Skater FAQs
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions for those new to the league.
The weather is nasty – has practice been cancelled?
The BoD will make the decision to cancel practice no later than 5pm on a weeknight, or the night before on the weekend. There will be a post to the KCRW Proboard. You can also call the league phone – a special message will play if practice is cancelled.
What time is my team’s practice on Sunday?
Check the KCRW Google calendar or contact your home team Captain.
How do I find out more about league events?
Check the KCRW Google calendar, our website, or social media outlets. You may also check with Events or Charity.
I know someone who wants to sponsor KCRW. What do I do?
Ask them if you can give their contact information to the head of the sponsorship committee.
I have a friend who wants to come practice with us. Is that OK?
KCRW practices are closed during the regular season. Only active WFTDA skaters who have passed the scrimmage eligibility test may participate in league practice. Any participation in home team practices must be approved in advance by the Captain. All other skaters please refer to Wreck League.
I know someone who is a photographer and they want to come take pictures at practice. Is that OK?
Possibly. Discuss the particulars with a BoD member. Practices are closed to visitors except with advanced permission.
I have a friend who wants to help out the league but doesn’t want to skate. Who should they talk to?
If they would like to assist with bout day activities, contact the Director of Production or the Production Committee heads. For all other ideas or volunteer options, talk to a BoD member.
I hurt myself during practice. What do I do?
You are required to fill out Accident and Injury forms within 7 days. Reference the Insurance and Injury Policy.
I know someone who skates with another league and wants to come practice with us. What do they need to do?
Active WFTDA skaters who have passed the scrimmage eligibility test are welcome to join league practices. They must sign a waiver and have proof of personal insurance. Reference the Visiting Skater Policy.
I have an idea about a charity KCRW should support. Who do I talk to?
Talk with the Charity Committee Head. Understand that each year, KCRW tries to focus charitable work to make a strong impact for a few organizations. Think ahead for your charity to possibly benefit in the following year.
Someone asked me if KCRW skaters could make an appearance at an event. What do I tell them?
Do not make any promises. Talk with the OCC Committee Head first. Paid appearances are a part of our sponsorship packages and we do not give this away for free. However, some events may be mutually beneficial & not require sponsorship.
I have an idea about KCRW posters and artwork. Who do I talk to?
Talk with the OCC Committee Head, Creative Design Co-Head or Director of Marketing.
I think something should be changed on the website. What do I do?
Talk with the Website Committee Head or Director of Marketing.
Someone wants to interview me for a news story. Is that OK and what should I say?
Sure! Be sure to talk with some of the veterans to be comfortable. Talk to the OCC Committee Head for ideas and reference the media talking points found in this handbook. You can be yourself, but KCRW also wants to send a consistent message to the public.
Do I get to sign autographs?
Yes! You will be assigned a bout to officially sign autographs, but feel free to sign autographs anytime by our fans.
If I move away, can I still play derby?
Look into transferring. Most WFTDA leagues have a transfer policy welcoming those from other WFTDA leagues. Each league has their own rules.
I had a disagreement with another skater and its grown into a big problem. What do I do?
Talk to a council rep, either from your own team or another. One of the roles of council is to mediate issues between skaters.
A fan has been harassing me. What do I do?
Bring it to the attention of the BoD or council immediately. Do not try to handle it alone.
I think the refs are out to get me. They call penalties on me all the time. What do I do?
Remember the refs are doing a job & do not take penalties personally. Talk to your captain if you think there is a genuine problem.
I want to play on one of the travel teams. How do I do that?
Watch for information about tryouts. Tryouts are held for each travel team about twice a season.
I can’t afford to pay my dues this month. Can I still skate?
Talk to the dues manager about making arrangements for paying dues. While dues are to be paid monthly, the league understands financial difficulties can arise. However, being behind on dues will result in ineligibility to be rostered in home bouts and skating @ practice if a balance over $70 is owed.
I lost my personal insurance. Can I still skate?
