It’s official: the new, reshuffled Home Teams rosters for the 2014 Home Season have been announced.
As with the last two Home Seasons, we have new faces and veteran skaters in the mix so it’s shaping up to be a great new season for the The Cherry Bombers, Leithal Weapons and The SkateFast Club. Head over to the teams’ pages to find who’s in which team.
For ARRG Home Season is a massive training event for fresh skaters as well as veteran skaters that is opened to the public. We introduce the new faces to the public while at the same time practising to play alongside each other by playing against each other. Essentially Home Season trains new skaters to progress onto the Cannon Belles and eventually onto the Twisted Thistles. Come and witness the evolution of skaters from the beginning.
Our third Home Season promises to be even more exciting than the previous ones and will be kicking off in January, so keep your eyes peeled for further exciting home league announcements. Of course there will be Season Tickets for all four bouts available again, and maybe even one or four chances to win some free tickets!
As the end of another home season draws nigh, we are really looking forward to the DOUBLE HEADER HOME SEASON FINAL at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday, April 6th.
This time, you get twice the bouting action for your buck, with the Cherry Bombers taking on a special guest team, The Gravehearts. The Gravehearts are made up of a selection of players from Scottish Roller Derby Leagues ranging from local Lothian Derby Dolls to Inverness’s Nasty Nessies, the Dundee Roller Girls, Glasgow Roller Derby, Aberdeen’s Granite City Rollers to the Forth Valley’s Fierce Valley Roller Girls.
After the Cherry Bombers take on the Gravehearts, stick around for the ARRG Home Season Final where The Skatefast Club will battle it out against the Leithal Weapons in what promises to be an epic home season clash of yellows and blues that will perch you on the edge of your seats as the skaters block and juke their way to a home team title. What a main bout it’s promising to be!
Saturday, April 6th at Meadowbank Stadium
12:30 – Doors open
13:00 – Bout 1: Cherry Bombers vs The Gravehearts
15:00 – Bout 2: Leithal Weapons vs The Skatefast Club: THE FINAL
Get your tickets now for £5 each at http://arrghsfinal13-es2.eventbrite.com/ or on the door for £7. Under 14s get in free.
Come along and be sure to visit the merchandise stalls to get your paws on the limited edition East Coast Derby Extravaganza merch and help send the Twisted Thistles to represent Auld Reekie in Philadelphia this June.
They are flighty creatures but we managed to catch up with two of the new Leithal Weapons skaters. Read all about them here!
Princess Die #82
I started roller derby in March 2012; I’d seen a poster for a bout, and I was like ‘aye please’ as I’d seen Whip It! and I really love Ellen Page and Juliette Lewis, and I wanted to be cool like them. I did some research and found out more about ARRG and decided to apply to their fresh meat: they looked like a professional league and I totally like their presentation. I roped my pal Kate into starting with me (she now skates for Leeds Roller Dolls).
I don’t have a why… I guess because I liked the idea of derby; I liked the philosophy and the camaraderie and, in a masochistic way, the idea of being hit for fun. I’d considered boxing before, but had a bit of an issue with being a comparable woman in a predominantly men’s sport. So when I discovered derby, I was like, aye I’ll try that.
I didn’t actually choose my derby name; my friend Kate did. Well, she short-listed it for herself and I was all, ‘I need to be called that!’ so she let me have it.
My goals for this year: To get on the Belles by November, to be a better skater and to get lower! This season I was massively looking forward to having my friends and family come to watch me skate – which they did for the first bout and it was awesome! My mum even came for the first half and she’s NOT a sports fan.
The best thing about ARRG is the coaches. We are so incredibly lucky to be coached by some of the best skaters in the country; in fact, in the world! Their dedication and encouragement is amazing. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it to be a Thistle but I do know that I stand a much better chance by being taught by the best.
Sharlotte Fever #1924I first remember seeing derby on the internet and thought that it looked really exciting and it was maybe something that I could do. I put my name down on a waiting list and kind of forgot all about it. About 6 months after having my son I got an email saying that there was a space on Fresh Meat for me. I was so excited! It was just what I needed: something that was just for me where I could by anything else other than a mum! Derby was an outlet for me, somewhere to breathe and let off steam.
The best thing about ARRG is the fantastic people that I’ve met. ARRG is very inclusive and you’re always made to feel a part of the league. The best thing for me personally is I got to meet my derby wife, Princess Die, who has been an absolute rock for me!
My Clark Kent persona is that I work in social services for the local authority. This is a really rewarding career as I get to promote independence to individuals.
If I could give advice to new skaters it would probably be to never give up on yourself and don’t compare yourself to others. We all progress at different levels.
Saturday 16th February saw the second bout in the Auld Reekie Roller Girls 2013 home season, when the Skatefast Club (SFC) took on the Cherry Bombers (CB) at Meadowbank. It was the debut bout of the season for the Skatefast Club, and the debut game for some of SFC’s new skaters – from the SFC: LUruk-Hai, Slamboyance, and Pope John Brawl;
The Bombers were defeated in bout 1 when they took on The Leithal Weapons, so they were all set to kick some SFC ass. As the bout started, in her debut SFC bout, Zillah stepped up to jam against CB Caitlin. Zillah fired off the line to take lead, scored two points and called off the jam.
Jam 2 saw SFC field Lilo and Stitches as jammer, whilst the Bombers sent in Circuit Breaker. Stitches shot through the pack and scored the first 4 points for the SFC before calling the jam. Jam 3 saw Skinner Alive jamming for SFC, and she was held back spectacularly by Grrsula, Demon Speeding and Et Tu Brutal, but Skinner managed to break the pack and scored another 3 points.
Both teams fought hard throughout the first half, and the Bombers saw some incredible jamming from Teenie Bash, who fought hard and scored well. Caitlin was also a stand out jammer in the first period, getting lead and scoring high. Zillah gained even more points for the Bombers during an amazing powerjam which saw her clear 15 points in a minute and a half!
A few jams later and the SFC was in a powerjam. The wall that Velosidy, Grrrsula and ParaBeat’emAll made was a sight to behold and had to be intimidating to the SFC jammer. But, Mo B Quick made it through though with some offensive help from Bint Imperial, and expertly called the jam off just as Circuit Breaker was released from the bin.
The first period ended with the score at SFC 112 – 22 CB, though not before a tremendous display of ‘how to knock out a whole team’ by Crazylegs.
As we entered the second period, the Bombers were brutalised by Mallory Powers as she landed some serious hits. Jam 25 was another powerjam to the SFC, and Fanny Thunders showed just how good her blocking was as she held Mo B Quick back singlehandedly for long enough to allow Teenie Bash back on track.
Some amazing skating skills followed – Zillah avoided hits with insanely low body swerves, Tartan Tearaway put in some hard slams, Debris Harry caught jammers as they sped away and Slamboyance, Apocalypse Cow and LUruk-Hai made super tight walls.
Towards the end we saw an amazing jamming debut from Pope John Brawl who was given the most stupendous cheer from the crowd as she took lead! Some jammer on jammer action ensued and no points were scored in that jam, and she headed back on for another go.
It all got very exciting as she was sent off, leaving the Bombers in a powerjam…and within 10 seconds, Zillah was sent off and Pope returned to change the powerjam in favour of the SFC. Two more jams saw more points for both teams, but the clock was ticking and as the final whistle blew, the score was set at SFC 251 – 72 CB.
The Bombers fought hard and played well, but the SFC were just too formidable on the day and they took an early lead and kept building points. Both teams were a dream to watch.
The Skatefast Club will next play the Leithal Weapons on March 9th, and then the HOME SEASON FINAL will take place on April 6th where all three teams will be skating: the top two battle it out for the coveted accolade of being Home Season Champions of 2013, while the third placed team will get to play a still unknown yet rumoured particularly interesting Scottish team.
