Los Angeles Roller Derby: Meet the Derby Dolls & Belle Scorcho
- After a several-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles Derby Dolls are back on the banked track, bringing roller derby back to Southern California.
- Thora Zeen), the Derby Dolls have grown into a league of over 150 skaters and volunteers, currently organized into five teams.
- The Derby Dolls are a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization, with Tax ID Number 82-3100150.
Los Angeles Derby Dolls Return to the Track After Pandemic Pause
After a several-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles Derby Dolls are back on the banked track, bringing roller derby back to Southern California. The league, described as Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby organization, resumed public bouts recently, reconnecting with fans and continuing a tradition that began in October 2003.
Founded by Rebecca Ninburg (a.k.a. Demolicious) and Wendy Templeton (a.k.a. Thora Zeen), the Derby Dolls have grown into a league of over 150 skaters and volunteers, currently organized into five teams. The organization embodies a “do-it-yourself” ethos, mirroring the resurgence of roller derby in Austin, Texas, in 2000. It operates as an entirely volunteer-run organization, relying on community support and fan engagement.
The Derby Dolls are a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization, with Tax ID Number 82-3100150. The league’s website, www.derbydolls.com, serves as a central hub for information about the league, including team rosters, schedules, and community involvement opportunities.
A recent video posted on Facebook on August 13, 2024, highlights the Derby Dolls as an “iconic roller derby league keeping the sport’s spirit alive in Los Angeles.” The league’s presence extends to social media platforms like Instagram (@derbydolls), where they maintain a following of over 17,000 users.
The Derby Dolls have also been featured in online video content. A YouTube exhibition bout from August 28, 2022, has garnered 392 views, and another video posted on May 21, 2022, has received 665 views on the Los Angeles Derby Dolls YouTube channel. The channel currently has 2.5K subscribers as of today, .
The league offers various programs, including training programs and opportunities for community involvement. They also maintain a blog with updates and news, including the announcement of their return to public bouts after the pandemic. The Derby Dolls also have an officiating team, the Enforcers, who are dedicated to professionalism and training for banked track roller derby.
The Derby Dolls trademark is held by Kitty Fight Productions. Fans can find more information about the league and its activities on their website and through their various social media channels, including Facebook (L.A. Derby Dolls) and Instagram.
Skaters like Megan Costello, also known as “Belle Scorcho,” represent the dedication and spirit of the league. The Derby Dolls continue to be a prominent force in the banked track roller derby scene in Southern California.