| Featured Producer: Rat City Rollergirls |
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 Rat City Rollergirls, LLC, (RCRG) is Seattle's first and only all female roller derby league. Taking their name from a traditional term for Seattle's southern, blue-collar district, RCRG was established in April 2004 via a grassroots movement of strong-minded women.
Rat City Rollergirls is an all-volunteer organization that is run for the skaters by the skaters. "We work hard to provide a sexy, athletic sport that appeals to our fans", says Sue Schmitz (aka Darth Skater), RCRG's public relations manager. "What sets us apart from the pack is that we have a unique twist of hometown originality that meets the particular taste and genre that Seattle has been waiting for."
The league is comprised of about 60 members/owners and includes four teams: Derby Liberation Front, Sockit Wenches, Grave Danger, Throttle Rockets. These teams participate in competitive roller derby bouts on a flat track in an amateur athletic season that lasts from February through October. This is the Rollergirls first season and their first four events have already sold out. To help accommodate their growing fanbase, they have had to move from their small 800 capacity venue, into a larger 1500 capacity facility for their upcoming shows.
In addition to the countless hours spent in training, the Rollergirls use their off-time to participate in unique fundraisers, make public appearances, and help with charitable activities and other related events. These charitable activities add to the appeal of the Rat City Rollergirls and accentuate their more traditional marketing activities.
Word-of-mouth has definitely made the RCRG Seattle's hottest ticket and gained them some great media publicity too. They've made the front page of Seattle's local daily newspaper, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, and have been featured in several other print publications and on the radio, as well as appearing in a sports feature that aired on the local ABC news affiliate, Komo 4.
"We are incredibly excited about our new venue, the first half of our first season, and everything that we have accomplished to get where we are today", says Schmitz. "We also realize that there are still many things to be done, especially if we are going to accomplish a goal of inter-league play across the United States." Currently there are over 20 established and up-and-coming roller derby leagues across the United States. "It's exciting to see these new leagues like Portland's Rose City Rollers, getting off the ground with support from this huge community we've built. But the one key thing that keeps us going is the support of our fans. Putting on great athletic events that have style and flair as the key ingredients will always remain our number one goal", says Schmitz.
Visit the Rat City Rollergirls' website
http://www.ratcityrollergirls.com/
Tickets for the next Rat City Rollergirls event are available at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/7214 |
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