The final twenty skaters that will form the official Roller Derby Team of Scotland have been announced, including six skaters from Edinburgh’s Auld Reekie Roller Girls.

The six Edinburgh women fought off competition from thirty fellow Scottish skaters and battled through an intense six-month selection process which included international fixtures, intense training sessions and assessments to secure a coveted place on Team Scotland.

Skaters Lianne Parry (Crazylegs), Sharlotte Patterson, Rosie Peacock, Alison McNellis (Phoenix), Jess Little and Mandy Davis (Bangers) will now join their fellow teammates in what will be a gruelling twelve-month training period, as they prepare for the 2018 Roller Derby World Cup in Manchester.

The skaters had this to say on their selection to Team Scotland:

Lianne Parry (Crazylegs) said; “I’m just taking it all in – to be selected for one World Cup tournament is a very cool opportunity; to skate in 3 World Cup Tournaments – Toronto 2011, Dallas 2014 and now Manchester 2018 is pretty mind blowing!  I can’t wait to get stuck into team training, the squad looks really strong and we’ve been getting to know each other for the last few months so now the hard work begins.”

Sharlotte Patterson said; “It’s a huge privilege and honour to have been selected as part of the final Team Scotland squad; I remember watching league members going off to play for Scotland years ago and hoping one day that that would be me! Right from the start, skating with Auld Reekie Roller Girls has inspired me to push myself and really focus on my jamming skills. I will be so proud when the World Cup rolls around next year to be able to represent Scotland.”

Mandy Davis (Bangers) said: “I’m very excited to be a part of a strong Scottish team, representing our country at the World Cup in 2018.”

Alison McNellis (Phoenix) said: “Honestly I’m not sure what to say, it’s a shock and a complete honour to be selected. I will put everything I have into the training and world cup. I really can’t wait to share the track with the rest of the team!”

Jess Little said: “I’m hugely excited for the opportunity to play for Team Scotland and to continue training with the squad.”

Rosie Peacock said: “I am so proud of every skater who has made the final twenty for Team Scotland. We have all worked incredibly hard to get to this point, to get to know one another and gel as a team. We’ve already had several opportunities to play internationally and now coming up against team Ireland at EuroClash will present our next challenge and opportunity. I’m very excited about the progression of the team, now we can focus on specific roles and positions on track.” 

The team won’t have time to bask in their achievement as their first challenge comes swiftly in the form Team Ireland who they will face at the EuroClash Tournament in Newcastle on the 25^th & 26^th March.

Stepping in from the Cold by Life Saber  

Since coming to Scotland from sunny Spain over nine years ago I thought I was fully used to the Scottish weather. However, there I was once again on the sofa playing videogames under my blanket. Another dark winter coming… And the low mood continued over the summer and then over autumn and back in winter again: work, sofa, work, sofa, work, sofa…

I kept thinking of getting fit again and improving my social life so I would break this bad cycle. I kept thinking of joining the Auld Reekie Roller Girls, the crazy Roller Derby girls which would inject my life with energy and an active lifestyle again. This thought was liberating. However, at first I was working different shifts so I could not commit to enough training sessions, then time passed and I was getting more and more unfit and my mind kept telling me I was crazy to even think I could attempt to stand on skates.

Then four years later, a week before my birthday, I saw an open taster day advertised again for skating near my house, this was a sign! No more excuses I thought. I have regular shifts now and free time and the training sessions are not too far. I immediately started overthinking, yes again… remembering that I had not skated since I was a child and that I had put on considerable amounts of weight since then! This time, I did not listen to any of that, not even the voice telling me I had the same agility as Pinocchio and would look like Bambi on ice. This time I just got myself to the first taster day and had no clue what I would find there.

What did I find? Well, above all I found my new passion. Many people there were experienced and very passionate about the sport. Others, like myself, were just looking down at their skates and trying to stay up. During the session I laughed, I felt frustrated, I fell various times but also learnt that falling means you are trying new things and pushing yourself. By the end of the session all I could see were smiles and I was committed to push myself and turn my body and mind into something powerful and to be proud of.

I explored a bit further and joined ARRG for their Skate Skills 101 programme to train weekly. That was not enough you see? I also read every single review on the Internet about wheels, skates, skate bags, knee pads etc until I found my first Fresh Meat kit. Nope, I did not stop there either, I booked myself in all social skate sessions and discos coming up and joined various social media pages with info and tips. And my favourite….. stickers, stickers, stickers! Yes, I became addicted.

The training sessions are great! The support we receive from the returning skaters and also the trainers is outstanding and the comradery and banter makes the training more enjoyable. I still remember the first time they lined up some cones and helmets in front of us and just like that, it was time to learn to jump! That was petrifying at first but I will never forget the sense of achievement I felt and the big cheer I got when I jumped those helmets! And when I nailed my first crossover and when I was able to skate one more lap!

Some days if I feel down I remember what I felt when I went to my first Roller Derby match. The teams were so strong, agile and they were having so much fun. The atmosphere was fantastic and very infectious. I enjoyed it so much I am now volunteering for future events and getting involved in as many things as I can. My friends now keep mentioning how I use Roller Derby vocabulary more and more in every conversation!

I find Roller Derby suits me since I have always had a competitive mind and it gives me focus and determination. It is also very convenient because we train indoors so winter cannot get to me there! I had not done any regular exercise for over five years and since joining ARRG in September I can feel I am progressing and my body is changing every day. My friends tell me I look different, more positive and radiant. I do feel different, more empowered and determined. I now have a weekly routine where it is not just training but also a way to feel empowered, strong and have fun.

Inspired by Life’s story? Tempted to give roller derby a go? Do it! Email newskaters@auldreekierollerderby.com for details on our next new intake. 

The Auld Reekie Roller Girls are proud to announce we have graduated to full membership in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, the US-based governing body of world roller derby.

WFTDA is the governing body of flat track derby worldwide, and membership means ARRG can have a say in the collective future of the sport, as well as participate in official rankings and statistics. We’re very excited!!

Currently the only other member league in Europe is the London Roller Girls, but the movement is spreading fast – four UK leagues (including the Glasgow Roller Girls) were accepted into the association’s apprenticeship programme in July 2011, taking their first steps on the road to full member league status.

Between WFTDA membership and our skaters’ participation in Team Scotland for the upcoming Roller Derby World Cup, ARRG is rolling onto the world stage in a big way. It’s an exciting time for Scottish derby!

 

After months of trials and scrimmages in a grueling series of try-outs, the first-ever Team Scotland has announced their final roster of 20 players – and a whopping 9 of them are from Auld Reekie, with one more on the reserve list.

These elite skaters will compete this December in the world’s first Roller Derby World Cup in Toronto, Canada, alongside teams from 12 other nations including England, Ireland and the USA. It’s a huge moment in international roller derby, and with a line-up like this one Scotland is bound to leave a mark – even if that mark is black and blue.

Hearty ARRG congrats to Alma Geddon, Blazin Phoenix, Bronx Betty, Ciderella, Crazylegs, Danger Mouth, Fight Cub, Minnie Riot, Mo B Quick, and VeloSidy (reserve)!

Extra special congrats to Juicy Lucy, veteran ARRG skater who has made the roster for Team England, and to Moxie Emerald, ARRGie at heart, who has made Team Scotland from all the way in Australia! See you in Toronto, Lucy….