS FIRST HOME BOUT MLK CENTER. Screenshot of youtube video
The Roller Rebels walk onto the track for their first bout of the 2023 season at the MLK center.
  • Talk Derby to Me – Forget everything you think you know about roller derby. Despite being an intense, fast-paced, full-contact sport between two opposing teams who score points while attempting to keep their balance on  skates, it’s not the knock-down, drag-out brawl it’s often exaggerated to be. Our Town Magazine. August/July 2023.
  • Gainesville Roller Rebels get around  – “Spectators were still making their way in as the Gainesville Roller Rebels (GRR) and the Sugar Sands finished their warm-ups and demonstrated a jam for newcomers at a recent matchup. Although they had arrived almost four hours early to build a floor to skate on, the roller derby players were energized, wearing flashy, customized outfits built around team jerseys and bright makeup. ” Main Street Daily News. August 23, 2023.
  • Reptile Report Season 0 5 Ep 5 (jump to GRR) – “A few weeks ago reptile reports Julie Katzen introduced us to the Gainesville roller derby team as they prepared for the upcoming season after four years off of the track. Now the roller derby season has finally begun and the Gainesville Roller Rebels could not be more excited to get back on their skates!” Reptile Report Season 05 Episode 05. April 27, 2023.

2021

Gainesville Roller Rebels All Stars pose as a team
The Roller Rebels All-Stars pose for a team picture after a win during their 2019 season
  • Gainesville Roller Rebels stay afloat amid pandemic (archive) – “The moment the Roller Rebels are cleared to practice again — or have their first bout — will be surreal. Tobias believes when they are skating again she’ll drop to her knees in disbelief because it’s been almost a year since they’ve been together.” The Independent Florida Alligator. February 4, 2021.

2020

G.R.R. Charity Coordinator Jackie stands next to a student holding a laptop donated by the Computers for Kids program.
GRR Charity Coordinator Jackie stands with a student holding a laptop donated by the Computers for Kids program
  • Four wheels makes a family: Gainesville Roller Rebels focus on inclusion (archive) – “Although COVID-19 has disrupted their seasons since March, teams around the world, including the Gainesville Roller Rebels, have shifted their focus from winning bouts to giving back to the community.” The Independent Florida Alligator. October 25, 2020.
  • Program helps get much-needed laptops to families (archive) – Because of the pandemic, the Roller Rebels had to scrap its summer roller derby plans, which included a T-shirt sale to raise money for the team; however, team members decided to continue the sale and donate the proceeds to Computers for Kids. The Gainesville Sun. May 23, 2020

2019

Hillary Buscovick, a 31-year-old professional roller derby skater, works with Lizz Zieschang, 28, to demonstrate blocking techniques at a workshop for local skaters at the Alachua County Fairgrounds on Saturday
Scald Eagle at the January 14 workshop

2018

GRR Derby 101 on the news
Gainesville Roller Rebels August "Derby 101" session

2017

Cat Clifford a.k.a. Bootyvicious is interviewed by WUFT
Cat Clifford a.k.a. Bootyvicious is interviewed by WUFT

2016

Cecile Gotteland blocks Rosie D. Ribspltter at practice
  • Applicants do a bang-up job at Roller Rebels’ Recruitment Day (archive) – “Ready to roll with the punches, attendees don donated shoes and lots of padding to tryout for the the “fresh meat” division of the Gainesville Roller Rebels, in which they will learn the do’s and don’ts that go into roller derby.” The Gainesville Sun. September 25, 2016
  • Women’s Movement (archive) – Whether it be the sweatiness of the Gainesville Roller Rebels, Alachua County’s first and only competitive women’s flat track roller derby league, or the scrappiness of the Florida Ultimate Elite Ladies, UF’s Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team. “Pleasant,” as Sigler said, or aggressive, what unites all these women is the power of the relationships they build while learning to rely on their teammates and learning to trust themselves. The Fine Print. April 17, 2016

2015

Angrilla RX8 waits patiently on the “penalty bench” before she can rejoin her team and finish the round, or “jam” at the Gainesville Fairgrounds on Feb. 7

2014

Patti Smithereens jams against Hard Knox Roller Girls
  • Roller Rebels with a Cause, on Skates (archived version only) – Noel Neff visits with the Rebels. The Roller Rebels are members of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which has six leagues in Florida and 202 leagues worldwide. The flat-track sport was re-introduced in 2 y afternoon, rock ’em-sock ’em theatrical roller derby played on banked, wooden tracks. 000 and quickly caught on with a younger audience not familiar with the old days of Saturday afternoon, rock ’em-sock ’em theatrical roller derby played on banked, wooden tracks. Gainesville Observed. July 1, 2014
  • Roller Rebels Roll On (archive) – On Saturday, the Gainesville Roller Rebels, Gainesville’s first and only competitive women’s flat-track roller derby league, battled the Fort Myers Derby Girls at the Alachua County Fairgrounds in the first home game of the summer. The Independent Florida Alligator. June 19, 2014

2013

Shannon Sisco, “Sisco Inferno”, of The Gainesville Roller Rebels Swamp City Sirens touch the hands of fans after winning 293 to 122 against the Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls
Sisco Inferno touchs the hands of fans after winning against the Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls

2012

Members of the Roller Rebels compete in a recent bout
Members of the Roller Rebels compete in a recent bout
GRR took on the South Florida Roller Girls on Aug. 11
GRR took on the South Florida Roller Girls on Aug. 11

2011

GRR poses with a banner that says "Gainesville Roller Rebels Womens Flat Track Roller Derby" next to the bull gator statue on the University of Florida campus
Gainesville Roller Rebels pose with a banner at the Bull Gator statue on the University of Florida Campus

2010

Zelda Shagnasty enjoys herself in the rush of skating during the team’s recruitment night
Zelda Shagnasty enjoys herself in the rush of skating during the team’s recruitment night on July 7
  • Hometown tourist (archive) – “Move over, UF football players. The women of the Gainesville Roller Rebels show their toughness and athleticism with this extreme sport, which came to Gainesville in 2007.” The Gainesville Sun. September 26, 2010
  • Roller Rebels recruiting session promotes camaraderie (archive) – “In derby with your teammates, there’s no such thing as TMI,” she said. “We play together, get hit together, win and lose together.” The Independent Florida Alligator. July 14, 2010
  • Roller Derby raises funds for kids (archive) – A portion of the proceeds from Sunday’s game went to benefit Manatee Children’s Services, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse. Bradenton Herald. April 10, 2010

2009

GRR competes against the Beach Brawl Skater Dolls
Alternative sports offer fun, novel fitness opportunities. GRR playing a bout
Alternative sports offer fun, novel fitness opportunities

2008

A Jacksonville RollerGirl blocks Gainesville Roller Rebels' Lil Mamma Jamma as she attempts to score a point at the Saints vs. Sinners roller derby game
A Jacksonville RollerGirl blocks Gainesville Roller Rebels' Lil Mamma Jamma as she attempts to score a point at the Saints vs. Sinners roller derby game

PRESS RELEASES

Gainesville Roller Rebels Logo
  • Roller derby team gears up to take on Tallahassee
    July 17, 2012; (PDF)
  • Roller Rebels kick off summer bouts with tough matchup against Fort Myers
    May 30, 2012; (PDF)
  • Gainesville Roller Rebels set eyes on national stage
    September 14, 2011; (PDF)
  • Local team wants derby to be Gainesville’s “other” favorite sport
    October 17, 2011; (PDF)
  • Roller derby team makes giving back a priority
    October 31, 2011; (PDF)

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