Scottish Roller Derby Blog (Posts about roller derby bootcamps)

Non-US/Canadian Derby Roundup: 8th/9th December Edition

aoanla — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 16:31:46 GMT

We’re bringing you another roundup of the upcoming Roller Derby this weekend from across the world. As always, we’re using Flat Track Stats for much of this information – for regions with less good coverage, we also do a bit of intensive searching using a tool which scans the Facebook events of Roller Derby leagues known to Derby Listing.

Predictions of bouts are from FTS, if possible, and from our own SRD Rank where FTS cannot make predictions (for example: Latin America, or non-MRDA men’s bouts). (SRDRank also has recent WFTDA rankings, including the 31st June ranking, as well as SRDRank, and allows you to make predictions from them.)

If we’ve missed you from our roundup, please let us know! [Or add yourselves to FTS and/or Derbylisting]

We're trying a new colour coding this week, to differentiate BOUTS from RECRUITMENTS and OPEN SCRIMs, and BOOTCAMPs.

Scotland

Scotland is a little quieter this weekend, as Christmas approaches. There's still a chance to get some track time in Aberdeen on Thursday though.

Wed, Edinburgh: Edinburgh's first Junior Derby team, the Boardwalk Bombs practices and recruits at The Boardwalk, every Wednesday [EVENT]
Thurs, Aberdeen: Granite City Roller Derby host an Open (WFTDA-gender) Scrim, free for first time attendees. Visiting officials also welcome. [EVENT]
Thurs, Dumbarton: Chicks in Bowls Scotland host Quad Meet sessions [6-10pm, Unit23 Skatepark][EVENT]
Fri, Dundee: Dundee Roller Derby host their annual Christmas Party, celebrating the end of the year and season, including a quiz! [EVENT]
Fri, Edinburgh: Auld Reekie Roller Derby host their end of year Awards Night for 2018! [EVENT]
Fri, Glasgow: Glasgow Men's Roller Derby's ongoing new skater intake continues every Friday, for the foreseeable future! [EVENT]
Fri, Grangemouth: Bairn City Rollers rolling recruitment continues in their Friday sessions. Open to all genders. [EVENT]
Glasgow: Resistance Roller Derby, Glasgow's Junior Roller Derby club for queer and trans young people continue their training sessions open to new skaters and existing. [EVENT Flyer]
Sun, Aberdeen: Chicks in Bowls Scotland host a Sunday Skate followed by a park skate outside [Transition Extreme Sports] [EVENT]
Tues, Aberdeen: Chicks in Bowls Scotland host a regular Quad Meet (Transition Extreme) [EVENT]

United Kingdom

Across the rest of the UK, there's a host of bouts, even a week into December, even if most are charity style events.

Thurs, Newcastle upon Tyne, England: Newcastle Roller Girls host a Christmas Movie Pub Quiz [EVENT]
Fri, Lincoln, England: Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Derby also host a festive event, with their Christmas Party closing out the year [EVENT]
Fri, Bridgend, Wales: Bridgend Roller Derby host a "Christmas Family Skate" [EVENT]
Oxford, England: Oxford Roller Derby host their "Grinchmas Games", a pair of open-subs games, raising funds for SAFE [EVENT]
- WFTDA-gender Rookie game
- OTA Intermediate/advanced game
Portsmouth, England: Portsmouth Roller Wenches host their last fixture of the year, an A/B double header [EVENT]
- Portsmouth Roller Wenches A versus North Devon Roller Derby A [FTS]
- Portsmouth Roller Wenches B versus North Devon Roller Derby B [FTS]
Merthyr Tydfil, Wales: Merthyr Roller Derby host a pre-Christmas Roller Derby Sevens tournament to close out the year. (No real details on teams yet...) [EVENT]
- teams?
Wrexham, Wales: North Wales Roller Derby complete the year with their regular Christmas Scrim event, a double header of scrims [EVENT]
- OTA Rookie Scrim
- WFTDA-gender Intermediate/Advanced Scrim
Sun, Birmingham, England: the Crash Test Brummies host "A Smashing Good Time", a festive open scrimmage, Open To All genders. [EVENT]
Sun, Cambridge, England: Cambridge Rollerbillies have a stall at the Last Gang's Alternative Xmas Market, a closed market supporting local and home-grown vendors. [EVENT]
Sun, Eastbourne, England: Eastbourne Roller Derby host their annual Christmas Scrim, with three different scrim types [EVENT]
- OTA scrim
- WFTDA-gender scrim
- Juniors scrim
Sun, Guildford, England: Surrey Roller Girls host their 7th Birthday Bash, especially open to all people in the community who've played SRG this year. Event includes roller disco, party games, stalls, potluck picnic and more! [EVENT]
Tues, Whitchurch, England: Basingstoke Bullets host a Tuesday Xmas Fun Skate event, Open To All, fancy dress encouraged [EVENT]
Wed, Swansea, Wales: Swansea City Roller Derby host their Christmas open scrim, open to WFTDA-gender-policy, mins-passed skaters [EVENT]

