Arch Rival Roller Derby

Arch Rival Roller Derby, or ARCH, is a women's flat-track roller derby league in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 2005, Arch Rival is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[1]

Arch Rival Roller Derby
League logo
Metro areaSt. Louis, Missouri
CountryUnited States
Founded2005
Teams
  • All-Stars (A team)
  • Arch Nemesis (B team)
  • Fleur Delinquents (C team)
  • M-80s
  • Smashinistas
  • Stunt Devils
Track type(s)Flat
VenueMidwest Sport Hockey Complex in Ballwin, MO
AffiliationsWFTDA (Division 1)
Org. typeskater-owned
Websitearchrivalrollerderby.com

History
Arch Rival original logo

Arch Rival Roller Derby was founded as "Arch Rival Roller Girls" (ARRG) in 2005 by Sarah Kate Buckles, who skates as Mary Manglin'. The league was trained from January 2006 through May 2007 by coach Ken Watts, AKA "Papa Wheelie."[2] In 2006 ARRG competed locally as 2 teams, each represented by one of the league colors, pink and black. In 2007, ARRG expanded to three home teams, the Stunt Devils, the M-80s and the Smashinistas.[3] A travel team, composed of select skaters, played Arch Rival's first WFTDA-sanctioned game against the Windy City Rollers of Chicago on January 5, 2008,[4] a 95-49 Windy City win.[5] In May 2007, Papa Wheelie resigned, and ARCH now coach themselves using a committee/rotation system drawing from the experience and strength of the veteran skaters and captains.[2]

Arch Rival Roller Derby is an organization consisting of more than 60 active skaters and volunteers who manage and operate the league for and by themselves in accordance with the goals and mission of the WFTDA. ARRG leadership in 2008 consisted of nine elected members of the board of directors and six skaters who serve as elected captains and co-captains of the three teams.

In April 2016, Arch Rival announced its name change from Arch Rival Rollergirls to Arch Rival Roller Derby, to better offer opportunities for trans women, intersex women, and genderqueer members.[6]

In November 2020, it was announced that Arch Rival would be launching a Hall of Fame, inducting five retired skaters, one official, and one non-skating league volunteer each year.[7]

League Structure

Travel teams
  • All Stars (A)
  • Arch Nemesis (B)
  • Fleur Delinquents (C)

Home teams
  • M80s
  • Rebel Skate Alliance
  • Smashinistas
  • Stunt Devils

Since 2017, the league have worked with GateKeepers Roller Derby on a junior roller derby program, St. Louis Junior Derby. This is aimed at children aged 7–17.[8]

WFTDA competition

Arch Rival was announced as a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association in December 2007,[9] initially as a member of the East Region.[10]

On September 20, 2008, the ARRG travel team won Fall Brawl, a regional tournament hosted by the Fort Wayne Derby Girls.[11] ARRG, ranked 44 by Flat Track Stats, came into the double-elimination tournament a rankings underdog, and defeated the higher-ranked Ohio Roller Girls (32) and the Cincinnati Rollergirls (20) in early rounds, and came from behind to beat Grand Raggidy Roller Girls in an 86–71 victory.[11]

Arch Rival has made regular appearances at WFTDA Playoffs, including WFTDA Championships in both 2015[12] and 2016.[13] At the 2017 Division 1 Playoff in Dallas, Arch Rival won their quarterfinal against Queen City Roller Girls 339–123 to qualify for Championships,[14] but then lost their semifinal to Texas Rollergirls 209–199.[15] They then finished in third place by beating Minnesota RollerGirls 186–91.[16] At the 2017 Championships, Arch Rival won their opening game against London Rollergirls 225–82,[17] but lost their quarterfinal to Rose City Rollers 237–109.[18] Arch Rival finished their weekend by defeating Crime City Rollers in the consolation round, 220–160.[19]

In 2018, Arch Rival took first place at the WFTDA Playoff in A Coruña, Spain, by winning the title game 342–149 over Crime City; Arch Rival jammer Bricktator was named tournament MVP.[20] As the fifth seed at the 2018 Championships in New Orleans, Arch Rival lost their quarterfinal to fourth seed Denver Roller Derby, 204–134,[21] but ended their weekend on a high note with a consolation round victory over Texas, 122–92.[22]

Rankings
Season Final ranking[23] Playoffs Championship
2008 NR[24] DNQ DNQ
2009 8 NC[25] 6 NC[26] DNQ
2010 11 NC[27] 10 NC[28] DNQ
2011 6 NC[29] 6 NC[30] DNQ
2012 8 NC[31] 8 NC[32] DNQ
2013 20 WFTDA[33] 6 D1[34] DNQ
2014 23 WFTDA[35] 6 D1[36] DNQ
2015 10 WFTDA[37] 3 D1[38] R1 D1[12]
2016 8 WFTDA[39] 3 D1[40] QF D1[13]
2017 6 WFTDA[41] 3 D1[16] QF D1[19]
2018 5 WFTDA[42] 1[20] CR[22]
2019 5 WFTDA[43] Bye[44] 4th Place[45]
2020-2022 Seasons cancelled due to COVID-19[46] N/A N/A
  • CR = consolation round

In the media

The Arch Rival Roller Derby team has been featured extensively in St. Louis's media.[47][48] They have been featured in local print, TV and radio news.[49] Additionally, various league members have been featured individually in the media. Arch Rival Roller Girl Riddle Lynn was featured on the debut of the TLC show My First Home in April 2007.[50] Dali Madison has been featured on local craft shows.

