Determined. Focused. Inspiring.
Since roller derby was revived by a group of entrepreneurial women in Austin, Texas in 2001, the amateur sport has risen from an underground cult discussion to a pop culture phenomenon. The roller derby revolution has far exceeded anyone’s expectations and has been called “the fastest growing sport for women” (USA Today). No other league has grown faster, stronger and harder than the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls.
Inspired by the burgeoning movement that saw leagues in Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle and New York crop up, the B.ay A.rea D.erby (B.A.D.) Girls was one of the first women’s flat track roller derby leagues in California and was a founding member league for the official governing body for modern roller derby – Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Since forming in 2004, the B.A.D. Girls have earned a bid to the WFTDA National Championships three times, competed in the WFTDA Western Regional tournament every single year since its inception and have ranked as high as #3 in WFTDA’s Western Region.
Driven by a passionate love for the sport, and aided by a global network of like-minded men and women, the B.A.D. Girls are a skater owned and operated 501 (c)(3) non-profit league with a commitment to helping other grassroots organizations in the Bay Area. The B.A.D. Girls embody the DIY, for-the-skaters/by-the-skaters ethos of modern women’s roller derby. Entirely volunteer-run, every member of B.A.D. puts their heart, soul, sweat and tears into growing the league and more importantly, giving back to the community that has supported them since 2004. The B.A.D. Girls pursue a mission to provide amateur athletic entertainment, and to skate competitively on a regional and national level.
Channeling the gritty perseverance of Oakland and Richmond, the compassion and culture of San Francisco, the passion and activism of Berkeley, the B.A.D. Girls represent the entire Bay Area community, with its diversity, determination and dedication to improving the lives of its citizens. With more than 120 league members, B.A.D.’s recent community involvement include representing in the San Francisco PRIDE Parade with Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, skating in the Piedmont Fourth of July Parade, and participating in a breast cancer fundraiser for Beats 4 Boobs.