Europe

The French National tournament continues to roll on, with the second Nationale 1 fixture of the current season this weekend. There's also huge amounts of Roller Derby across all of Europe, especially in Helsinki and Stockholm... a German Bundesliga fixture, and a pair of Belgian Champs fixtures. There's even two big bootcamps! [And Derby in Moscow is recruiting!]

Thurs, Prague, Czech Republic: the Hard Breaking Dolls host the first of 5 open training sessions, for interested potential competitive skaters, referees or NSOs. (Skaters limited to WFTDA-gender policy.) [EVENT]
Thurs, Helsinki, Finland: Chicks in Bowls Helsinki host a Shred Day in collaboration with Helsinki Roller Derby. This includes multiple sessions, with beginners' and more advanced workshops, gear talk, and "games and competitions". [EVENT]
Thurs, Moscow, Russia: Rollerciraptor Roller Derby Moscow host their first open-recruitment into a training series! Open under WFTDA-gender to all interested skaters. [EVENT Flyer]
Fri, Tallinn, Estonia: Tallinn Roller Girls continue to host their open training sessions on Fridays for all interested attendees. [EVENT]
Fri, Tartu, Estonia: Tartu Roller Derby also continue their open training sessions for all interested attendees. [EVENT]
Fri, Karlsruhe, Germany: Roller Derby Karlsruhe host the last of their Scrimmage Nights, open to "female only" skaters. [EVENT]
Fri, Rome, Italy: the She-Wolves of Roller Derby Roma are giving a demonstration at the Love 80s 90s 00s event hosted by Free Unicorns events. [EVENT]
Fri, Rotterdam, Netherlands: Rotterdam Roller Derby host an "Open Holiday Scrimmage", the first of three (one each Friday before Christmas). We think these are OTA, and are also open to NSOs. [EVENT]
Fri, Farsta, Sweden: Stockholm Roller Derby host their Christmas home teams finale, with a Harry Potter theme [EVENT]
- Death Eaters versus Aurors (home teams)
Vienna, Austria: Vienna Roller Derby host an A/B Doubleheader to close their season and year [EVENT]
- Vienna Beasts (Vienna B) versus Liverpool Roller Birds B [FTS]
- Vienna Oysters (Vienna A) versus Liverpool Roller Birds A [FTS]
Gent, Belgium: Go-Go Gent host a single header event, as part of the Belgian Championships! [FTS tournament][EVENT]
- Go-Go Gent versus Holy Wheels Menace (Liège A)
Prague, Czech Republic: Prague City Roller Derby host their regular pre-Christmas open charity event. As always, Open To All genders, and to all skill levels (mins-passed). [EVENT]
- Santas versus Grinch
Aalborg, Denmark: Aalborg's Combat Bullies bring a festive double header to celebrate the season and a new venu [EVENT]
- WFTDA-gender open-subs bout : All The Jingle Ladies versus The Fa La La La La Llamas
- OTA open-subs Sevens game: Pain Deers versus The Tree Rex´s
Helsinki, Finland: After their ramp work on Thursday, Helsinki Roller Derby host an end of year Tournament, the Best Hits 2018! [EVENT]
- Helsinki ALpakka (Helsinki X) versus Åbo B-ajas (Dirty River B | Turku) [FTS]
- Helsinki Juniors (Helsinki J) versus Vakaat aikuiset ( )
- Åbo B-ajas versus HC Ässat (Kallio Rolling Rainbow + Lappeenranta)
- Helsinki ALpakka versus HC Ässat
Sat-Sun, Grenoble, France: The Cannibal Marmots host the next Championnat de France Nationale 1 fixture [FTS tournament][EVENT]
- Cannibal Marmots (Grenoble) versus Faux Soyeuses (Lyon United)
- Bloody Skulls (Marseille) versus DDCLM All Stars (Montpellier)
- Les Harpies Braqueuses (Pibrac) versus La Horde (Orcet)
- Cannibal Marmots versus Bloody Skulls
- Faux Soyeuses versus DDCLM All Stars
- Bloody Skulls versus Les Harpies Braqueuses
- Cannibal Marmots versus La Horde
- "Demo and signup for Handi-hockey"
Sat-Sun, Saint-Etienne, France: The Green Harpies and Green Go host the "Green Winter Bootcamp", a two-day bootcamp with intermediate skater sessions (coached by Pepe Le Punch and Paris' YAS), NSO beginners sessions (coached by Paris' Polo Kiwi), and Referees intermediate sessions (coached by Paris' Watze). [EVENT]
Nancy, France: Wheel Spirit Roller Derby host a festive double header [EVENT]
- Wheel Spirit (Nancy) versus Les Flèches Revêches (Dijon) [FTS]
- Roller Derby Metz Club versus Les Baronnes von Schlass (Lille B) [FTS]
Darmstadt, Germany: Riot Rollers Darmstadt host a Double Header, including a Bundesliga Division 2 bout [FTS tournament][EVENT]
- Riot Rollers Darmstadt A vs Zombie Rollergirlz (Münster) [Bundesliga D 2]
- Riot Rollers Darmstadt B vs Splatter Fairies (Marburg) [FTS]
Frankfurt, Germany: Bembel Town Rollergirls host an OTA, Advanced-level, bootcamp, run by Glasgow Men's Roller Derby's Rosie Peacock and Optimus Grime! [EVENT]
Stuttgart, Germany: Stuttgart Valley Roller Derby host a single header to finish the year [EVENT]
- Bad Seeds (Stuttgart B) versus Bloody Wheels (Torino/Turin) [FTS]
Padova, Italy: The Criminal Bullets co-host their regular "Festival of the Madonna" event with ASD Quadrato Meticcio Women's Football. This is a party event but also includes a debate on "women for sport, sport for women", and celebrates feminist sport in general. [EVENT]
Vicenza, Italy: The Anguanas host a double header to finish their season, with two games for their B team in one event! This is also being run as a Pride event. [EVENT]
- The AnguanASS B-side (Vicenza B) versus Fearless Bruisers (Innsbruck) [FTS]
- The AnguanASS B-side versus Bone-Crushing Hyenas (Bologna) [FTS]
Heerlen, Netherlands: Roller Derby Liège and Les Vî-Kings host a Belgian Championships Men's tier fixture across the border... [FTS Tournament][EVENT]
- Vî-Kings (Liège M) versus Manneken Beasts (Brussels M)
Farsta, Sweden: The Royal Swedish Roller Derby host their final fixtures of the season, with both intra- and inter-league games [EVENT]
- The Royal Brigade (Royal Swedish B | Stockholm) versus Nerike Knockouts (Örebro) [FTS]
- Brass Knuckle Harlots versus The Slayer Sisters (home teams)
Halmstad, Sweden: Chicks in Bowls Halmstad host a Meet Up at the Halmstad Skateboardkubb [EVENT]
Sun, Aix-en-Provence, France: Les Amazones host a festive double-header "Star pass ou ça casse" [EVENT]
- Les Amazones (Aix A) versus Lutéce Destroyeuses (Lutéce B | Paris) [FTS]
- Les Valkyries (Aix B) versus Gap/Montpellier mixed team
Sun, Angers, France: Anjou Derby Girls host Jingle Beigne, a Roller Derby Sevens tournament, with four festive teams [EVENT]
- teams:
Sun, Besançon, France: The Voodoo Vixens host a "Bootcamp à la fresh" - that is, a bootcamp aimed at pre-mins and rookie skaters [EVENT]
Sun, L'Houmeau, France: Roller Derby La Rochelle host a triple-header event to end the year [EVENT]
- Cheeky Dolls (La Rochelle A) versus UB (open subs team)
- Sombres Héros ( ) versus Rillettes Chili Peppers (Le Mans) [FTS]
- Charogne Maritime ( ) versus Mortale Condate (Rennes B) [FTS]
Paris, France: les Gueuses de Pigalle host an open scrimmage event with extras for the season [EVENT]
Sun, Arnhem, Netherlands: Arnhem Fallen Angels host a double header event [EVENT]
- Arnhem Fallen Angels versus Rockcity Rollers High Voltage (Eindhoven B) [FTS]
- Black v White mixed teams
Mon, Warsaw, Poland: Worst Warsaw's Open recruitment continues for interested potential members in any roles! [EVENT]
Wed, Ostrava, Czech Republic: Trojhali Ostrava Roller Derby continue their open training and rolling recruitment [EVENT]

Pacific

Australia and New Zealand host mostly Christmas events, with Japan also hosting their regular seasonal scrim.

Fri, North Hobart, TAS, Australia: Convict City Roller Derby League host the 7th and final home season bout for the year. [EVENT]
- Debut skaters game?
Fri, Tauranga, New Zealand: Moana Roller Derby host their Christmas Open Scrim, limited to WFTDA gender policy (and with Christmas costumes encouraged). Donations to Tauranga Women's Refuge will be collected. [EVENT]
Urangan, QLD, Australia: the Red Hot Chilli Rollers host a family Christmas skate party with "very special guest", and all the accoutrements of an Australian party (including sausage sizzle). [EVENT]
Devonport, TAS, Australia: Van Diemen Rollers host "Wreck The Halls", a double header to bring the season to a close [EVENT]
- United Tasmanian Roller Derby Mixed-gender (OTA) bout
- Gangster Wrappers versus Ho Ho Hos (Van Diemen Home Teams bout)
Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Chicks in Bowls Melbourne host the third of their Beginners Ramps Workshops. [EVENT]
Albany, WA, Australia: Albany Roller Derby League end their season with a single header and fun [EVENT]
- "Potluck" open-subs WFTDA-gender game
- Food, bar, awards (end of year awards?)
Sun, Gladstone, QLD, Australia: Gladstone Roller Derby host a relaxed season closer with BBQs heavily featured. [EVENT]
Sun, Carrum Downs, VIC, Australia: South Sea Roller Derby host their Christmas Special edition of Derby & Chill, their regular multi-level open scrimmage and social skate events [EVENT]
- Christmas-themed social skate
- Red (no-contact) scrimmage
- Amber (low-contact) scrimmage
- Bouting full-contact scrimmage
Sun, Zushi, Kanagawa, Japan: Yokosuka Sushi Rollers host the 2018 Season's Beatings, their annual scrimmage / mini-bouts event for the end of the year! Open to All genders [EVENT]

Latin America

There's derby in Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina this weekend, at least (we find it hardest to keep up with events in Latin America, so we appreciate being told what we've missed].

Thurs, San José, Costa Rica: Roller Derby Costa Rica host their Último Partido (Final game) for the year. [EVENT]
- Reindeer versus Elves themed bout.
Sat+Sun, Río Gallegos, Argentina: Fénix Roller Derby host a two-day open bootcamp and scrimmage. The Bootcamp is on Saturday, the Scrimmage on the Sunday. [EVENT]
Sun, Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires Conspiracy, and Chat Noir, co-host a quadruple header! [EVENT]
- Buenos Aires Conspiracy (Buenos Aires M) vs Facones Galacticos (Buenos Aires M)
- "Low calorie" mixed scrimmage
- Space Jam (?) vs Buenos Aires Conspiracy
- Chat Noir intraleague: Black versus White
Sun, Blumenau, Brazil: the Iron Ladies of Blumenau host an exciting challenge bout [EVENT]
- Iron Ladies (Blumenau) versus Brasil Roller Derby Masculino (Brasil M) !
~~Sun, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil: Thunder Rats Derby Squad host a single header to close 2018 [EVENT]~~ CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN STORMS
- Thunder Rats (Santos, São Paulo) versus Sugar Loathe Roller Derby (Rio de Janeiro) [FTS]
Sun, Morelia, Mexico: Roller Derby Morelia play Amour Roller Derby in a "friendly" [EVENT Flyer]

Africa and Middle East

Late 'n' Lite #5

wearethedrd — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 19:13:31 GMT

Dundee Roller Girls' are hosting their fifth installment of their Late 'n' Lite Referee and NSO bootcamp! On the 28th August at 7pm untill 10pm all in the very lovely Manhattan Works and all for only a fiver!

