Glasgow Roller Derby
 | |
| Metro area | Glasgow |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Teams |
Irn Bruisers (A team) Maiden Grrders (B team) Cannie Gingers (C team) Bad Omens Death Stars Hell's Bells Tyrannosaurus Wrecks |
| Track type(s) | Flat |
| Venue | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| Affiliations | UKRDA, WFTDA |
| Website | http://glasgowrollerderby.com |
Glasgow Roller Derby is a roller derby league based in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 2007, the league has four teams, and three combined teams which compete with other leagues.
History
The league was founded as the Glasgow Roller Girls in February 2007, by Teri Toxic and Mistress Malicious. It was the first league in Scotland, and the fourth in the United Kingdom (after the London Rollergirls, London Rockin Rollers and Birmingham Blitz Dames). After initially practising in Kelvingrove Park, the league gained a regular slot at Glasgow Caledonian University, which has been their main bouting venue ever since.[1]
The league's first bout was in 2008, against London, and subsequently it hosted the first transatlantic match, against Team Canada. It won the first Scottish tournament, "Highland Fling", and contributed several skaters to Team Scotland for the Roller Derby World Cup in 2011, including its head coach.[1]
In July 2011, GRG became a Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice league,[2] and it was a founder member of the UK Roller Derby Association. Early in 2012, it changed its name to "Glasgow Roller Derby".[3] In June 2012, it was accepted as a full member of the WFTDA.[4]
Teams
Glasgow Roller Derby have three travel teams, these are the Irn Bruisers, the Maiden Grrders, and the Cannie Gingers - All three of these names are inspired by the popular Scottish carbonated beverage Irn-Bru. There are also four home teams who are the Bad Omens, Death Stars, Hell's Belles and the Tyrannosaurus Wrecks.[5]
Recruitment
Glasgow Roller Derby regularly runs an intensive course to aid new "would be" skaters to learn to skate/improve their skill and become GRD Members.[6] GRD is a passionate advocate for LGBT inclusion in sport, with two league members currently acting as the Transgender Liaison for the UK Roller Derby Association,[7] and as such all women and non-binary people are welcomed to join GRD with a view to becoming full competing league members. During their training phase these skaters are known as the Glasgow Roller Recruits (GRR). The GRR also includes future referees who are keen to learn the sport and join the league as skating officials, people of all genders are welcome to join the league as referees.[8]
References
- 1 2 Sister Grimm, "GRG – the story so far", Glasgow Roller Girls
- ↑ WFTDA Adds Crop of 15 Apprentice Leagues, WFTDA, 13 July 2011
- ↑ "Member of the Month – Glasgow Roller Derby", UKRDA, 20 March 2012
- ↑ "Nine Leagues Become Full WFTDA Members", WFTDA, 1 June 2012
- ↑ "List of GRD Teams", GRD Website, 6 December 2012
- ↑ "Skate with GRD", GRD Website, 6 December 2012
- ↑ "", GRD Website, 6 December 2012
- ↑ "Officiate for GRD", GRD Website, 6 December 2012
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