We’ve caught up with three of the new Cherry Bombers and luckily they didn’t bite. Read all about them here!
I started roller derby in Nov. 2010 with the Fair City Rollers (FCR) in Perth; my sister started it before me and dragged me along to watch FCR play Dundee and I was hooked!
My original name was Tinie Temper and after a couple of months, FCR’s Crash Test Mummy told me I should be Teenie Bash and that was it!
When I am not on skates, outside of derby I do karate, work in a carvery and play piano.
I only joined ARRG in July 2012 and I love it! It’s like the biggest family ever and everyone works so hard, not just at practice, but at making the league run as well.
For this season my goal is to work my ass off so I can get a spot on the Thistles!
And a random fact about me that you might never guess: I’m scared of peas!
Para-beat’em-all #62It all started on a girls day in…during some apple crumble consumption we decided to watch Whip It; I’ve had the DVD for months and never got around to it. I’ve never heard of Roller Derby before that day, so after some research and patiently waiting for the next fresh meat to start, the rest is history!
My derby name came in a ‘light bulb’ moment after feeling muscles I’ve not used in years: I could use some Paracetamol…aaaah: ‘Para-beat’em-all.
During the day I’m a mum of one and work in a microbiology lab as a Laboratory Analyst.
I think sucking at something is the first step to being really good at something. Give it a go and you might be pleasantly surprised. The team spirit is the best thing about roller derby and is something ARRG has an abundance of. In the words of some of our most used products: ‘even better, JUST DO IT, because you’re worth it and take care’ (no copyright infringement intended).
I signed up for ARRG’s Fresh Meat on a whim without really knowing what I was getting myself into (to be fair, Whip It! may or may not have had anything to do with it), and have been skating since March 2012. Since then derby has also started to slowly take over my whole life.
There’s not really a story to my name other than I like onomatopoeia, and just added a Grrr to my name. Tada, Grrrsula, though these days I tend to just shorten it.
Outside of derby I have just started a PhD and am busy researching semiotics in advertising, feminism, and marginal women’s sports. Though I would really like to be a cake taster when I grow up.
I am really looking forward to just skating in an actual bout this season, and my goal is to get more of a feel to all the things that go on on track. This is also what I would like to tell people who want to start or have only started: in the beginning everyone is confused as to what is going on on track, and it takes some time for your brain to be able to react to so many things at once. So just give yourself time and don’t lose patience.
The best part of ARRG besides skating and suddenly having this really great group of friends is the ponies!
Come and see them play on 16 February 2013 at 2pm at Meadowbank! Tickets available for £5 (+booking fee) on eventbrite or for £7 at the door.
Meet some of the newest members of the Skatefast Club just in time to see them skate on 16 February!
LUruk-hai #32I started roller derby two years ago in January 2011. I have a friend who had joined Aberdeen’s GCRG league and kept talking about it. I then went to watch Berlin play ARRG back in 2010 and decided to sign up for the next fresh meat!
My derby name is LUruk-hai. I love Lord of the Rings and Uruk-hai’s are cool and bad ass, even if they are the bad guys! I also like that it sounds kind of exotic too.
During the day, my “Clark Kent” persona is spent working for an organisation that supports people with learning disabilities, and I really like it.
This year, I am looking forward to actually bouting and getting more experience. I am also excited about skating with SFC! I like 80s-esque things and the colour yellow (as you will see from my skates).
The main thing I have learnt from roller derby so far is that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. People are different and work and learn at different paces. So don’t give up if you really want to skate.
Some of the best parts of ARRG are learning derby, the change for keeping fit/doing sport (where as I was quite lazy before!) and all the awesome folk you meet and the great friends you make.
And you may not know, but my husband is ARRG announcer Stephen Tawking.
Tell me how/why/when you started Roller Derby.
I been kind of aware of it, then a friend tried it and said I would love it; and I did! I started with a brand new league in November 2009.
Why did you choese your derby name?
I am a permanently, filthy child! and a bit scary!