Late n Lite Attendees!

This time they will be focusing on how officials, on or off skates, can work together as a team. Working on communication and how each individual contribute to the smooth (and safe!) running of the game. With the off skates session covering the ever popular position of Penalty Tracking!

To round the night off DRG's officials will be inviting you to take these newly hones skills onto the track as the bootcamp officiates Dundee's very own skaters in a wee intraleague scrim!

One half of Dundee Roller Girls' Head of Officials, Tiny Tearaway, had this to say about the bootcamps. Catch her and the other DRG refs in teaching action on the 28th!

Tiny Tearaway - "We really love being able to run these bootcamps, having our officiating pals over to Dundee and being able to not only host an off skates workshop, but also an on skates one, with the added scrim, is such a great experience. I'm really grateful to help set these up and be a part of it all." (Image Courtesy: Allyson Jane-Foster)

Event page: Here August 28th 7pm - 10 pm Manhattan Works, Dundee £5

Violentango 5: Latin America's continental tournament returns.

aoanla — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 12:38:26 GMT

Perhaps a little less on people's radar than the big tournaments in Europe, Latin America has been holding continent-scale invitational tournaments for at least the last 5 years.

In particular, the regular "Violentango" tournament, hosted by 2x4 Roller Derby of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is returning in April for its 5th edition.

The previous Violentango (Violentango 4, November 2015) saw two categories, featuring teams from Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay divided between the two based on skill.

Violentango 5 is almost as wide in its net, featuring new and returning teams from Brasil, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.

From Brasil: Both returning from VT-4, Sao Pablo's Ladies of Helltown and Gray City Rebels are both competing.

From Colombia: new to VT-5, Bogotá's Bone Breakers (BX3), Combativas Revoltosas and Rock N Roller Queens are all competing (Bogotá is also in the middle of its own national series - the 4^to Torneo Distrital Roller Derby - which all are also participating in).

From Chile: returning from VT-4, Santiago's Metropolitan Roller Derby

and from Argentina: all returning from VT-4, Sailor City Rollers, Buenos Aires Roller Derby (B.A.R.D.) and hosts 2x4 Roller Derby.

At Violentango 4, hosts 2x4 Roller Derby took first place in the "upper" tier of the tournament with their A team, OSOM. In the "second" tier, Rotten Vicious Dolls (B team for Dirty Fucking Dolls of Buenos Aires) took the first place position.

However, Violentango 5 is working with a reduced format - a single tier tournament with only A teams competing - so only the one championship will be available. We expect that 2x4 will be challenged strongly by last year's second place Sailor City Rollers, who also recently became full WFTDA members.

Speaking of WFTDA, it's the current spread of WFTDA memberships in Latin America which has inspired this change to Violentango 5. As European teams well know, it is particularly difficult to gain a representative Rank with WFTDA if you can't play a large number of Sanctioned games - and particularly if you can't play high ranked teams.

All of the attendees at VT-5 are either WFTDA members (apprentice or full), or are intending to join. By holding a large number of WFTDA Sanctioned games at one time, the intent is to give a big boost to Latin America in the Rankings, partly ameliorating the issue. As part of this change to the aims of Violentango, this iteration of the tournament is also a WFTDA Recognised Tournament for 2017 - in fact, it may be the first ever WFTDA Recognised Tournament in Latin America.

As well as the tournament, VT-5 will also feature a Bootcamp run by 2x4 Roller Derby on the 15th. As well as covering all aspects of derby track skills, there will, in keeping with the theme of the tournament, be a special section covering the optimal choice of bouts in order to improve your WFTDA Ranking.

