Joined ARRG in: 2009

Favourite position to play: Pivot

Best ARRG memory: Listening to Crotch Lightening and Crazylegs on the radio with Mo B Quick, Fay Bentos, Coco Carnage and Coco’s baby. Crazylegs tried to explain to the world that roller derby is indeed a *real sport*. We texted into the show as ‘listeners’ to ask about their favorite athletic snacks, so they could get prawns and avocados into the interview. Then when the host was being a sexist fool we texted in to ask whether they were sick of sexist fools. He didn’t get it – but it didn’t matter because they did and we did and it’s all about us anyway. Like most of roller derby. (Also that baby’s gonna grow up pretty awesome.)

Favourite after skate drink/snack: A spinach, banana, flax and protein powder smoothie. I add avocado on special occasions (i.e. when I have one).

Worst Derby injury: Broken ankle/sanity/spirit.

Best Derby advice: Don’t let what you love about derby be how ‘good’ you were at any given practice. Love something more consistent and worthwhile than that.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories? The part where I prioritize skating around lots over my PhD, partners, job, politics, body… life? Is that embarrassing?

Derby Hero: I’m not into heroes. Or maybe I’m into everyone in ARRG being a hero as well as most people I know. When I started skating I was inspired by Sarah MacMillon from Glasgow, though. She’s good at everything, super athletic, close to home and also a vegan!

What do you do outside of derby: I try to find, learn about, develop, practice and write about radical methods for learning and teaching politics. Sometimes this is with Indigenous people in the Canadian Arctic. Sometimes it is at the University of Edinburgh. (= I’m a PhD student, tutor, lecturer, curriculum developer and research consultant).

 Bruise Leigh is not only a key member of ARRG, she is also the captain of the Cannon Belles for their first outing of 2013, when they will be taking on Austria’s first and only roller derby team: the Vienna Rollergirls at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh.

They’ve bouted in Europe and even on a boat, and now the Vienna Rollergirls they are coming all the way to Edinburgh to play against the Cannon Belles in their travel team’s FIRST EVER UK bout.

You’ll see pitiless hitting, speedy sprinting and awesome strategic play all the while our announcers explain the teams’ tactics and commentate on the action.

Come along at 2pm on Saturday 18th May to witness roller derby in all its fast-paced glory as Auld Reekie’s Cannon Belles take on the opposition, coming all the way from Vienna to play!

We can promise you cakes, thrills, spills, and plenty of awesome merchandise and bargains from Edinburgh’s craftiest ladies and gents so don’t forget your pennies.

And after the bout, come with us to PARTY ARRG at the after party at Fiddler’s Elbow, in York Place from 7PM. Entry is free, but there will be a donations bucket on the door for our ECDX Travel Fund!

 AlbaRoma will be playing! They are an Edinburgh band that combines swing, Balkan and jazz melodies with punk speed and energy, accompanied by left wing ranting, raving and roaring. You can check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/albaroma

Get your bout tickets now and we’ll see you there!

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@arrg.co.ukletting 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!

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.

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?”

You can place your pre-orders in our super snazzy online shop.

There are a few important things to note: all of the online sales are pre-orders and orders need to be made by 15th April. We will then make the merch to order and post it, and you should receive it between 22nd and 26th April.

This merch will also be available to buy at bouts, starting with Anarchy III in Guildford/London on 27th and 28th April, the Thistles vs Hotwheels bout in Huddersfield on 4th May, and the Belles vs Vienna bout at Meadowbank on 18th May.

This is special limited edition merchandise that ARRG are selling to raise funds for ECDX, and once it’s gone it’s gone. Hence if you don’t want to chance your luck and leave empty-handed, pre-order your Party ARRG! merch now!

50 bouts | 3 rinks | 1 weekend

Auld Reekie’s all-star travel team, the Twisted Thistles, have been invited to take part in the East Coast Derby Extravaganza (ECDX) roller derby tournament in Philadelphia, USA, from 28 to 30 June 2013.

This year marks the seventh year of ECDX and will feature ARRG battling it out with the best teams from America, Canada and the UK, in what is one of the biggest events in the derby world. ECDX’13 will be three days filled with 50 bouts happening simultaneously across three rinks, drawing in more than 1,000 skaters and 200+ referees.

As Scotland’s first team to become recognised by WFTDA, Auld Reekie Roller Girls have always worked hard and competed at the highest level and it doesn’t get much higher than bouting with the big girls at ECDX. Fresh from placing fourth in Europe at the Track Queens Tournament in Berlin in November, the Twisted Thistles are guaranteed to be fighting fit and ready to take on the best that Philly’s got to offer.

Keep an eye on the news, like us on Facebook and follow ARRG on Twitter (@AuldReekieRG) for EDCX news and ways that you can get involved with Easyfundraising and help send ARRG to Philly.

We are also accepting direct contributions to our trip via the ‘Donate’ page of our website!

Because, as ARRG Captain Lianne Parry (Crazylegs) said:

“The USA will not know what hit it when Auld Reekie rolls into town.”

Judging by the training footage that has leaked earlier this week, Philadelphia is in for a treat indeed!

]]> http://arrg.co.uk/auld-reekie-roller-girls-are-going-to-america/feed/ 0 http://arrg.co.uk/meet-the-new-leithal-weapons/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meet-the-new-leithal-weapons http://arrg.co.uk/meet-the-new-leithal-weapons/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:36:03 +0000 Grrrsula http://arrg.co.uk/?p=924 Continue reading →]]> 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 ‘hell yes’ as I’d seen Whip It! and thought it looked awesome. 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. I tend to rebel against conformity and the royal family is the epitome of conventionality and I am very contrary. Though, now I am worried that prince Harry will find it offensive and therefore not want to marry me, thus ruining my dream of being Kate Middleton’s underdog heir.

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 #1924

I 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 16^th 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;

Copyright (c) David Robertson

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.

Copyrights (c) Scott Carroll

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.

Copyright (c) Scott Carroll

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 6^th 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.

Copyright (c) Scott Carroll

Teenie Bash #208

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 #62

It 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).

Grrr #0815

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. 

LUruk-hai #32

 I 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.

Terrifying Tink #802

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 #138

I 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!

Pope #264

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.