Naptown Roller Girls

Naptown Roller Girls Return to the Local Airwaves!

January 15, 2014 by April Abernathy

The internationally-ranked Naptown Roller Girls will return to HTSN (WRTV-Channel 6.2) this season. Fans will be able to watch the league’s home bouts (on delay) and learn more about one of top 20 roller derby leagues in the world!

Our sold-out December 28th bout will be broadcast on January 18th at 10:00 p.m., with encores on January 19th at 8:00 p.m. and January 21st at 7:00 p.m.

Our January 25th bout will be shown on HTSN on February 8th at 5:00 p.m., with encores on February 9th at 8:00 p.m. and February 11th at 7:00 p.m.

Our February 15th bout will be shown on March 9th at 5:00 p.m., with encores on March 10th at 7:00 p.m. and March 11th at 10:00 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring the thrill of flat track roller derby to the local airwaves again,” says league spokeswoman “Peyton Slamming” (Devon Dean). “We are so thankful for the love and support Central Indiana shows us each season.”

Tickets for the league’s second home bout of the season (1/25) at the Indiana Convention Center are on-sale at all Ticketmaster outlets

Naptown Roller Girls Kick Off Eighth Season Against Indy’s Internationally-Ranked Men’s Derby Team

December 9, 2013 by April Abernathy

It will be a historic battle for the city and state December 28th, as the Naptown Roller Girls kick off their eighth home season at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The roller derby double-header kicks off with the Naptown Warning Belles taking on the South Bend Roller Girls. This will be the first time these two teams have met. The second bout will pit two hometown teams against each other – the Tornado Sirens will battle the Race City Rebels, Indianapolis’ premiere men’s derby team.

The Tornado Sirens are currently ranked #12 in the world by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The Rebels are ranked #9 in the world by the Men’s Roller Derby Association (MRDA).

“While the two teams have never played each other publicly, they have scrimmaged against each other at practice,” says Naptown league spokeswoman Devon Dean (“Peyton Slamming”). “Men’s derby is growing in popularity all the time and Race City provides a strong opponent for us to kick off the season!”

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the first bout starting at 6:00 p.m. The second bout will start at approximately 7:30 p.m. That night will also usher in a new era for NRG, with many new faces on both the Warning Belles and Tornado Sirens. Partial proceeds from the bout will go to the National Kidney Foundation. Naptown is proud to support NKF, including having two kidney donors in our ranks.

Naptown Roller Girls Head for Roller Derby Playoffs

September 3, 2013 by April Abernathy

Siren co-captain Maiden America (Melissa Smith) Photo by Tom Klubens

Naptown to Compete in Division 1 Tournament in Richmond, VA

The Naptown Roller Girls will be going to Richmond, Virginia September 13^th-15^th to compete in playoff action as part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The Tornado Sirens qualified for the 2013 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs as the No. 13 seed overall (3^rd in the division).

“I am looking forward to Division 1 Playoffs this year because for the first time ever we will be playing teams from all of the country in order to qualify for Championships,” says Siren co-captain Maiden America (Melissa Smith). “It’s a wonderful step forward in roller derby, and I am excited and prepared to embrace this opportunity with my team!”

The WFTDA Playoffs and Championships bring together the most talented, highly trained and committed skaters and officials from WFTDA member leagues worldwide.

With a significant shift in the WFTDA competitive structure this year, the 2013 Playoffs will bring a new level of excitement as many teams will meet on the track for the first time in the playoffs.

In prior years, teams were seeded into WFTDA Playoffs based on geographic region. With the introduction of a WFTDA-wide rankings system this year, teams can end up playing opponents from anywhere in the world. There are seven teams that have qualified for Division 1 Playoffs for the first time.

This will be Naptown’s fourth playoff appearance. Depending on the outcome of the playoffs, the Naptown Tornado Sirens could be headed to their third consecutive Championship appearance (the first and only league in Indianapolis to do so).

