We had our first social outing of the 2025 season on Saturday, January 18 at Lowry Parcade. This event wasn’t just about having fun—it was a heartfelt celebration of the incredible officials who make our roller derby games possible.
Tampa Roller Derby, like most roller derby leagues, is entirely volunteer-run, and officials play an essential role in keeping our games running smoothly. Did you know a fully staffed WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) game typically requires at least 18 officials? This includes both skating referees and non-skating officials, such as scorekeepers and timers, working together.
Official Business: What do officials do?
Roller derby games are a whirlwind of speed and strategy, and officials are at the center of it all. Here’s just a glimpse of their responsibilities:
Tracking the pack and engagement zone: They monitor where the action is happening and ensure blockers stay within the legal play area
Watching for out-of-play blockers: Officials ensure blockers don’t stray beyond their limits
Identifying the jammers: They track the skaters vying for points
Determining lead jammer status: They call out which jammer has strategic control of the jam
Scoring points: They keep an eagle eye on every point scored by the jammers
With the fast-paced, chaotic nature of roller derby, officials need laser-sharp focus, quick decision-making skills, and a thorough understanding of the rules. Their efforts ensure games are both safe and fair for everyone involved. We LOVE our officials and deeply appreciate the time, energy, and expertise they dedicate to our league.
Fun and Games
The event kicked off with President Red Stiletto sharing a heartfelt toast, and we raised our glasses to express gratitude to all of our officials and share excitement for the 2025 season ahead. League members enjoyed drinks and pizza on the outdoor patio while catching up with each other, chatting with interested future officials and skaters, and spreading the word about Tampa Roller Derby to curious arcade visitors.
The fun didn’t stop there! Inside the arcade, league members unleashed their competitive side with pinball, video games, and a lively Disney Dance Dance Revolution competition. The highlight of the day? S.H. Long absolutely crushing the DDR dance-off and earning the title of DDR Champion!
Thank You Officials!
To everyone who came out to celebrate and show your support, thank you for making the day so special. And most importantly, a massive THANK YOU to our amazing officials—you are the backbone of Tampa Roller Derby, and we couldn’t do this without you!
Join Us
Want to join the action? Tampa Roller Derby is always on the lookout for officials, volunteers, medics, photographers, and more! Whether you’re ready to hit the track or support us behind the scenes, we’d love to have you. Reach out to join@tamparollerderby.com to see how you can get involved.
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