Phil tells us all about their journey so far in training to become a referee and the fun they’ve been having! If officiating is something that you would like to do, then email officials@auldreekierollerderby.com and they will give you all the information you need.

Hi, my name is Phil and I’m training to become a Referee with Auld Reekie Roller Girls just now. It’s taken me quite some time to get this far, but the journey has been fun!

I have just completed my first block of Skate Skills 101 (AKA Fresh Meat), where I’ve been learning how to skate, how to brake, how to jump and how to fall – and had a blast doing so! It has not only been great for my skating abilities but also my confidence, and the fun we’ve had as a group made these 14 weeks so memorable and entertaining. I have also been going along to practice scrimmages where I’ve been learning the importance of Non-Skating Official (NSO) roles and getting to see the game played up close. There is also a group that meets before scrims where I have had the opportunity to learn the rules of the game with others, which has been a great way of getting to grips with the technical side and figuring it out together, rather than studying the rules or watching YouTube videos in isolation.

It seems that for a lot of people Roller Derby is their first engagement in sport since they were at school – this is absolutely the case for me. To be honest for some time I didn’t see myself getting beyond watching bouts being played. I was interested in and enjoyed skating, and would go to Sk8ercise classes and roller discos, but whenever a friend would suggest I go to Skate Skills I would come up with an excuse, usually a legitimate one, but an excuse nonetheless. The problem I’ve always had is I’m simply not a competitive person (well I am, but only with myself) and when I finally used this excuse with my friend they replied with an answer I couldn’t wriggle out of: ‘Then you should ref!’ and that was the moment I knew there might be a place for me in Roller Derby.

This first round of Skate Skills I was mainly focussing on the basics of skating, and that has paid off. I had been skating for about a year and a half before I felt confident enough to give this a try and these past weeks of Skate Skills have made me a far better skater. I’ve still plenty to learn, but that’s what keeps it fun, and now that I feel more comfortable on eight wheels I can spend more time on the game theory.

The appeal for so many will naturally be playing on a team, and why wouldn’t it be? It must be so exhilarating to be the Jammer, perhaps you like the idea of the multifaceted nature of the Pivot, or the team(pack?)work of a Blocker – without them you don’t have a team. But without the NSOs, without the Referees you don’t have a game, and without technicians, announcers, stall vendors and ticket sellers you don’t have an event. The biggest, most surprising thing I learned is just how many people it takes for a bout to even happen.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you’re interested in the game, but playing isn’t your thing, there is a very good chance there is a place for you. While learning to ref (and to skate!) I am having a great time

NSOing – each time I try a new role it seems daunting and intimidating at the start and I wonder how the game can function without somebody in whatever role that might be. It’s a great way to learn the game up close and the truth is you pick up the roles in no time and it gives you such a greater understanding of and appreciation for the workings of the game (End of sales pitch!).

At the time of writing I’ve just begun my second round of Skate Skills, I’m looking forward to NSOing in an upcoming ARRG bout and enjoying meeting more and more awesome people brought together by the madness that is Roller Derby. As I am in the somewhat unique situation of being the only male in Skate Skills at ARRG at present, I sometimes get asked what it’s like training with a female team. All I can do is enthuse at what a fantastic experience it has been so far, it has been a supportive, encouraging and friendly environment. I don’t think I’ve felt as part of a group before in my adult life. As for learning how to ref, there are loads of great resources online, the guys at ARRG have been fantastic at answering questions, the pre-scrims group is super useful and I’ve also recently picked up the boardgame ‘Impact City Roller Derby’, as it’s sometimes good to see how the rules work within a bout at a less chaotic pace! But the next real step is to complete the Minimum Skill Requirements, wish me luck…

Last month, we got some excellent news: one of our long-time referees and excellent ARRG-er all round, Cherry Fury, was awarded her Level 2 WFTDA refereee certification!

As we were so excited to have a WFTDA certified ref in our ranks, we decided to ask Cherry a couple questions about her experiences, her reffing life to date and any of the tips she’s picked up along the way!

When did you join ARRG?

I was at the first meeting in Bannermans, April 2008. I’m the one in the photos with the dodgy pony tail and red scarf, standing next to the pool table. I was completely unaware of the significance and impact that meeting would have on my life.