No. There are no exceptions to this requirement and it is for everyone’s personal safety. A skater may not skate at practice nor at bouts without current and active primary insurance.
What is the best equipment (skates, pads, helmets, etc)? Where do I find it?
Talk to your fellow skaters and ask around. Everyone has personal preferences based on experience, style and body type.
Where can I watch roller derby?
Go to wftda.tv.com. You can also check Derby News Network online to watch archived bout video.
What happens on bout day if I am not on the roster for that bout?
If you are not rostered, you will be expected to fill one of the many positions that help make our bouts run smoothly including handing out flyers or working the merchandise table. You may skate during warmups and you will be introduced on skates and in uniform with your team.
What is the bout day schedule?
A schedule will be posted to the KCRW Proboards the week before the bout.
Where can I purchase KCRW merchandise?
Check our online merch store @ kcrollerwarriors.myshopify.com. Talk with the Merch committee heads. Merchandise may be purchased on bout days or @ the practice space with prior arrangements with Merch committee.
Do I get a discount on tickets for my family?
No, but you may sell tickets for face value of $13 or purchase group tickets of 10 or more for $11 each. This saves your friends and family the service charges or increased ticket price on bout day. You can earn comp tickets by selling tickets!
I have to miss practice for a few weeks. Can I take a leave of absence?
Every skater receives 9 “free passes” for absences. Therefore, a skater can miss up to 9 practices with no effect on practice percentage. In addition, optional practices can make up for missed days by improving practice percentage. Lastly, a skater is still eligible to be rostered in home bouts with 75% attendance.
I’m visiting another city that has a roller derby league. Can I skate with them?
Contact the league you are visiting. Most leagues are open to visiting skaters from fellow leagues, but each league has different policies. Contact the interleague rep for assistance.
Can I create a Facebook event for our bouts?
All outward communication is created and coordinated by the Director of Marketing and Head of OCC and coordinated by Head of Social Media to ensure the message of KCRW is consistent. Direct Facebook friends to the event pages created by KCRW, do not create your own event pages. Please actively "Share" our social media announcements as often as possible
The weather is nasty – has practice been cancelled?
The BoD will make the decision to cancel practice no later than 5pm on a weeknight, or the night before on the weekend. There will be a post to the KCRW Proboard. You can also call the league phone – a special message will play if practice is cancelled.
What time is my team’s practice on Sunday?
Check the KCRW Google calendar or contact your home team Captain.
How do I find out more about league events?
Check the KCRW Google calendar, our website, or social media outlets. You may also check with Events or Charity.
I know someone who wants to sponsor KCRW. What do I do?
Ask them if you can give their contact information to the head of the sponsorship committee.
I have a friend who wants to come practice with us. Is that OK?
KCRW practices are closed during the regular season. Only active WFTDA skaters who have passed the scrimmage eligibility test may participate in league practice. Any participation in home team practices must be approved in advance by the Captain. All other skaters please refer to Wreck League.
I know someone who is a photographer and they want to come take pictures at practice. Is that OK?
Possibly. Discuss the particulars with a BoD member. Practices are closed to visitors except with advanced permission.
I have a friend who wants to help out the league but doesn’t want to skate. Who should they talk to?
If they would like to assist with bout day activities, contact the Director of Production or the Production Committee heads. For all other ideas or volunteer options, talk to a BoD member.
I hurt myself during practice. What do I do?
You are required to fill out Accident and Injury forms within 7 days. Reference the Insurance and Injury Policy.
I know someone who skates with another league and wants to come practice with us. What do they need to do?
Active WFTDA skaters who have passed the scrimmage eligibility test are welcome to join league practices. They must sign a waiver and have proof of personal insurance. Reference the Visiting Skater Policy.
I have an idea about a charity KCRW should support. Who do I talk to?
Talk with the Charity Committee Head. Understand that each year, KCRW tries to focus charitable work to make a strong impact for a few organizations. Think ahead for your charity to possibly benefit in the following year.
Someone asked me if KCRW skaters could make an appearance at an event. What do I tell them?