Naptown Roller Girls battle Arch Rival

May 16, 2013 by April Abernathy

Internationally-Ranked Roller Derby Wraps Up Seventh Regular Season May 18th!

The #16-ranked Naptown Roller Girls will wrap up their seventh successful home season this Saturday night at the Indiana Convention Center with a roller derby double-header against the Arch Rival Roller Girls (St. Louis). The green flag will drop at “NRG 500” at 6:00 P.M.!

The first “race” features the Naptown Warning Belles vs. the St. Lunachix. These two teams met nearly a year ago, with the Belles winning 150-93.

The second “race” of the night is sure to be one of the most talked-about bouts of the year: coming off back-to-back wins against Detroit and Burning River (Cleveland), the Naptown Tornado Sirens will be looking for payback against ARRG, who handed them one of their few losses last season on the road, 99-115.

“These ladies have worked hard all season,” says league spokeswoman Peyton Slamming (Devon Dean). “They come from all walks of life to make ‘Naptown’ a great place to see a fast-paced amateur sport where the athletes work just as hard as the pros.”

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, local vendors, and at the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office. “We think this is the perfect warm-up for that other race in a couple weeks,” says Dean.

Partial proceeds from this bout will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. More information is available at http://www.cff.org/Chapters/indiana.

Friday Night Lights Out with Naptown Roller Girls

April 3, 2013 by April Abernathy

Roller Derby Rocks the Indiana Convention Center Friday night!
Indianapolis’ Internationally-Ranked Roller Derby Team Returns Downtown for “Friday Night Lights Out”

The Naptown Roller Girls will be back in action this Friday night, April 5^th, 2013, for “Friday Night Lights Out” at the Indiana Convention Center (Hall H).

The #16 ranked Tornado Sirens and Warning Belles will battle the Detroit Derby Girls (#11). Doors open at 5:30, with the first bout at 6:00 PM (Warning Belles vs. the Motor City Disassembly Line). The second bout will pit the Detroit Derby All-Stars against the Tornado Sirens in a rematch from the “Monumental Mayhem” tournament held at the Convention Center in the fall of 2011. The Sirens’ close victory over Detroit sent them to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) World Championships for the first time.

The Sirens are coming off a tough loss at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to the Windy City Rollers last month, 207-110.

The Belles are also coming off a loss at home to the Demolition City Roller Girls (Evansville) 159-110.
The league has been playing at several different venues this season while the Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds is under construction. “We love the chance to play downtown and expand our already passionate fan base,” says league spokeswoman Devon Dean (“Peyton Slamming”).

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office, and at our vendors across the city. More information on tickets is available at our website, http://www.naptownrollergirls.com.

Partial proceeds from this bout will go to aid The Dayspring Center, an Indianapolis-based charity committed to assisting families who have found themselves homeless. More information is available at http://www.dayspringindy.org.

Donation boxes will also be set up at the entrance to Hall H. Dayspring officials are asking for donations of the following:

Canned foods (hot sauce, ketchup, barbeque sauce, mustard)
Packaged foods (ramen noodles, mac & cheese, oatmeal)
Fresh foods (fruit, juice, water)
Cleaning supplies (bleach, soaps)
Linens (NEW towels, clothes, sheets)
Baby items (diapers, wipes, powder)
Medicine (ibuprofen, aspirin)
Hygiene (lotion, soap, pads)

The bout will also feature a half-time mini-bout by the Race City Rebels, Indianapolis’ first men’s roller derby team.

Derby Returns to Banker’s Life!

March 6, 2013 by April Abernathy

Roller Derby Returns to Banker’s Life Fieldhouse March 10th!

Coming on the heels of the success of “Derby Does Downtown” last spring, the Naptown Roller Girls are teaming up again with Compton Strategies to present “Spring Break” at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse March 10^th, 2013.

