The United Kingdom Roller Derby Association (UKRDA) has today [Wednesday, April 16] announced the appointment of their new Transgender Liaison and the ratification of their Transgender Policy.

The policy creates a uniform standard of treatment of transgender skaters, and ensures the protection and safety of transgender skaters throughout the UK, with UKRDA member leagues committing to adhere to the policy. This includes safeguarding the confidentiality of trans* skaters, and ensuring that they are supported not just by the law, but by UKRDA policies.

Mistress Malicious, chairwoman of the UKRDA, welcomed the announcement. She said: “This policy makes the UKRDA one of the most forward-thinking and inclusive sports organisations in the country.

“Skaters in our member leagues come from all walks of life and with this policy, we ensure that transgender skaters feel safe, supported and welcome within the UK roller derby community.”

As you may know, our All Star Travel Team, the Twisted Thistles, have been invited to play in ‘The Big O’, a major derby tournament held annually on the West Coast of the USA. This year it’s taking place on 2 – 4th May, and Auld Reekie will be winging their way to take on some of the finest teams in America!

We need to raise money to get out skaters over there and show the USA what Scotland’s women can do. To make this happen, we are holding fundraising events – starting with a Comedy night at the Stand on April 22nd where you can see some great comedians, including Danny Bhoy for only £10! Then, we have a bagpacking day at Tesco in Broughton Street on April 26th – pop along and we’ll sort out your shopping for you! Next, we will be hosting screening sessions of the actual tournament for those who aren’t lucky enough to be able to go to America to watch! Details of these will be on the website and Facebook soon. After that, we are holding an amazing awards ball <link> where you can come and see us honour our league members, and then we will party ARRG! Later in the year, we’ll be hosting another School of ARRG Knocks Bootcamp, which will be held in July. Keep an eye out for details!

In addition to these amazing events, we have also launched a range of limited edition merch <link> which is on sale now!

PLUS we have some brand new Home Season 2014 merchandise which is also on sale now, and you can get this at our HOME SEASON FINAL which is this Saturday <link>.

If you are unable to make it along to any of our events, but still want to help out, you can always leave a donation – we appreciate every penny.

If you are interesting in advertising with us, you can contact sponsorship@auldreekierollerderby.com, or for more information about sponsoring us, please have a look at our sponsorship pack.

Let’s show America what Scotland are made of!

We are very sorry to have to announce that the upcoming Detriot bootcamp on April 6th has sadly been cancelled.

Unfortunately the Detroit skaters are no longer able to run the bootcamp, and it is with great regret that they are having to cancel their planned visit to Edinburgh.

We are however, delighted to announce that ARRG will be running a School of ARRG Knocks 3 bootcamp in the very near future. This is being worked on right now, and we will have full details out as soon as possible.

Want to be the first to hear exclusive news about ARRG? Be on the invite only list to all our special events, AND save money by getting a discounted entry price? Then become ARRG pal!

For only £5 a month you will receive:

– Exclusive newsletters (they won’t be the same as our regular newsletters you can sign up for on our website)

– A dashing membership card which will get you access to all our bouts for only £5 on the door

– A welcome gift.

However, the Be ARRG Pal membership does not give you any voting rights within the league or full access to the Forum. If you’re interested in those, you could consider a Non-Skating Member membership (where you would join a committee and be an active member of the ARRGverse).

If you are interested in becoming an ARRG Pal or would like more information,
please contact us at: communications@auldreekierollerderby.com.

Joined ARRG in: January 2011

Favourite position to play: Blocker. I like doing the odd bit of jamming too though.

Best ARRG memory: Winning all our bouts at ECDX, jumping in the pool with GRD then and selling lots of merch out of a suitcase trackside whilst a little drunk with Sid. I think I sold Bonnie Thunders a t-shirt, but I can’t quite remember. It was brilliant.

Favourite after skate drink/snack: Bananas! Coconut milk is rank.

Worst Derby injury: I’ve been miraculously unscathed. My thumb gets a bit stiff occasionally from falling on it ages back, but that’s about it.

Best Derby advice: Go to practice! You’ll never get anywhere unless you put the hours in.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories?: Probably when Stitches pulled my leggings down when jamming in America, and it got reported in the Edinburgh Evening News.

Derby Hero: I’ve got to say Crazylegs. She’s put so much work into building up the league from the early days whilst also being an amazing coach, tactician and creeper. And she’s also pretty good at derby. Can I say I love her bum? I love her bum. It does spectacular hits.

What do you do outside of derby: I’m Archivist at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. It’s pretty much that and derby.

Fun fact about you: You know the thing that hangs down the back of your throat (the uvula)? I have two.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the club…
Not a Spokesy was working, for they’ve head to the pub.
Their skates were all hung by the laces with care…
In hopes that the Home Season would soon be there.

The Thistles and Belles were snuggled up in their beds…
Whiles visions of power jams danced in their heads…
And Cider with her wisdom… and Stitches her notes…
Figuring out when to haggis, or capture the goats.

The wheels were all cleaned, the bearings were polished…
Soon off to the Auld Hoose where nachos are demolished.

When out on the track there arose such a clatter…
The entire league headed over to see what’s the matter.
A festive Christmas Scrimmage had only just begun…
Everyone is invited to join in the fun!

With Christmas nearly upon us, please don’t forget…
All the beers and mince pies you are soon to regret!
St Derby would no doubt just like to remind…
Next season will be here in very little time!

“Now SQUAT! Now LUNGE! Now SIT-UP or PLANK! On SKATES or OFF SKATES on BIKE or on FOOT! To the top of the staircase… to the top of the hall! Now exercise, exercise, EXERCISE ALL!”

St Derby sprang from her sofa, and gave the league four sharp whistles…
She woke up everyone, even the Belles and the Thistles…
I heard her exclaim, as she rolled out of sight…
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO A GOOD NIGHT!’

(original by Clement Moore; made BETTER by Bulletproof-Glass)

Fresh from their success at the ECDX tournament in Philadelphia last year, Auld Reekie Roller Girls’ very own Twisted Thistles have been invited to play in ‘The Big O’, a major derby tournament held annually on the West Coast of the USA. This year it’s taking place on 2 – 4th May, and Auld Reekie will be winging their way to take on some of the finest teams in America!

The Big O, hosted by the Emerald City Roller Girls of Eugene, Oregon, is an annual flat track roller derby invitational tournament featuring women’s, men’s and junior roller derby. Established in 2012, last year’s tournament featured teams travelling from as far afield as Australia, Canada and the UK. A WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) approved event, the scores will influence Auld Reekie’s place in the global rankings. Currently ranked number 3 in Europe and 103 in the world, this tournament will be a vital opportunity for Auld Reekie to take on some of the USA’s toughest teams, gain some valuable experience and raise their profile in the worldwide roller derby community.

The bouts will be streamed live on the internet, meaning Auld Reekie’s loyal supporters can cheer their team from afar, and Scotland can get behind one of their most successful sporting exports.

Auld Reekie took the USA by storm at ECDX this year, winning all three of their sanctioned bouts and coming out of the blue to surprise the American roller derby community with their success. Can they do it again in 2014 and – along with Glasgow Roller Derby – raise Scotland’s profile as a major presence in the international roller derby scene?

Want to support your local team and help Auld Reekie get to America? We can’t do it without you! Chuck us a couple of quid at the following link: http://arrg.co.uk/sponsors/donate/

Are you a derby skater who is aiming high and wants to improve their skills? Want to play in America yourself some day? Some of Auld Reekie’s finest skaters will be coaching at the ‘School of ARRG Knocks 2 – Even ARRGER!!!’ roller derby bootcamp in Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd November. Take advantage of the expertise on offer and come along!
School of ARRG Knocks 2 – Even ARRGer!

During the past two years, Captain CrazyLegs has led the Twisted Thistles from strength to strength. From their first bouts under her guidance to their epic winning streak that began in America and is still going strong, Crazy and Vice Captain Ciderella have been guiding ARRG in their exploits.