And, they're not finished, as the event also includes one of the new WFTDA Officiating Clinics, also on the 15th, to allow Latin American officials to participate in best practice from WFTDA Level 4 Certified Referee, Wernher VonBombed and WFTDA Level 5 Certified NSO Intejill! (This is a "One Day Clinic", as defined on the WFTDA website here)

As with all significant tournaments we cover, we are hoping to provide a viewing guide in the event of streaming, and other resources.

Violentango 5 can be found on the 2x4 Roller Derby Website here: https://www.2x4rollerderby.com.ar/torneo-violentango/ediciones-anteriores/vt-5/ or in the WFTDA Recognised Tournaments page here: https://wftda.com/events/wftda-recognized-tournaments/ Tickets available here: https://www.2x4rollerderby.com.ar/shop/tickets/ (options for whole tournament, day pass and whole tournament + commemorative teeshirt).

It's Late n' Lite with DRG

wearethedrd — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:00:13 GMT

Dundee Roller Girls' popular Late n' Lite officials bootcamp is back for 2017. On the 3rd of April at Manhattan Works, Dundee, DRG officials are opening their doors at 7pm for a three hour bootcamp, all for a fiver!

Obligatory after bootcamp photo!

Last year saw three instalments of this officials orientated bootcamp, inviting NSO's, Referees and anyone that wanted to expand their rules knowledge to DRG's Manhattan Works venue in Dundee. Not only do they offer the chance to learn from some of the most experienced referees in Scotland but also to try out the tiled sports court that is so common across the US derby scene!

Their previous Late n' Lite's have covered a variety of topics to help veteran and new officials alike! The first, in 2016, covered “Oddly phrased Skater Queries” and “Official Reviews”; the second: “OPR like a Pro” and “Positive Self Talk!”; with the third covering “Defusing Difficult Situations” and “Level up your JR and OPR positioning”.

[gallery ids="16013,16012,16014" type="rectangular"]

Each mini-bootcamp consists of two 45 minute off-skate sessions, usually one broad subject is covered initially and then another role-specific focus is brought out. After which, on skates referees are given the chance to put these new skills to the test by refereeing the Dundee Roller Girls skaters in a final hour scrim!

To learn a bit more about the reasoning behind these bootcamps, and just have a wee catch up with some of Scotland's referees, we had a wee chat with Ruby RaGe (R) and Tiny Tearaway (T) (head officials for DRG 2017).

[gallery ids="16028,16027" type="circle" columns="2"]

Q: So to start us off, how did these bootcamps come around? Was it something that DRG officials were working on for a long time?

R: I guess we started having a chat amongst the group and Righteous Oxide came up with the idea!

T: I wasn’t actually part of the league when the bootcamps were first talked about. I think it was commented on that there wasn’t anything like this already in Scotland and it would be a good idea to look into it. A few months later the first bootcamp popped up!

Q: There's quite a lot of you DRG officials isn't there? Do you all take it in turns for leading a session or how is it all planned?

R: What tends to happen is that folks volunteer to take a session. When it comes to the ‘classroom’ stuff it’s not everyone’s bag to stand up in front of a room full of people. I think the great thing is we all bring something different to the table. This makes it really varied and interesting.

T: All of the officials at DRG have their own amazing skillsets. We have a wee chat about topics for a bootcamp and usually someone volunteers to take a session on a specific subject. I was really excited to do my session on jam reffing as I can get quite passionate about it and want all the refs to love it as much as I do 

Q: What's planned for your fourth installment then?

R: Ahhh, I’m not part of the planning for this one, I'll let Tiny take this question..!

T: The fourth bootcamp is probably going to be the most exciting. So far we have focused mainly on skating officials but with so many people at DRG and across all of the Scottish leagues taking an interest in the non skating side of things, we decided to make the bootcamp for skating officials as well as anyone wanting to delve into the wonderful world of nso’ing. We are delighted that the very talented Peggy Kreugar from ARRG has agreed to take this session. After the theory side of things all of the officials get the chance to ref and NSO a scrim with the lovely skaters from DRG.

Q: How do you feel running bootcamps like these impacts the movement of Scottish Officials? Especially when specific focus is being put into our lovely NSOs?

