September 2010 Featured League: Sacred City Derby Girls

The Sacred City Derby Girls are working hard to make their smaller league known throughout the WFTDA community. Preparing to host the 2010 Western Regional Playoffs, "Rollin' on the River," is going to be extra special for them — they have made it into the top ten and won't just be hosting: they will be competing. Take a few moments to learn more about these proud ladies from The Golden State...

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Location:
Sacramento, California

How does your season run?
February to October

Are you close to any other WFTDA leagues?
B.A.D. Girls, who we "married" at Rollercon in 2007, and one of the WFTDA’s newest members, Silicon Valley Roller Girls!

How many skaters/teams do you have?
We have 2 travel teams, our WFTDA travel team "The Sacrificers" and our B team "The Disciples".

How is your league structured (home teams, travel team, management)?
Our business is run by a Board of Directors (7 league members voted in by the league each year). We have only been a “travel team” league thus far but we are hoping the addition of our SUNDAY SLAUGHTER will lead into home teams.

How many days a week do you practice?
This time last year we obtained a practice facility so we now have specified training every day/night of the week except Friday.

Who is Sacred's biggest rival? And have you had any outstanding, memorable moments against them when you bouted?
I think we would have to say Pikes Peak. Our first meeting with them was a loss by 3 points scored in the last jam and then going to Colorado to get out butts spanked. We finally pulled out the win this February 2010 at the Wild West Showdown. Whenever we play them it is a great game.

Do you have any sister leagues you’d like to give a shout out to?
B.A.D. of course but we have gotten really close with Rocky Mountain, those girls are awesome!

What are the individual challenges of your city?
Being the capital of California, we are in a more conservative area, but our fans love us!

Who are some of your favorite sponsors?
Budweiser and Shock Top! Who doesn't love beer! Also Dr Debbie “aka Dr. Diamond” our Chiropractor we love her too! And, Marc Mclaughlin aka DarkRoom DonJuan – our team photographer!

What are your biggest training challenges?
Being a small league. In comparison, we don't have as many skaters as some leagues.

Who are the best "behind the scenes" skaters who make your league run?
Our Board of Directors and Committee Heads – without them we would not have a functioning league to skate with!

Who are some of your star on-track skaters and why?
Daddy's Girl – we all know why, Shadow Solider (have you ever tried to get around her?), and recently our rookie, The 4 Closer, a jammer/blocker extraordinaire.

What kind of training/bouting facilities do you have?
We have a 12,000 square foot warehouse we secured about a year ago in downtown Sacramento.

Sacred is hosting the 2010 Western Regional Tournament, October 1-3, “Rollin' on the River” – what made your league decide to take on hosting this event?
Our league’s love for the WFTDA and the idea that we might get to play for the first time in “Regionals” – hosted at home! This definitely motivated us to play hard and make it into the top 10, which we did!

Who do you foresee being the unsung heroes in getting this regional tournament put together for your league? And how hard are they working right this very second?
Without a doubt, Aly Sylum and Chica Loca – Sunday after our last double header we had a 6-hour meeting.

From what I understand your fans get the chance to win their choice of an iPhone or Droid with the purchase of their bout ticket? That's awesome! Can you tell us more about this?
Roller King in Roseville, where we host our home bouts, created this promotion to increase door sales! Pre-sale tickets were $12 online, if spectators purchased a $17 ticket at the door and provided a coupon printed from our website, their name was entered in a drawing to win a FREE iPHONE! It increased our door sales as well as pushed people to view our website…we used our Facebook page to promote this offer and it was great.

Sacred is known for the "Sunday Slaughter". Can you explain what it is for people who may not know? And how did you come up with the idea?
Sunday Slaughter is a monthly bout – full dress and ref crew, Pink versus Burgundy, played by teams that Sacred coaching puts together from reduced eligibility requirements to allow all types of league members a chance to bout. After the scrimmage we invite our fans to skate with us for an hour open skate. It stemmed from wanting home teams but not having quite enough league members. It is also a fundraiser with the hopes that in 2011 we can replace all other types of fundraising allowing more playing time for the skaters and refs. It has been a great addition to the Sacred Schedule and a great way to pull in more fans!

Your league holds an annual mud wrestling fundraiser that just happened in August – who holds the crown for 2010? Any fun memories from these events you'd like to share?
Cha Cha Khan, a newer transfer skater….she wrestled in spa quality mud for about an hour to earn her belt! Congrats Khan! This event is such a crowd pleaser and a great way for the skaters to cut loose off the track…another bonding experience!

Is there any other information that you would like to share with wftda.com? Upcoming plans for 2010, other tournaments you'll participate in, big road trips, etc?
Sacred is really working this month to incorporate veterans and newer skaters on the WFTDA 20 to compete in the Western Regional Tournament. We have tryouts right after the tournament on October 17th to bring in more skaters to the league. Our goal is to continue to build and stay strong through the off season to be ready for the Wild West Showdown in March 2011, and hopefully earn enough travel funds to compete at the East Coast Derby Extravaganza (ECE). We want to make ECE happen for the league in 2011.

Do you have a special message to your fans?
Thank you to all of our fans and family – for all your love and support, we would ABSOLUTELY NOT be where we are without all of you!

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