Deadly Rival Roller Derby, Inc.

Dear Deadly Rival Fans,

Many of us have seen the impact of COVID-19 on our businesses in St. Petersburg, and unfortunately Banked Track Roller Derby was no exception. Due to our inability to operate, we had to make the difficult decision to leave our venue in August 2020. However, while we are closed at this time, we are not gone and have some exciting news to share! During this downtime, we have restructured Deadly Rival Roller Derby into a federally recognized tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization as a junior league for at-risk youth with the goal to reopen later this year. 

We are very excited to be introducing our junior league: The Rivals-Next Generation! Why are we doing this? Before restructuring as a nonprofit, since 2011, Deadly Rival supported other charities in our community, such as Friends of Strays, Family Resources, Metropolitan Ministries, and many more by raising funds and collecting needed items. We now wish to continue supporting the community by focusing on our at-risk youth.

Children in lower-income demographics often experience isolation while their parent(s), or primary caretakers are working, and, in general, have fewer opportunities for extracurricular activities placing them at higher risk. Roller Derby is a creative outlet that offers a healthy opportunity to bond with other children who face similar situations, connect with adults who can help them gain confidence in ways they have never experienced as well as provide them with encouragement, exercise and life lessons. 

While, “The Rivals-Next Generation” is our primary focus, our adult league “Deadly Rival” will be bouting soon thereafter for your enjoyment. We feel this makes a terrific combo because a significant portion of the adult league proceeds will help generate scholarship opportunities for our junior league! Awesome right???!!!! We know the community loves Banked Track Roller Derby because, in 2020, we placed third as the best sports franchise in the Best of Tampa Bay People’s Choice Award honoring local businesses, and have also been featured on Fox 13 Tampa Bay Area News, WTSP Great Day Tampa Bay, and the Tampa Bay Times.

To accomplish our goal, we need the community’s help. We need your help. Would you be willing to donate $5, $10, $50 (or any amount) to help us make a difference in the lives of the at-risk youth in our community? 100% of your donation will be used toward our program, and also go towards securing our new venue to house our Banked Track, as it is the heart of our operation and the most significant expense. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and we look forward to making Banked Track Roller Derby even greater than before.

Sincerely,

Deadly Rival Roller Derby, Inc.®