What is your “Clark Kent” persona (or, what do you busy yourself with outside of derby)?
I don’t do much other than derby these days, but my day job is as a research scientist at the University of Dundee, looking for new treatments for Malaria.
What your goals and what are you looking forwards to this season?
Getting stronger, fitter, harder and gaining better tactical knowledge. I recently transferred to ARRG from a smaller league, partly for the increased physical challenge it would offer, and it’s certainly doing that!
What advice do you have for those thinking about skating or just starting out?
Do it, you’ll surprise yourself!
Finally, what’s the best part of derby and ARRG?
Massive team spirit!
Slamboyance #138I started roller derby at the end of 2011. I’d been to a few bouts with friends and we all thought it looked amaze and wanted to try it, but I was the only one who ended up giving it a go!
I’ll tell the shortened version of the meaning behind my name! I’m hoping that one day i can live up to my name and be able to hit hard and have some fancy flamboyant footwork. Oh, and I’m very partial to a bit of sequin and sparkle!
My goal for home season is to not foul out! And of course to have lots of fun!
I first heard about roller derby a couple of years or so ago. My friend told me that there was this thing we should go to where we’d be taught to skate in the first hour and in the second hour we were to skate around and push people over. I wasn’t particularly keen. After going to see a few bouts and really loving it I decided to sign up, and started Fresh Meat in March 2012. It was a pretty rash decision but I’m really happy I did. And I can confirm that my Fresh Meat training was not at all as my pal had described.
I chose my derby name because I wanted something really really silly. I had a pun-filled couple of months before someone told me to hurry up and pick a name. I sort of regretted it after a while but it’s kind of a part of me and I think I would be confused if my fellow ARRG-ers stopped calling me “Pope”.
This season I most of all want to have fun and to feel like I’m getting better. And hopefully not to spend too much time in the bin (stupid forearms!)
You do need time and serious motivation, but anyone can do derby. When I went to my first FM I had never skated on quads before and I looked terrified. A good friend and great skater said to me “just sort of pretend that you can skate and eventually you will be able to”. I would give that advice to anyone starting out (disclaimer: you do get a lot of very good technical advice too. I just really appreciated this).
Come and see them play on 16 February 2013 at 2pm at Meadowbank! Tickets available for £5 (+booking fee) on eventbrite or for £7 at the door.
Next OPEN try outs for ARRG Home Teams – Sunday 9th September, 11am – Jack Kane Centre
What does this mean?
If you want to become a member of ARRG, Scotland’s first full WFTDA member league and be eligible to play in our exciting home season games, as well as be eligible for our travel team, we are holding open try outs to accept new skaters.
Who can try out?
Anyone who is looking to transfer from another league to ARRG (perhaps you are moving to Edinburgh or near by?)
Anyone who is currently a member of our lovely recreational team – the Wrecking Balls
Anyone who has passed minimum skills but is not currently affiliated to another league
All skaters trying out must have passed their WFTDA minimum skills.
Please contact our Sports & Training Committee for further information or to register your interest by emailing sportsandtraining@auldreekierollerderby.com.
It has been all hands on deck since the last ARRG roundup, so let’s catch you up on the latest.
On 25 March, the Cannon Belles went to Perth to play the Fair City Rollers‘ Fear Maidens. Despite the exceptionally nice Scottish weather, ARRG fans were many and the atmosphere was lovely. The Belles played a strong game, and though the Maidens fought hard, the final score ended up 324 to 65 for the Belles.
Home Season Draws to a close
Shortly after, the Cherry Bombers played against the Skatefast Club to find the opponent for the Leithal Weapons in the final of ARRG’s first home season. We saw formidable skating from both sides, but the Skatefast Club won with 186 to 155. What a great bout!
The final then consisted of a delectable double header. The Cherry Bombers started the evening by playing GRG’s Hell’s Belles, and both sides showed excellent sportswomanship. The final score was 214 to 38 for the Hell’s Belles.
