WHO WE ARE
Founded in January 2006 as the Hammer City Roller Girls, we are the first not-for-profit, skater operated, flat track roller derby league in Canada.
On July 22, 2006, in Burlington’s Central Arena, history was made as founder Lasha “Whiplasha” Laskowsky and a group of ambitious skaters held the first modern public roller derby bout in Canada. Over the subsequent years, Hammer City established itself as a competitive, hard-hitting league.
In 2017 the league rebranded as Hammer City Roller Derby to more accurately reflect the diversity of our membership.
Proudly representing and skating in Hamilton, Ontario, Hammer City Roller Derby is comprised of the all-star WFTDA charter Hammer City Eh! Team and the Hammer City Dundurn Hassle, both of whom compete against other leagues in Canada and internationally, plus the Pier Pressure rookie team. A junior derby program was established in spring 2017 with the goal of competing in the near future.
Hammer City is proud to be the second international member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (visit the WFTDA website), the international governing body of the sport with over 420 member leagues around the world. As a WFTDA league, Hammer City helps shape the continued growth and development of roller derby.
Our VALUES
Development: To create an environment that meets people where they are in their roller derby journey, from recreational skating to the highest levels of competitive WFTDA play.
Connection: To engage with communities that are under- and un-represented within the sport of roller derby in meaningful ways.
Challenging the status quo: To have the difficult conversations to ensure that we're creating safer and braver spaces, even when it's hard to do so.
Addressing barriers: To be open to understanding and dismantling the systemic barriers that prevent people from participating in derby.
Amplify: To add volume to the experiences of people who experience marginalization within derby.
Vulnerability: To be brave enough to acknowledge areas of challenge, and admit the areas where we don't always get it right, but strive to do better.
Growth: To provide people with the space and grace for unlearning/relearning by calling people in and providing them space to make mistakes.
Accountability: To create an environment where people are protected when harm or violence has occurred.
Community: to establish a positive presence within the city of Hamilton.
Fun: to create an enjoyable experience for community, fans, and skaters.