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In January of 2011, 13 women met in a party room at Classic Fun Center in Orem, UT. The purpose of their meeting? To create a roller derby league right here in Utah County. Raggedy Slamm had moved to Salem after playing roller derby in Oregon and Arizona, and she didn't want to give it up just yet. So she teamed up with her cousin, Lil' Misfit, and several other skaters, including Cookie and Pain in the Nikki, to form a league. They soon established a board of directors and settled on a name for the league: Happy Valley Derby Darlins.
After a full year of recruiting new skaters and learning the intricacies of the game, 2 teams were created: the Sirens of Steel (named in honor of the historic Geneva Steel mill) and the Rollin' Rebellion (so titled for the scrappy hard-headedness of its founding members). Before long, the league decided to form a travel team, the Molly Morbids, from the best players of each home team.
Bout after bout, Utah County residents came out in full force to support the fledgling league. Positive stories in the local press and robust word-of-mouth marketing helped expand the league to 50+ skaters. With so many players, the league had no choice but to add another team: the Daughters of Anarchy. With 4 teams, both home and away games became more exciting than ever.
As a successful DIY, "by the skaters, for the skaters" league, HVDD realized it was time for some recognition. By applying to the WFTDA Apprentice Program, the Darlins began their journey to the big leagues. WFTDA stands for Women's Flat Track Roller Derby Association—it's the international governing body of women's flat track roller derby, and a pretty big deal. From July 16, 2012 to December 2013, the skaters, officials, and fans of Happy Valley Derby Darlins worked hard and crossed their fingers.
Finally, the Board received notice on December 23, 2013 that they'd been accepted as a full member WFTDA league. This meant that HVDD could compete in sanctioned games and qualify for rankings, just like the top roller derby leagues in the world.
In early 2014, we realized that something was missing. So HVDD created the Bridal Veil Dolls, a recreational team that's the first of its kind in Utah County. Because there are no attendance requirements for Dolls, anyone can enjoy the fun and friendship of roller derby.
As the season progressed, one thing became clear: Happy Valley Derby Darlins had become the largest roller derby league in Utah. And the success didn’t stop at attendance numbers. HVDD had the opportunity to play in several sanctioned bouts, compete in the Mayday Mayhem Roller Derby Tournament, and achieve its first-ever WFTDA ranking. The league also ramped up its presence in the community with appearances at Salt Lake Comic Con, Provo Pride Festival, and other Utah events. We want everyone in Utah County to know who we are, and more importantly, what we stand for.
In just 3 years, the Darlins found a practice space, trained local ladies of all stripes, and partnered with businesses and charities around the globe. They created a place in Happy Valley where it was okay to be your gutsiest self. We're thrilled to be a WFTDA member league and excited for the challenges that lie ahead. Please join us in 2015 as we showcase inspiring athleticism, confidence, and sisterhood—both on and off the track.