And, finally, it was time for the Skatefast Club to play the Leithal Weapons. The bout was spectacular and had the audience at the edge of their seats more than once. In the end the Leithal Weapons were victorious, despite a skate malfunction from Leithal’s jammer, Admiral Attackbar. The final score was Leithal Weapons 159, and Skatefast Club 126.
The after party was just as memorable as the first home season it celebrated, not least thanks to our hosts at Elbow.
The Home Season awards, voted for by all three teams, went to :
Admiral Attackbar: Best Jammer
Alma Geddon: Best Blocker
Stefanie Skinner: MVP
Eurocrash
Unfortunately, The Skatefast Club’s Crazylegs missed out on the season final fun, but showed her support in a yellow outfit while playing as part of the European All-Stars Invitational Team at ‘Anarchy: Euro Crash‘ in London. The event saw a team made up of the best skaters around Europe, including skaters from Stockholm Roller Derby, Glasgow Roller Derby, Bear City Roller Girls and Stuttgart Vallery Roller Girls.
Crazylegs said about the weekend: ‚‘it was an enjoyable, tough hard fought bout and a pleasure to skate with so many skaters from Euro teams‘.
COWABUNGArrg!
Next on the busy ARRG schedule was an away game against Helsinki Roller Derby‘s All-Star Ninja Turtles. The Twisted Thistles travelled to Helsinki en masse to bout and followed it up by running a boot camp for members of HRD the next day.This was a huge benchmark for the team, as it was the first bootcamp ARRG have ever run, and to great success. The Helsinki girls were massively welcoming and gave us lots of lovely feedback from the weekend, which included a day of of drills, covering agility, packwork, strategy, and a scrimmage.
Watch this space for more news about ARRG bootcamps closer to home!
London Calling!
On 19 May the Thistles were on the road again, this time heading south to London to play the Suffra Jets. The game was great to watch – and the Suffra Jets came away with the win. The final score clocked in at 221 – 103 to the Suffra Jets. However, the weekend was far from over. The Thistles took it easy at the afterparty, because the next day, they played in a WFTDA sanctioned closed-door bout against London’s all star travel team, London Brawling. Brawling, a mighty opponent, fielded their strongest lineup, but ARRG fought for every point and the score ended up 667-18 to Brawling. Though the score differential may have been record breaking, the Thistles rose to the challenge and used the game as a chance to learn and grow as a team. We can’t wait to play them again!
The Belles bout Kent
Just the weekend after, the Cannon Belles played the Kent Roller Girls. The bout was excellent to watch as the scoreline stayed tight throughout the game, but in the end, the Belles came out on top with a win of 216-150.
Awards for ARRG were:
Best Blocker: Bint Imperial
Best Jammer: Lilo & Stitches
MVP: Circuit Breaker
10 to go to Berlin!
This weekend, the Thistles are on the road yet again, travelling to Berlin for a WFTDA sanctioned game on 16 June. The short roster will see a number of newer skaters make their debut, but we are sure they will fit right in and give the Berlin Bombshells all they’ve got!
This won’t be the last time we see Berlin this year, however, as the Twisted Thistles have been accepted to attend the first ever WFTDA sanctioned tournament for European WFTDA teams this November in Berlin. We’ll keep you abreast of any developments with this, but for now, the dates are 16-18 November 2012.
Last but not least…
As always, ARRG will be at the Fringe Festival this year! Catch the Twisted Thistles playing Cardiff’s Tiger Bay Brawlers on 4 August, and witness the Cannon Belles taking on the Dublin Roller Girls on 18 August. Watch this space for more information and to find out where you can find tickets to these unmissable bouts.
Are you addicted to ARRG and want to know the latest first? Then follow us on Twitter or Facebook and always be the first to know! You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/auldreekierollergirls and on Twitter at @AuldReekieRG.
Fancy photographing our bouts? Just drop us on an email here.
It is exciting derby times we live in! Don’t miss any of it! – ARRG xx
