When most sports leagues talk about growth, they're usually referring to higher salaries or bigger, better stadiums.
For the Minnesota RollerGirls, though, it's the sport itself - roller derby - that has grown noticeably in popularity, organization and the collective skills of its players.
And it's all happened in the lifespan of a toddler.
"Roller derby is continually growing, both nationally and internationally. I hear about a new league about once a week," said Mary Donnelly, a rollergirl also known as Head Trauma.
Donnelly is responsible for bringing female roller derby back to Minnesota, after reading an article about the phenomenon and taking a road trip to Texas to see a bout firsthand. In December 2004, the Minnesota RollerGirls held their first bouts at Cheap Skate roller rink in Coon Rapids. In 2005, they upgraded to Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.
Donnelly said that, in addition to the increasing popularity, the sport itself is changing. "When we first started and even when the sport was started, roller derby was definitely more spectator," she said. "It surprises me how much it has evolved."
While much of this growth has happened organically, the sport has also grown because of deliberate attempts to organize a national network. Today 34 leagues belong to the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, including the Minnesota RollerGirls. A local independent league, the North Star Roller Girls, now holds bouts at Cheap Skate.
Minnesota head coach and head referee Denny Royal, a k a Rat Bastard, agreed that the sport is progressing, but emphasized the growth he sees in players' skills. "[Roller derby] continues to get more athletic. It's rougher, with faster, bigger hits. It's not as campy as when we started out," he said.