The Naptown Tornado Sirens will take on the regional rival Windy City Rollers All-Stars (Chicago, IL) in what is sure to be one of the most competitive bouts of the year. The two teams have met several times, with Naptown still searching for that elusive first victory over Chicago. The Warning Belles will open the action at 2:00 P.M. that afternoon.

“Our ticket prices are some of the best value for sports in the city,” says league spokeswoman Devon Dean (“Peyton Slamming). “We’re thrilled to again be partnering with Compton Strategies to hopefully bring derby to a whole new group of fans!”

“We love the action and excitement of women’s flat-track derby and are thrilled to be able to take the sport up a notch with this event,” says Compton Strategies President Ray Compton.

Indianapolis’ first women’s flat-track derby league has already sold out two bouts at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion and is on par for a record season, as they make their third push toward a trip to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) World Championships this fall.

Ticket information is available at our website, http://www.naptownrollergirls.com.

Partial proceeds from this bout will again go to aid “Wish for Our Heroes, a non-profit dedicated to helping servicemen and women who are returning from combat. More information is available at https://www.wishforourheroes.org.

Naptown Goes Two for Two Against Cincinnati

January 30, 2013 by April Abernathy

The Naptown Roller Girls continue to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with. The ladies took on the Cincinnati Rollergirls Saturday in front of an almost sold-out crowd at the Indianapolis Convention Center for the Brawl of the Wild.

The first bout opened with Honey Badger of Naptown’s Warning Belles snatching the first lead jammer position, creating an early lead against Cincinnati’s Violent Lambs. The trend continued with NRG’s Itsy Gitsi racking up a 25-point jam. After jammer Eve Anne Hellical took her turn at the Lambs, the score was 48-0. Finally, Cincy pulled off a lead and scored.

Multiple trips to the penalty box by the Violent Lambs enabled the Belles to pull ahead 134-17 during the first half. The second half started with the Lambs getting the lead and steadily raising their score a few points per jam. It wasn’t enough to close the gap against NRG’s consistently scoring jammer rotation.

With less than 10 minutes left on the bout clock, Willa Hoeflinch snuck in the jammer rotation for NRG and scored an incredible 19 points. The first bout of the night ended with NRG’s Warning Belles out scoring Cincinnati’s Violent Lambs 313-62.

Naptown’s Tornado Sirens followed suit in the next bout against Cincinnati’s Black Sheep. A new team introduction got not just the crowd hyped but the ladies of NRG as well. Cincy’s jammer was quickly contained, shut down and held back by Asian Sinsation and Melissa Hehmann allowing Amooze Booche to score three consecutive grand slams.

A power jam combined with Maiden America’s ease around the track brought the score to 28-2. But the Sirens wouldn’t be without their own trips to the box. At one point, both jammers sat in the box while blockers on the floor shrugged at each other with confusion.

Once everyone was back on the track, Dora the Destroyer was able to hold the Black Sheep jammer while Maiden slipped through bringing the score up to 76-11. The Sheep countered by getting lead jam only to immediately get tailed by NRG jammer Trauma-lina. The jammer on jammer race around the track resulted in a zero-point jam. At the half, the Sirens lead the Sheep 92-39.

Naptown’s Tornado Sirens started the second half with two high-scoring jams in a row. Cincinnati continued to fight hard, even building their score with a few high-scoring jams of their own. With less than five minutes left, Naptown pulled far ahead, leading 231-86. The Black Sheep fought hard in the remaining minutes but could not match the scoring power of the Tornado Sirens who won 254-107.

Check out the Naptown Roller Girls Saturday as they return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion and face the Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls from Bloomington. It’s the annual Star Wars bout — Looking for Love in Alderann Places.

Doors open at 6:30 to the general public, with the bout starting at 7:30 sharp! Presale tickets are available online for $12 or at our vendors across the city. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 apiece. Tickets will also be available at the door – $17 general admission, kids 7-12 $10, kids 6-under free, Military (with ID): $8 (two-ticket limit), and students are just $12 with ID.

