Northwest Austin Edition | January 2026

Health & wellness

BY DACIA GARCIA

Nonprot organization Texas Rollergirls rolled into the Austin scene in 2003, originating at track roller derby as a way to make the sport more accessi- ble, Chief Marketing Ocer Alex Massey said. Today there are over 400 leagues around the world based on the adaption of the sport created by Texas Rollergirls, she said. Meet the team The organization has four home teams: Hell Marys, Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, Hotrod Honeys and Hustlers. Its two travel teams, Texecutioners and Texas Chainsaws, compete globally. One of the many creative parts of the sport is being able to take on a new persona. The process all starts with a name. On the track Massey is known as Jackson Villain and graphic designer Jessica Havlir is known as Miso Thorny. The inspiration for derby names varies from hometown homage to enjoying a play on words. The players’ names become a big part of their participa- tion—some team members don’t even know each other’s legal names, Massey said. “I often forget people’s real names and then I hear their name and I’m like, ‘Jessica? What? Who are you,’” Massey said. Get involved Outside of competing, Texas Rollergirls hosts a recreational league where community members can learn how to skate derby-specic skills and practice full contact to prepare for competitive play if they are interested in trying out for the organization. There are two opportunities a year to try out for a team. The fall opportunity features a 12-week training program, which ends with a nal scrim- mage before attendees are notied if they’ve been drafted to a team. “We have skaters who have been here 20 years and they know the game, they know how to play and the training is exceptional,” Massey said. “We even have league members who travel to other leagues to train. Every practice is going to have some level of intensity that not a lot of people are used to and that’s why we are competitive.” Havlir joined the rec league after she had her rst child and while she’s taken short breaks in the past few years, she always comes back to Texas Rollergirls. “I always come back because the community is Texas Rollergirls promotes inclusivity in Texas roller derby

Games typically last an hour, with two 30 minute halves in which defenders have to stop the jammer—the player who scores points—from passing them and scoring.

COURTESY TEXAS ROLLERGIRLS MARIA ZOLLER

Texas Rollergirls launched in 2003 and now has four home teams and two travel teams.

In a match, one player from each team wears a star helmet which makes their position as the jammer known.

COURTESY TEXAS ROLLERGIRLSBRENT LAVELLE

COURTESY TEXAS ROLLERGIRLSMARIA ZOLLER

the most incredible community ever,” Havlir said. “It’s so diverse. We have mothers. ... We have grand- mas. We have kids who just graduated from high school. ... All sorts of people. It’s just an amazing community to be in.” Looking forward The team hopes the league continues to thrive decades from now and derby leagues in other cities continue to grow as well. “We provide a safe place for people to come and get a good workout and also build that community,” Havlir said. “We’re just here for each other and we want people coming to our games to feel that as well.”

183

8120 Research Blvd., Ste. 105, #511, Austin www.texasrollergirls.org

The league’s 2026 season will include games from February through September.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM