written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro) photo by Diana Prints

The Philly Roller Girls and Gotham Girls Roller Derby have a lot in common. Besides operating a mere 90 miles apart, both leagues are original Women's Flat Track Derby Association members and both have been extremely successful leagues since their inception. The two organizations have claimed the top two positions of WFTDA's Eastern Region rankings since rankings were first applied in 2008. And on Saturday, they will once again share the same track.
written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro), photos by Joellen Leather-Urban
It had been nearly a year since the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Arena had hosted a Philly Roller Girls bout. The reunion didn’t skip a beat.
An enthusiastic crowd, a larger crop of boisterous “Phear Leaders”, and the usual fan-friendly setup had the arena rocking on Saturday, for the first double header of the home season.

written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro)
It’s been five long months since the Philly Roller Girls last competed in the City of Sisterly Shove .
The wait is over.
Back at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Arena, PRG will host its first double header of the season on Saturday.
A pair of Philly's squads will welcome teams from Maryland and New York in back-to-back bouts as the home season gets underway.
written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro), photo by Tyler Shaw
The Philly Roller Girls made a perfect start to their season, sweeping their opening weekend of the season on three different levels.
written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro), photos by Diana Prints
The cuts have healed, the bruises have cleared, and the ever-shifting balance of joy and agony that was decided by months of competition is back to an even keel.
The Philly Roller Girls’ 2012 season rolled through the calendar with impressive momentum, piggybacking a half dozen years of substantial growth within the sport.
Now it’s time to do it all again.

written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro), photo by Joellen Leather-Urban
Outside, we recently experienced our first snowfall of the season. But the anticipation for Philadelphia’s roller derby championship bout has been snowballing for months.
A hundred or so practices, monthly bouts, travel, tournaments, injuries and fatigue add up to another yearly dose of derby in the city of sisterly shove.
written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro)
ATLANTA — “Grits and Glory” is the name of the tournament and also could prove to be the recipe for success as the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association holds its National Championship Tournament this weekend.
The field has been narrowed down to 12 teams as a result of four regional championships that took place over the last month. Only the top three teams in each bracket survived and now they will be mashed together without the courtesy of southern hospitality.
If you thought you would see national powerhouse teams such as Rose City, Rat City or Rocky Mountain, you were wrong. New strengths have forged in the west and everyone is eying 2011 champion Gotham Girls Roller Derby who have an unblemished 12-0 record this season. Here’s a look at the 12 qualifiers who seek national glory.
written by Mark Zimmaro (@mzimmaro), photos by Sean Murphy and Diana Prints
It all began as a dare.
It wasn’t meant to boost ratings on the local airwaves, despite the dare originating inside a local radio station studio.