In February 2009 the Arch Rival Rollergirls took part in a music video shoot for the Breeders single "Fate To Fatal".[51]

References
  1. "Arch Rival Roller Derby – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  2. Seabaugh, Julie (24 May 2006). "Derby Rolls Again". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  3. "ARRG's 10-Year History: Part 2 | Arch Rival Roller Derby". Arch Rival Roller Derby. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  4. "Weekly Rollup for January 4, 2008 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  5. "Arch Rival Roller Derby | Roller Derby Stats & Rankings | Flat Track Stats". flattrackstats.com. Flat Track Stats. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  6. Ledford, Brian (11 April 2016). "No Longer "Girls," St. Louis Skaters Change League Name To Arch Rival Roller Derby". Arch City Sports. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  7. "ARCH Launches Hall of Fame | Arch Rival Roller Derby".
  8. "Junior Derby | Arch Rival Roller Derby". Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  9. "The WFTDA Newsletter - December 2007". WFTDA. December 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  10. "WFTDA National Rankings". www.wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  11. "Fort Wayne Roller Derby Girls Tournament Page". Archived from the original on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  12. Deadwards, Lisa (6 November 2015). "D1 Champs: Jacksonville Outlasts Arch Rival, 149-141". Derby Central. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  13. Sherman, Zach Nomad (5 November 2016). "2016 WFTDA D1 Champs: #5 London knocks down #8 Arch Rival, 197-94". Derby Central. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  14. "D1D: #3 Arch Rival controls #6 Queen City, 339-123". Derby Central. 24 September 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  15. Defiance, Brooklyn (24 September 2017). "D1D: #2 Texas wins over #3 Arch Rival, 209-119 | Derby Central". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  16. Deadwards, Lisa (25 September 2017). "D1D third Place: #3 Arch Rival bests #4 Minnesota, 186-91". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  17. Deadwards, Lisa (3 November 2017). "WFTDA D1 Champs: #7 Arch Rival stymies #8 London, 225-82". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  18. Berrick, Genevieve D (4 November 2017). "2017 WFTDA Champs: #2 Rose City clamps down #7 Arch Rival for a win, 237-109 | Derby Central". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  19. Khaos, Merry (5 November 2017). "Champs: #7 Arch Rival wears out #12 Crime City, 220-160". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  20. "Arch Rival Roller Derby Wins 2018 International WFTDA Playoffs A Coruña – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  21. "2018 Championships New Orleans Game 4: Arch Rival vs. Denver – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  22. "2018 Championships New Orleans Game 8: Texas v. Arch Rival – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  23. "Current Rankings", WFTDA
  24. "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  25. "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  26. "Brawl of America 2009 North Central Regionals", WFTDA
  27. "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  28. "Thunda on the Tundra 2010 North Central Region Playoffs", WFTDA
  29. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  30. "North Central 5th Place: 9NC Chicago Outfit Gets Revenge on 8NC Arch Rival, 153-113 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  31. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  32. Talionis, Lex (16 September 2012). "NC 7th Place: 10NC Madison Finishes Off 4NC Arch Rival, 217-119 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  33. "Rankings: December 31, 2013". WFTDA. January 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  34. Talionis, Lex (8 September 2013). "D1FW 5th: (5) Rose Dismantles (3) Arch Rival, 259-107 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  35. "Rankings: December 31, 2014 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. January 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  36. "Sept. 26-28 – Salt Lake City, Utah, USA - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  37. "Rankings: December 31, 2015 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. January 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  38. "D1T 3rd Place: #3 Arch Rival Outrivals #4 Rocky Mountain, 224-185". Derby Central. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  39. "Rankings: December 31, 2016 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  40. Gloom, June (25 September 2016). "D1M: #2 Arch Rival overtakes #4 Tampa, 149-131". Derby Central. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  41. "Rankings: December 31, 2017 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  42. "Rankings: December 31, 2018 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  43. Watson, Michael. "Current International WFTDA Rankings". WFTDA Stats Home. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  44. wonderpance (2019-07-10). "WFTDA Releases June 30 Rankings, 2019 Postseason Seeding and Brackets". WFTDA. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  45. "2019 International WFTDA Championships". WFTDA. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  46. "Announcing Plans for 2022 WFTDA Roller Derby Events". community.wftda.org. 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  47. "Stltoday.com coverage of ARRG". Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  48. "Lo-fi St. Louis Episode 118: Arch Rival Roller Girls/River City Tanlines". 9 August 2006. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  49. "St. Louis Magazine ARRG coverage". Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  50. "My First Home Season 1 Episode list". Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  51. Caryn Ganz (2009-03-31). "The Breeders Meet the Roller Derby: Behind the Deals' Fate to Fatal Video | Rolling Stone Music". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
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