The league was founded as the Berlin Bombshells.[2] It was the second roller derby league in Germany, and was assisted in its early development by the first league, theStuttgart Valley Rollergirlz.[3] In its early days, it was forced out of its practice hall by Berlin's sports department; the team took legal action to regain access to public space.[4] The league gained visibility when skater Diane Rott transferred from theB.ay A.rea D.erby Girls.[4]
Original Berlin Bombshells logo
It competed in the first roller derby bout between two German leagues, against the Stuttgart Valley Rollergirlz in 2009. The same year, it participated in "Roll Britannia", the first roller derby tournament in Europe, and in December hosted the first European Roller Derby Organisational Conference (EROC).[5]
Bear City hosted the first German Roller Derby Championship in December 2010, losing 124–128 to Stuttgart in the final.[6]
In July 2016, the league announced it had officially changed its name to Bear City Roller Derby.[7]
In March 2012, Bear City Roller Derby became the WFTDA’s first full member league incontinental Europe.[10]
The league has since competed in multiple Division 2 Playoffs and Championships, with its 2014 appearance marking the first time a continental European team competed at a WFTDA Championship event.[11]