R: I think what our league is offering is very special. It’s fair to say that NSO’s are sometimes overlooked and we very much feel they are part of the big picture. Nurturing on & off skates officials is integral to the sport.

T: It is a bit of a laugh between the Scottish officials that DRG have all the refs in Scotland. This isn’t quite true but we are very lucky to have 10 referees who ref at different levels throughout Scotland, the rest of the uk and the rest of the world. We are a league who have an open door policy when it comes to helping anyone who wants to learn how to ref or nso. We saw the bootcamps as a way to help newer officials and newer leagues with fewer refs.

Q: Are there any major barriers you feel for Scottish Officials breaking through into officiating outside of bonnie Scotland or even into international derby?

R: I think you have to get yourself known & put yourself out there. It will get harder as the pool of Officials increases but it’s good to have contacts!

T:The Scottish officials are a very close community. We are always happy to help each other out and because of this I think we have built a reputation of being knowledgeable, fair and reliable. I think for a lot of newer officials it is quite daunting to start applying to events and games over the border and abroad. The advice I was given was apply to everything, get your name out there and get known. If you get rejected, although it sucks at the time there will always be more opportunities. Work hard, ask for help and be the best you can be.

Q: To finish off, do you guys wanna give us some hints to the next few bootcamps? What are your main goals for these?

R: Well there will be lots of OPR training from our wonderful Shuggs Bunny and of course some great insight into Jam ref’ing like a true super star from Tiny. I’ve done some of the more mental rather than physical aspects of Derby in the past (positive self-talk) and would love to do something similar again this year. We just love the fact that lots of Officials are prepared to travel some distance to attend these Boot Camps. I think we must be doing something right!

T: Yeah, just what Rubes has said, having the next few bootcamps continuing along the same path. Looking at focused and specific learning, but at the same time making sure there is a bit of something to keep everyone interested. It is great to see that other leagues such as Glasgow Roller Derby are offering more officiating events, aimed more at nso’s but also welcome refs. I think if leagues continue with these bootcamps and training sessions the future of Scottish officiating can only become stronger.

So if you want to polish up your NSO skills, OPR like a PRO and have some scrim time practice then DRG's Late n' Lite Bootcamp is for you!

Doors open at 7pm at Manhattan Works, Dundee. Check out the facebook event page for more details!

Glasgow to pack May with events!

aoanla — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:52:39 GMT

With Glasgow Roller Derby's Irn Bruisers taking a short break after completing their fixtures for British Champs, that doesn't mean that the league are slowing down in other areas. In fact, this May looks like being busier than the previous months in terms of events!

Firstly, May 7th sees the return of GRD's popular Queerosity night from earlier in the year, this time with a 90s Grunge feel. The night will run from 7:30pm to midnight, at Garnethill Multicultural Centre, and tickets are available for just £2 online (£3 on the door)!

Then, on May 21, GRD B, the Maiden Grrders, will be taking on Blackpool Roller Derby. Blackpool have had quite a Scottish theme for their year already, having sent a team to the Fierce Valley hosted sur5al and, of course, been both hosted and competed against by Aberdeen's Granite City Roller Derby in Tier 4 of British Champs. This bout sees the Blackpool Roller Coasters play their toughest opponents yet; the Maiden Grrders are higher ranked than any of the teams in Tier 4 North! The bout will be held in Glasgow's traditional venue, the ARC Sports Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University, starting at midday. Tickets will be the usual £6 online, or a little more on the door.

However, the jewel of the May schedule comes the day after, as London Brawling's Stefanie Mainey will be holding a Co-ed Bootcamp, hosted by GRD on May 22nd. To take advantage of her considerable experience as both a coach and skater in one of the top 4 roller derby teams in the World, this will be an Intermediate Skills bootcamp. Tickets for offskates observers are also available, at a reduced rate (£25 versus £50 for onskates). Hosted at the ARC, the bootcamp will fill the afternoon from 1pm to 5.45.

Glasgow Roller Derby: Next Level Bootcamp & Guest Coaching Available

paingrrl666 — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 15:57:40 GMT

Glasgow Roller Derby had an exciting year last year, and now we are looking to share our learning with other leagues! We have lots on offer, both for leagues and for individual skaters.

