Apparently this was in the Edinburgh napier News - not got a link yet but if anyone finds it let me know! - a little interview featuring 'Lianne' and 'Jill'...
Auld Reekie Roller Girls face a Berlin Wall
by Gail Pickering
Edinburgh's very own women’s flat track roller derby team are gearing up for one of their most exciting matches to date, as they face the Berlin Bombshells at Meadowbank this weekend.
The Auld Reekie Roller Girls (ARRG), who were formed in April 2008, have come a long way in just two and a half years; the team were recently accepted onto the international Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WTFDA) apprentice programme, a massive achievement as they are only the second British team to be given this opportunity.
Skater and ARRG board member Lianne Parry, who's known to her teamates as Crazylegs, explained the importance of this development: "We're proud because we're still quite young as a derby league and it means that hopefully we can play against some American/Canadian leagues in the future! It proves that we've got a good solid management and training structure in place and a real commitment to furthering the sport". Lianne is confident that it won't be too long until the team become full members. She explained, "We've been partnered up with Arizona Roller Derby who are now mentoring us to help us grow and improve, we really value their help because they were one of the first leagues to set up in America. We are now eager to become full members and we're looking forward to graduating and becoming full members as soon as we can!"
Their next game, billed 'Blockenspiel', is set to take place on Saturday afternoon. It is the first time the ARRG have faced the German side and Lianne explained that although she feels the teams are well matched the girls are "feeling well prepared, strong, excited and a little bit confident". Previous matches have attracted up to 700 supporters and skater Jill Steen (aka Fight Cub) hopes there will be a strong crowd behind them on the 20th. "There is nothing better than hearing the crowd stamp their feet and scream at you while you're playing. It is the most thrilling and exciting feeling knowing there are hundreds of eyes on you and that all these people are as excited as you are out there on track! Our audience play a huge part in our performance and they are adored by all of us," she said. Lianne added: The adrenaline rush we get from our fans is amazing."
Doors at Meadowbank stadium open at 2pm on Saturday, tickets are priced at £6 in advance (£7 on the door) and kids under 14 can watch the girls in action for free. The team are a friendly bunch so if you are interested in getting involved or learning more about the Auld Reekie Girls, pay them a visit at
www.arrg.co.uk
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