The Fresh and the Furious Story
Now in its 12th year - The Fresh and the Furious is one of the longest running roller derby tournaments worldwide
The Fresh and the Furious is the only tournament of its kind in North America, South America, Asia and Europe and inspired a second Fresh and the Furious tournament in New Zealand.
More than a tournament
The Fresh and the Furious raises up our newest players and forges friendships that defy distance and team boundaries.
Les Forces Occultes players hug Hogtown Debu-Taunt players after eliminating them on Day 2 of the tournament in 2023
The Fresh and the Furious is a unique opportunity for new players to enter the spot light. The tournament is a highly anticipated event in our region bringing hundreds of fans out to support the teams. For participants it’s seen as a right of passage into the sport with players only receiving one opportunity to play in their career. The tournament is truly anyone’s opportunity to win as each league fields a completely different roster each year.
The Fresh and the Furious fosters friendships and supports our community. New players have the opportunity to meet and support each other through this once in a lifetime event. Through the tournament eliminated teams will often be seen rallying behind another on the sidelines and cheering them on until the very end.
Members of Ottawa Valley Roller Derby cheer on their rookies at The Fresh and the Furious 2023
Our community comes together every summer in Toronto to support their new players who’ve given their all to learn this new sport. Supporting new members through the steep learning curve of derby and getting to see the hard work displayed on the track, Veteran players take to the trackside to cheer their rookies on to personal victories.
previous winners
The Sloppy Cup was hand crafted in 2010 by Sloppy Boggins for the very first Fresh and Furious Tournament and proudly displays all previous winners of the cup. Winning teams earn the right to drink from The Sloppy Cup to celebrate their victory on the track. Before being awarded all participants and spectators have a chance to view the cup up close at the Hogtown Merch table in Vendor Alley.
Previous Winners
2010: The Chrome Mollys - Hogtown Roller Derby
2011: Coal Miners Daughters - Timmins
2012: The Smash Squad - Montreal Roller Derby
2013: Les Buches - Quebec
2014: Cannon Dolls - Ottawa
2015: Roller Derby Quebec
2016: RDCute - Roller Derby Quebec
2017: Our Ladies of Pain - Royal City Roller Derby
2018: Our Ladies of Pain - Royal City Roller Derby
2019: Smash Squad - Montreal Roller Derby & RDQ - Roller Derby Quebec
2020 - 2022: No Tournament due to health regulations
2023: The Smash Squad - Montreal Roller Derby
The Louisa Kalimeris Heart Award
2023 Winner: D-Rex
Ithaca Roller Derby
The Fresh and the Furious has just one tournament award presented to an individual player. In 2014 Hogtown tragically lost one of our freshies, Louisa Kalimeris, AKA Hack Kerowhack #1922. Louisa came to Hogtown and started to volunteer as an NSO, eventually entering into our Derby 101 program. She was super friendly and really eager about all things derby. She started an online community (Roller Derby Compendium for Freshies Worldwide) for new players to meet, discuss their triumphs and struggles, receive advice from more experienced players and ask questions about rules and gear. This group has 14.9k members and is still active today. Her death was a great loss to the derby community, and an award for the Fresh and the Furious was created in her name.
The Louisa Kalimeris Heart Award is awarded to one player who demonstrates great heart, determination, and a positive attitude. This award doesn’t necessarily go to the best skater/MVP, but to a skater who always stays positive and never gives up. This player is someone who embodies sportsmanship and who can always be found encouraging others. Coaches from each team submit the name of the one skater on their team that best demonstrates these qualities. The winner is chosen from the set of names that are submitted by random draw.