How did you decide to become a ref?

I like to think officiating found me, but in truth I don’t remember exactly. I knew I wanted to be involved with ARRG, and the wider roller derby world. Officiating appealed more to my neurotic and obsessive tendencies. It also allows me to travel more often than a career in competitive skating would allow, because I’m not limited to one team.

Having said that, I’ll always remember my first public bout as a skating official, thanks to Lincolnshire Bombers. It was the longest bout in history and I had a hard time! Working with Birchingbomb, angri-la, Slice Andice and Fox Sake inspired me to persevere with the challenge. To quote a lovely LRG announcer, I guess I had to “man up, grow a moustache and get on with it”! Thanks Hyps.

What sort of work did it take to become WFTDA certified as a referee?

It takes a lot of work, effort and commitment to earn the WFTDA ref cert. There are no shortcuts for anyone, no matter where in the world they are. Opportunities to crew WFTDA regulation or sanctioned bouts in Europe are becoming more frequent, but officials in the US still have to travel across their state, or even the country, to gain the required evaluations.

It’s true you must collect evaluations, which is a tough and integral part of the process, and skating skills and rules tests are critical, but it’s not as simple as officiating a number of bouts and passing some tests. You get what you put in. Consistency was my priority when working on my application. It took me around 14 months from deciding to work towards it until receiving my certification. Of course I had to travel to crew  applicable evaluated bouts, but I also had to behave like the WFTDA official I wanted to be at every single moment.

You have a level of control over the outcome of the rules and skating tests – they’re hard, but they’re pass or fail. There’s nothing to say a submitted evaluation is a positive one. So you have to treat every bout, every crew meeting and every second you are involved with a bout as if you are being evaluated. It all counts, and is all considered.

We hear you also regularly ref men’s derby – what are the differences
between reffing the two genders?

It’s the same game, same track, same rules for male, female, and co-ed bouts (sometimes extending to boutfit styles!). Every bout I work is a challenge. To me there is no difference. When I stand at the track I don’t see men or women, I see colours and numbers. Everyone has a place in roller derby, and we are lucky to have such diversity in our sport.

What are your derby plans for the future?

Officiating makes me happy, and I’d like to keep doing what makes me happy; working with new leagues, debating the finer points of rules with my peers, and supporting the development of European officiating. I’d like to work towards a culture where completing post-bout evaluations for officials is second nature. I’d like to widen the support offered to all leagues, to increase the understanding that officiating is vital to the sport’s development. I’d like to maybe go further, and ask developing leagues to include recognition of this in their policies, particularly as it applies to team captaincy, referees and NSOs.

Working towards my WFTDA level 3 and maintaining my MRDA official’s patch is a priority. The year between applications is an excellent opportunity to improve my existing skills and learn new ones. Working with other officials and experiencing new challenges is my way of doing this – feedback is like catnip to me.

And of course, travel. I’m very lucky I get to travel, so I’ll be looking forward to Spring Roll, Euro Crash, a weekend with Helsinki Roller derby, trips to Berlin and London. I hope to make the crew for the MRDA champs and the Berlin Tournament in December. I’m very excited about the Men’s European Roller Derby championships in July!

What is your favourite rule?

I have two favourite rules: 2.2.2 and 9.3.1.2. They demonstrate that when officiating we must keep play safe, fair and never impact or impede the game. We do a great job when no-one notices us doing it.

What’s the best thing about being a ref?

Being part of a great crew. Officials are a unique community, and it’s a great experience learning and working with others. We support each other, whether it’s trying to skate better, learning the latest rule updates, or just keeping each other smiling though tough times.

Have you got any top tips for any new refs out there?

Be the official you want to be – at all times. Be consistent. Be open to feedback. There is no perfect bout. Every bout is a learning experience – take the lessons to the next bout one. Keep smiling and let the game come to you.

What is your best ref experience to date?

I’ve been so lucky to be involved in many great events with awesome people. At the Roller Derby World Cup I got to work with some amazing officials. I learned a hell of a lot and it really helped me improve. Last year’s MRDA championships was another benchmark – the level of skating and officiating changed my approach and helped me step up a level.

Thanks to Cherry Fury for all her reffereeing and for answering our questions!