When we talk about the foundation of modern roller derby, one name always comes up: Hydra. Known off the track as Jennifer Wilson, Hydra is a founding member of the Texas Rollergirls and the first president of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). She not only helped shape how the game is played today but also paved the way for thousands of skater-run leagues around the world.
In a 2022 interview with Voyage Austin, Hydra looked back at those early days, the vision behind the league, and the challenges of building something from the ground up.
“It was born out of passion,” Hydra said. “We wanted real athletic competition—flat-track, skater-owned. Texas served as the testing ground for what became the standard WFTDA rules.”
(Source: VoyageAustin.com)
Creating a New Kind of Sport
In 2003, the Texas Rollergirls split off from the original Austin-based banked track team to create the world’s first flat-track roller derby league. The format was low-cost, flexible, and accessible—perfect for DIY communities. Hydra and her teammates didn’t just want to play a game. They wanted to build a sport that skaters controlled.
Hydra’s leadership was instrumental during this period of transition. She was elected the first president of WFTDA, which became the official governing body of flat-track roller derby. Under her guidance, the organization created universal rules, tournament structures, and a model for skater governance that leagues around the world could adopt.
The Legacy of the Hydra Trophy
In 2006, the Texas Rollergirls won the first-ever WFTDA Championship. To honor her influence, the WFTDA later named its championship trophy The Hydra. It is awarded each year to the league that wins the WFTDA International Championships—a lasting symbol of Hydra’s contribution to the sport.
“There’s something powerful about knowing this sport is by and for skaters. Every policy, every rulebook—we created that,” Hydra said in the same interview.
(Source: VoyageAustin.com)
Looking Ahead
Even though she’s no longer competing, Hydra continues to support the sport behind the scenes. In the Voyage Austinfeature, she reflected on roller derby’s growth and how far it has come since its underground beginnings.
“I’m proud of the diversity and strength we see in derby today, but I hope the next chapter includes more media attention, sustainable growth, and opportunities for younger generations of skaters to lead.”
(Source: VoyageAustin.com)
Conclusion
Hydra’s story is more than just a personal achievement—it’s the blueprint for a movement. Without her vision, modern roller derby might not exist as we know it. Her leadership, commitment to athlete empowerment, and trailblazing efforts still echo through the sport’s culture today.