Hogtown Roller Derby, founded as the Greater Toronto Area Rollergirls (GTAR), is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 2007, Hogtown Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
History The league was founded as Greater Toronto Area Rollergirls in early 2007 by Cynthia Brooks, known as "Splat Benatar" as Toronto's first not-for-profit roller derby league."About GTAR", GTA Rollergirls In 2009, its skaters included a nanny, an insurance broker and an actress.Thane Burnett, "Today's roller girls are hell on wheels", Toronto Sun, 24 February 2009 The league consists of two teams, which compete against teams from other leagues.
By 2011, GTAR was one of three roller derby leagues in Toronto.Sarah Frank, "Skaters roll in to Humphrey for a derby", Metroland Media Group, 30 June 2011 In July, it was accepted as an apprentice member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association."WFTDA Adds Crop of 15 Apprentice Leagues ", WFTDA, 13 July 2011
Several skaters from GTAR were involved in the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup, which was hosted by Toronto Roller Derby. Three then-league members took part: Canadian Psycho was selected to skate for All-Ireland Roller Derby and Sloppy Boggins was chosen as assistant coach for Team Sweden, while Lee Way Wreck'em was an alternate for Team Canada.eSkimo Jo, "Are all great Molly fans Wrench Heads and Photographers?", GTA Rollergirls, 20 November 2011
On December 23, 2013, GTAR was made a full WFTDA member league."WFTDA Welcomes 22 New Full Member Leagues", WFTDA, 23 December 2013
In May 2018, the league announced a rebrand as Hogtown Roller Derby, borrowing on the nickname "Hogtown" for Toronto.
WFTDA rankings
SeasonFinal ranking"Current Rankings", WFTDAPlayoffsChampionship2014193 WFTDADNQDNQ2015216 WFTDADNQDNQ2016261 WFTDADNQDNQ2017300 WFTDADNQDNQ2018332 WFTDADNQDNQ
References