Named after the city of Edinburgh, affectionately known as ‘Auld Reekie’ (Scots for Old Smoky), The Auld Reekie Roller Girls were formed in April 2008 to become Edinburgh’s first women’s flat track roller derby team. From modest origins, where a handful of girls got together to discuss this new and exciting sport, 40 girls turned up to the second meeting, and the league has gone from strength to strength ever since. Run as a ‘not for profit’ committee based sports group, ARRG is keen to promote fun, fitness, equality and friendship for women of all ages (over 18), who are interested in trying something new and exciting.
Although all of our members are unique in their own way, we have a shared goal in seeking continuous improvement in our sport and we’re committed to democratic principles, teamwork and sportswomanship. We encourage diversity and self expression, and above all value the fun of taking part in roller derby bouts all over the UK and hopefully further afield.
After just 6 months of learning how to roller skate, ARRG have enjoyed organising and skating in numerous bouts – both closed and public. We are also proud to have skated against some of the best during the Euro tournament Roll Britannia in 2009 (with a very respectable placing!) and to have travelled to Berlin to take part on the first European Organisational Roller Derby Conference. ARRG are keen to form close relationships with other leagues throughout the world.
ARRG currently has two bouting teams – the Twisted Thistles (our travel team), and the recently formed Cannon Belles. We also hold twice yearly intra-league bouts at home in Edinburgh for which our league is split into two warring tribes – the Highland Heathens and Celtic Chaos.
Currently averaging at around 40-50 members, ARRG has developed a strong identity within the roller derby community and is keen to create and maximise opportunities for promoting awareness of the sport and encouraging new people to come along and join us. ARRG are always keen to accept new members, whether you want to join the teams or learn to referee and get fit in the process, we’ll be happy to have you - male refs are more than welcome to join us too! Come along and pay us a visit!
Roller derby is an action packed, all female, full-contact sport on quad skates. It is played on an oval track at high speeds and has been compared to a wheeled version of British Bulldogs, with teams made up of 14 kick ass women!
A bout lasts one hour made up of two periods, with each period divided in to a series of jams which last a maximum of 2 minutes. At the start of each jam, each team has five players on the track: 1 jammer (point scorer) who wears a star pantie (helmet cover) and 4 blockers (defensive/offensive players) one of the blockers wears a striped pantie, this shows that she is the pivot. The pivot controls the pace of the pack and tells her players what tactics to employ. The other 3 blockers make up the pack and have to stop the opposing jammer whilst assisting their own.
When a jam begins the pack assemble at the start line with the jammer for each team lining up 20 feet behind the pack. The pack starts skating on the referee’s first whistle, and the jammers sprint on the double whistle. The jammers try to make it through the pack, skate a full lap and enter the pack again. When they re-enter the pack, they score points for each opposing blocker they legally pass. Blockers and pivots will do everything within their means to stop the opposing jammer- booty blocks, shoulder barges and body checks! Of course the lovely referees try and sustain law and order, ensuring any naughty roller girls get sent straight to the sin bin! Skaters must not use their forearms, elbows, anywhere below mid thigh or head to block or hit other players. When aiming to block an opposing player, the front of their body from shoulders to mid thigh is fair game!
Last but not least - derby is fun!
Members of the Auld Reekie Roller Girls are very busy doing their derbytastic skating and assisting in the running of their league. When not doing this, ARRG have a number of different activities.
Pretty much all the members of ARRG love the ‘AULD HOOSE’ (http://www.theauldhoose.co.uk/). This is where we have our meetings on Sundays and manage to munch down a huge amount of ‘Nachos Grande’, beer, Sunday roast dinners and scampi. We also hang out at Bannerman’s (http://www.myspace.com/bannermanslive) and um....party it up on a fairly regular basis. On fridays after practices we like to go to The Regent Bar in Abbeyhill as well. They rock.
ARRG members play in bands, make beautiful clothes and jewellery, teach art, fix bikes and enjoy thinking about surreal numbers!
Once in a while ARRG even get time to go to our day jobs! Here are a few stories from derby girls that would just LOVE to tell you what they get up to on their days off! (you know I mean days off from derby right?). This is just a very small example of what some of us get up to!
So you want to be a roller girl? You’ve come to the right place!
ARRG are always keen to welcome new members to their growing derby family.
Don’t know how to skate? Don’t have a pair of skates? Doesn’t matter!
All we ask is that you are female, over 18 and eager to learn!
Come along to one of our *Fresh Meat Sundays* on the last Sunday of every month where you can meet the girls, borrow skates and protective equipment, enjoy some basic skating tuition from friendly roller girls and meet your new obsession... Roller Derby. After lots of eight-wheeled fun you can retire with ARRG to the Auld Hoose pub for refreshments and lovely derby chat. If you need more encouragement: Fresh Meat Days are FREE to all first-timers, what are you waiting for?!
Once you've been bitten by the derby bug you can attend our special, dedicated, tailor made Beginners Practices every Sunday.
Once you pass your minimum skills (assessed by our dedicated Sports and Training Committee, and set down by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association – check out http://www.wftda.com) you are ready to become a full member and enjoy all the benefits of being part of ARRG!
For more information on coming along contact everyone@newskaters.arrg.co.uk
And join our forum http://www.arrg.co.uk/forum where you can chat to the girls and find out more about the wonderful world of Roller Derby with hints on skates, wheels, equipment, what to wear, the rules, training tips, safety, choosing your derby name and a whole lot more!
Want to be involved in other ways? ARRG are ALWAYS looking for referees, jeerleaders, score girls, penalty trackers, score-keepers, stall-holders, design geniuses, accountants and lawyers so don't delay, join ARRG today!
ARRG look forward to seeing you on track!
