Who We Are
Athens Ohio Roller Derby (AORD) is a skater-owned and operated amateur non-profit organization comprised of women+ from Athens, Ohio and the surrounding region. Following the rules and ethics set forth by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), we represent the spirit of Appalachian resilience, community, and determination through the sport of roller derby.
We are a grassroots organization built by the hands of women+ who have and will continue to inspire the love of roller derby to our community. From humble beginnings to packed arenas, we've grown into a vital part of the Athens community while staying true to our grassroots origins
Our Teams
AORD consists of two competitive teams:
The Appalachian Hell Betties - Our A team representing AORD in higher-level competition.
The Black Diamond Betties - Our B team that provides additional competitive opportunities and development for skaters.
Membership Options
Competitive Teams: For those seeking to compete at A- and B-levels
Wreck Skater Program: A (recreational) program for those who want to participate on a more flexible basis. Wreck skaters come from all skill levels - some are newer to the sport while others are highly experienced athletes. What unites them is the need for a more flexible commitment option. This month-to-month membership allows skaters to attend practices without the attendance requirements of competitive roster eligibility. While Wreck skaters have no minimums for continued participation, they need to attend at least 4 practices in a 30-day period to participate in scrimmages. Skaters can move between rosterable and wreck status as their circumstances change, with a probationary period required when transitioning to roster eligibility.
Learn to Skate Derby (L2SD): For those new to roller derby, our L2SD program provides a structured 10-week introduction to the sport's fundamentals. Upon completion, graduates can choose the membership option that best suits their goals and availability, whether that's joining one of our competitive teams or participating as a wreck skater.
Who Can Join
We accept those who wish to referee, compete, skate recreationally, and/or participate off-skates. An individual who identifies as a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive may skate with AORD if women's flat track roller derby is the version and composition of roller derby with which they most closely identify.
AORD is committed to fostering the empowerment of people of all races, communities, national origins, gender expressions, sexual orientations, ages, and body types by serving as positive athletic role models.
League Structure
AORD operates via a democratically elected board of directors. We support the advancement of the sport of roller derby worldwide by providing the skills training necessary for participation in inter-league competition at the local, state, and national levels.
Our Impact
AORD instills a sense of community, camaraderie, loyalty, hard work, competitiveness, and family among the skaters and throughout the organization and the Athens community. We could not play the sport we love without community support.
As a non-profit, we show our community and supporters appreciation through charitable contributions of money, food donations, and volunteer labor to organizations whose missions match our own. Since 2010, we've proudly partnered with local non-profit organizations who share our values.
