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, and the recently formed Cannon Belles.

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!

Breaking News!

Auld Reekie Roller Girls (ARRG), Edinburgh and Lothian’s Roller Derby League, are delighted to announce their acceptance onto the apprentice program of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

WFTDA is an internationally recognised cooperative effort to advance women’s flat track roller derby worldwide. ARRG are the first Scottish league, and only the second UK league to be accepted as WFTDA apprentices. As such they will be matched with a veteran member league who will guide them in the processes and requirements necessary to become a full member of the Association. Additionally, their mentor will offer advice and information related to the management and development of ARRG.

Roller Derby is a grassroots, DIY sport, operating on the philosophy of ‘by the skaters for the skaters’, and this acceptance is recognition of all the hard work put in by ARRG’s members since the league’s inception in 2008.

Skater and ARRG board member Lianne Parry, aka Crazylegs, said today:
“We’re so happy and excited about this opportunity. We are constantly working hard to make our league the best it can be and to be recognised by WFTDA is a huge reward. This amazing organization will provide us with guidance, regulations, sisterhood and the opportunity to compete with the best roller derby athletes in the world. We are privileged to have this opportunity to work with them, especially as we are still such a young league.”

ARRG have had a lot of help getting to this stage, and would especially like to thank:
Madame de Stompadour from Minnesota Roller Girls, for being the most awesome and determined roller derby sister ever. Frau Scientits and the rest of the Minnesota Roller Girls for writing such an amazing recommendation letter it made us cry. London Roller Girls who have basically paved the way for everyone else in the UK, they helped us a lot when we started out, have been there for us since, and have given invaluable advice on the apprenticeship. Bloody Mary and Holly Gohardly on the WFTDA yahoo group, for all their help answering our many, many questions about the program application. The UK Roller Derby community, for existing! All our fabulous members, refs, skaters and fans who keep the machine so well oiled and make ARRG a joy to be a part of. And finally to our very own Zillah and Cherry Fury, who have tirelessly seen to all the little details that mere humans cannot see, and without whose hard work we would not be announcing this fantastic news.

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 which range from Teachers to Editors to Scientists to Computer Programmers to Musicians!

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? 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* which we have every 9 weeks where you can meet the girls, 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 only £5 so 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!