Photo CreditL: GRocket by Tom Klubens

Looking for Love in Alderaan Places

January 28, 2013 by April Abernathy

Naptown Roller Girls Back in Action This Weekend After 254-107 Win over Cincinnati!

Coming off two decisive victories this past weekend over the Cincinnati Roller Girls (CRG), the Naptown Roller Girls are back in action February 2^nd, 2013 at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The internationally-ranked Tornado Sirens will host the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls (Bloomington) at “Looking for Love in Alderaan Places,” paying homage to the “Star Wars” films.

Saturday night’s bout will also include appearances by members of two “Star Wars” fan groups, the 501^st and the Rebel Legion.

Doors open at 6:30 to the general public, with the bout starting at 7:30 sharp! Presale tickets are available online for $12 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com or at our vendors across the city. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 apiece. Tickets will also be available at the door – $17 general admission, kids 7-12 $10, kids 6-under free, Military (with ID): $8 (two-ticket limit), and students are just $12 with ID.

Partial proceeds from this bout are going to benefit Kids Against Hunger, a non-profit dedicated to feeding children whose families are struggling both here and abroad. Go to http://www.kah-greenwood.org/ for more information!

Following last weekend’s victories by both the Tornado Sirens and Warning Belles (Naptown’s B-team), league spokeswoman Peyton Slamming said, “our hard work is paying off. We’ve been training very hard off-skates, doing everything from Crossfit to taking dance lessons, in order to be better-rounded athletes.”

Looking for Love in Alderaan Places at Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion on Saturday, February 2, 2013

January 19, 2013 by Naptown Buzz

Looking for Love in Alderaan Places at Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion
Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 7:30pm

It’s become a Naptown Roller Girls tradition the “Star Wars”-themed bout is back! “Looking For Love in Alderaan Places” happens February 2nd, 2013 at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Not only will you see the Naptown Tornado Sirens take on the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls (Bloomington, IN), but you’ll see Wookies, Stormtroopers, maybe even Boba Fett! It’s as close to a trip to the Mos Eisley Spaceport as you’re going to get without leaving the planet!

Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Woodland Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46205

Naptown Roller Girls Head Downtown for “Brawl of the Wild”

January 17, 2013 by April Abernathy

Indianapolis’ internationally-ranked roller derby team is back at the Indiana Convention Center for their second home bout of the season!

Coming on the heels of a sold-out crowd at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion to open their seventh home season, the Naptown Roller Girls will be at the Indiana Convention Center Saturday, January 26^th, 2013 for “Brawl of the Wild.”

This bout welcomes back the internationally-ranked Tornado Sirens to the home crowd for the first time since their second run to Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) World Championships last fall.

The Tornado Sirens and Warning Belles will take on the A and B-teams of the Cincinnati Roller Girls (CRG). CRG and NRG have met several times throughout both league’s histories, including in the 2011 “Monumental Mayhem” tournament (played at the Convention Center).

Doors open at 5:30 PM to the general public, with the Belles facing off against the Silent Lambs at 6:00P.M. Tickets are $12 apiece via all Ticketmaster outlets, the Lucas Oil Stadium box office, or our local vendors around the city. Tickets will also be available at the door for $17. Kids two-under are free. Kids three-12 are just $10. Military with ID: $8 (limit 2 per ID). Students with ID: $12 (limit 1 per ID).

Partial proceeds from the bout will go to benefit the Jack Barklaus Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding the Humane Society of Indianapolis. Pet supply donations will be accepted at the bout.

“As the ‘amateur sports capitol of the world,’ we’re so proud to call Indianapolis home, “says league spokeswoman “Peyton Slamming” (Devon Dean). “Playing at the Indiana Convention Center while the Pepsi Coliseum is undergoing a make-over was a natural fit for us. We love the opportunity to play downtown and maybe attract some new fans.”