On Sat 21st March, we are hosting our ‘Next Level Bootcamp. This is a fully co-ed bootcamp, which is aimed at two levels – people wishing to learn basic skills for passing minimums (stops/stride/laterals), and then people who have passed minimum skills and are aiming to become bout ready (agility, edge work, hockey stops etc). The bootcamp is being offered at the super reasonable price of £25 on-skates, and £15 off-skates. We will also have our very special Roller Grrls t-shirts available for sale which are unavailable for general purchase, as well as a range of other Grd merch. You can book a place on the bootcamp here

We are also available to leagues who would like some guest coaching, and have developed a training menu which will cater for league at any level.

We have coaches available to cover sessions such as:-

all levels of skills
all levels of strategy
nutrition
off skates fitness
mental conditioning
league morale
team building
scrimmage/bout footage reviewing

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact interleagueliaison@glasgowrollerderby.com.

We look forward to meeting you!

Doonhame Derby Dolls: Dollfest

scottishrollerderby — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 23:15:48 GMT

Image courtesy of Doonhame Derby Dolls

Doonhame Derby Dolls present Dollfest, a series of events over the weekend of 15/16/17 August. For DDD members there are open forum discussions and a boot-camp featuring guest coaches from Royal Windsor Rollergirls. For non members, a chance to meet the guest coaches, and find out about volunteering with the Doonhame Derby Dolls in a more social setting, with live music and dj's. Contact the Dolls for more information.

Time Running Out for Bootcamps and Auctions!

aoanla — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:03 GMT

Two exciting things happening today, which you might just be in time to catch if you were previously unaware of them...

Firstly: London Rollergirls' London Brawling are holding a Bootcamp in Edinburgh, hosted by Auld Reekie Roller Girls. The tickets went onsale at midday today, and the Intermediate session has entirely sold out already. However, if you're New WFTDA Mins passed, you can still book onto the Advanced session, where there are a small number of places free.

https://www.facebook.com/events/571365989561526/ is the link for the event.

Secondly, in order to give people enough time to bid, Glasgow Roller Derby have extended the deadline on their fundraising Auction for ECDX by a whole week. It looks like the counters for time available haven't been fixed at the time of writing, but I am informed that there is really a week left, not less than 4 hours!

This could be your chance to get tickets to the Sealife Centre, rock CDs, gardening work, or even a custom doll made in your image, for a bargain price, and also help one of our two history-making Scottish leagues get to Philadelphia in late June!

http://glasgowrollerderby.com/auctions

School of ARRG Knocks:Beginner and Intermediate Bootcamp

scottishrollerderby — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 01:14:54 GMT

Image courtesy of Auld Reekie Roller Girls

Auld Reekie Roller Girls have released ticket prices and details on their upcoming boot camp, the School Of ARRG Knocks on Saturday the 6th of October.

The day will feature... two tracks running sessions for different levels with coaches from Auld Reekie Roller Girls' All Star Travel Team. off skates strategy, skate maintenance, fitness and league structure sessions. a day-long referee bootcamp with WFTDA certified official and Head Referee of Leeds Roller Dolls, Boris Snarloff. a graduation scrimmage. an amazing not-to-be-missed afterparty.

Limited tickets are available here and prices are as follows: Skater Ticket (Minimums passed skater)£35.00
Referee Ticket £25.00 Off Skates Referee/NSO Ticket £10.00 Off Skates Skater Ticket £10.00

A Tale Of Two Bootcamps

scottishrollerderby — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:13:13 GMT

There are two upcoming bootcamps to mark in your diaries.

First up is Glasgow Roller Derby's Harder Better Faster Stronger on Saturday the 11th of August.A day dedicated to the skills new skaters need to pass their minimums.You can register your interest here. Please note that all attending skaters must bring their own kit in addition to both black and coloured shirts with name and number. You can read SRD's own Chasing Katy's thoughts on attending a previous GRD Bootcamp here.

Next is the Auld Reekie Roller Girls' event, School Of ARRG Knocks on Saturday the 6th of October.This one is for minimums passed skaters only,on and off skates training,strategy and a whole lot more. More details nearer the time.