 

But, at the AGM on Sept 16^th, CrazyLegs officially stepped down after two years of captaincy of the Twisted Thistles.

Crazylegs: “I had the best time ever being Captain – So many firsts!! WFTDA Track Queens tournament, playing Brawling (twice!), Anarchy III, The first UKRDA sanctioned game with GRD, and of course ECDX!! !  The Thistles are an amazing team, not just for being good on track but for being weird and funny yet seriously dedicated too.  I love them all and I’m grateful for their trust and support in my decisions for so long, we definitely achieved what we set out to!  I’m so excited to see where Cider & Stitches lead us next!”

 

Ciderella was elected as the new captain and Lilo and Stitches was elected as the new Vice Captain.

Ciderella has been with ARRG since day one and plays a vital part as blocker and pivot (and sometimes jammer).

Crazylegs: “On a personal note I’m so happy to see Cider take on the C, it’s a natural progression for her after being such a brilliant, funny, tactical genius Vice Captain – she knows the team inside out and has great insight. I can’t wait to see her spreading her wings. I’m very proud of her.”

Stitches has been with the Thistles for a year and is best known for her killer jamming moves.

Ciderella:  “The Thistles’ journey over the last two years has been incredible and I am looking forward to the challenge of taking us even further. I can’t wait to work with Stitches and the rest of the WFTDA skaters! We are going to achieve so much!”

They will be awesome.

 

Hoo-rah! If you came out to see our Home Season Final Double Header, bought some tasty cakes, ultra hot merchandise*, were entranced by the action on the track, in awe of the juking, hitting and formidable walls and it was all you could do not to run up to the skaters and ask how you can join in, then fret no more. There’s a new Fresh Meat session starting in May.

But now that the bout is over, and roller derby fever has subsided, slightly, and you are wondering about taking the plunge into the full-fledged fresh meaty goodness, but are worried about getting all the gear and then for some crazy reason, not wanting to continue, we have something just for you: A Fresh Meat Taster!

There’s now a chance for you to come along and give it a go.

When: Saturday the 20th April
What time: 3-5pm
Where: Jack Kane Centre, Niddrie EH16 4NB
Age requirements: Over 18’s only
Price: £5

Don’t have kit? Don’t worry! All we ask is that you bring your own mouthguard (no one wants to share a mouthguard…) and we’ll provide everything else!

On the day you will be taught some skate skills and given a taste of what the fresh meat programme is like. After, we’ll go to the pub and talk about how amazing derby is.

If you have fun and want to do it FOREVER you’ll be given the chance to sign up to our fresh meat list. The next fresh meat programme is starting on 26th of May.

Interested? Simply send an email to newskaters@auldreekierollerderby.comletting us know what shoe size you are and what knee pad, elbow pad and wrist guard size you fall into, by looking at this guide http://www.sincityskates.com/images/size_charts/pads-sizing-187.pdf

BONUS: You will also be able to buy some of our limited edition fundraising merchandise at this event!

Zillah 23

Home Team Affiliation: Cherry Bombers
Joined ARRG in: Sept 14^th 2008
Favourite position to play: Jammer/Pivot
Best ARRG memory: The Highland Fling game against Glasgow. Actually, they are ALL the best ARRG memory; every single thing I have done with them.
Favourite after skate drink/snack: BEER. Usually because I can’t drink at all a couple weeks before a game.
Worst Derby injury: Does breaking a front tooth count?
Best Derby advice: Even the best skaters out there have bad days or ups and downs and self doubt. Just keep at it and you will do well.
Any funny/embarrassing derby stories? Breaking my tooth.
Derby Hero: First it was Suzy Hotrod. But then I moved on to Kelley Young. But then she retired so it moved to Soulferic Acid. But then SHE retired. Admiral Attackbar is the next big thing. I’m not joking either.
What do you do outside of derby: Sweet FA.
Favourite film of all time: Hackers. “It’s in that place where I put that thing that time?”