Tulsa Roughnecks Roller Derby Recruiting New Members

Members of the Roughneck Roller Derby are lacing up their skates to kick off their new season.

It's the only Tulsa County group that's internationally recognized. The league is part of the Women's Flat Track Roller Derby Association, where leagues are ranked worldwide. This will be the Roughneck Roller Derby's 10th season in Tulsa.

President Lauren Washburn says the recruitment event this week will be the first one in two years.

The league is hoping for new skaters and non-skating officials like referees and volunteers. Washburn says for the past couple of years, plans have been delayed due to COVID-19, but she wants to bring new life to the team this season.

She says games and competitions have been up in the air, but she hopes they'll start again soon and in the meantime, they'll prepare. For her, roller derby has been more than a sport. It's been a community.

"It's hard to like, make friends when you're older and this has been something that's been really good,” Washburn said "My dad passed last year, and a lot of my derby friends were some of the people that reached out and made sure everything was good. It's a great way to make friends and be in the community."

The informational is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Rhema Ninowski Rec Center in Broken Arrow.