Do not make any promises. Talk with the OCC Committee Head first. Paid appearances are a part of our sponsorship packages and we do not give this away for free. However, some events may be mutually beneficial & not require sponsorship.
I have an idea about KCRW posters and artwork. Who do I talk to?
Talk with the OCC Committee Head, Creative Design Co-Head or Director of Marketing.
I think something should be changed on the website. What do I do?
Talk with the Website Committee Head or Director of Marketing.
Someone wants to interview me for a news story. Is that OK and what should I say?
Sure! Be sure to talk with some of the veterans to be comfortable. Talk to the OCC Committee Head for ideas and reference the media talking points found in this handbook. You can be yourself, but KCRW also wants to send a consistent message to the public.
Do I get to sign autographs?
Yes! You will be assigned a bout to officially sign autographs, but feel free to sign autographs anytime by our fans.
If I move away, can I still play derby?
Look into transferring. Most WFTDA leagues have a transfer policy welcoming those from other WFTDA leagues. Each league has their own rules.
I had a disagreement with another skater and its grown into a big problem. What do I do?
Talk to a council rep, either from your own team or another. One of the roles of council is to mediate issues between skaters.
A fan has been harassing me. What do I do?
Bring it to the attention of the BoD or council immediately. Do not try to handle it alone.
I think the refs are out to get me. They call penalties on me all the time. What do I do?
Remember the refs are doing a job & do not take penalties personally. Talk to your captain if you think there is a genuine problem.
I want to play on one of the travel teams. How do I do that?
Watch for information about tryouts. Tryouts are held for each travel team about twice a season.
I can’t afford to pay my dues this month. Can I still skate?
Talk to the dues manager about making arrangements for paying dues. While dues are to be paid monthly, the league understands financial difficulties can arise. However, being behind on dues will result in ineligibility to be rostered in home bouts and skating @ practice if a balance over $70 is owed.
I lost my personal insurance. Can I still skate?
No. There are no exceptions to this requirement and it is for everyone’s personal safety. A skater may not skate at practice nor at bouts without current and active primary insurance.
What is the best equipment (skates, pads, helmets, etc)? Where do I find it?
Talk to your fellow skaters and ask around. Everyone has personal preferences based on experience, style and body type.
Where can I watch roller derby?
Go to wftda.tv.com. You can also check Derby News Network online to watch archived bout video.
What happens on bout day if I am not on the roster for that bout?
If you are not rostered, you will be expected to fill one of the many positions that help make our bouts run smoothly including handing out flyers or working the merchandise table. You may skate during warmups and you will be introduced on skates and in uniform with your team.
What is the bout day schedule?
A schedule will be posted to the KCRW Proboards the week before the bout.
Where can I purchase KCRW merchandise?
Check our online merch store @ kcrollerwarriors.myshopify.com. Talk with the Merch committee heads. Merchandise may be purchased on bout days or @ the practice space with prior arrangements with Merch committee.
Do I get a discount on tickets for my family?
No, but you may sell tickets for face value of $13 or purchase group tickets of 10 or more for $11 each. This saves your friends and family the service charges or increased ticket price on bout day. You can earn comp tickets by selling tickets!
I have to miss practice for a few weeks. Can I take a leave of absence?
Every skater receives 9 “free passes” for absences. Therefore, a skater can miss up to 9 practices with no effect on practice percentage. In addition, optional practices can make up for missed days by improving practice percentage. Lastly, a skater is still eligible to be rostered in home bouts with 75% attendance.
I’m visiting another city that has a roller derby league. Can I skate with them?
Contact the league you are visiting. Most leagues are open to visiting skaters from fellow leagues, but each league has different policies. Contact the interleague rep for assistance.
Can I create a Facebook event for our bouts?
All outward communication is created and coordinated by the Director of Marketing and Head of OCC and coordinated by Head of Social Media to ensure the message of KCRW is consistent. Direct Facebook friends to the event pages created by KCRW, do not create your own event pages. Please actively "Share" our social media announcements as often as possible