Getting to Know Bristol Roller Derby
Posted on: 15 Oct 2014Continuing our theme of Getting to Know Bristol, this week we have been chatting to Bristol Roller Derby and the club captain Rosie Black, a.k.a. Black Thorn, spoke to us to tell us more. For those unfamiliar with the sport head over to WISE Campus on Saturday 25 October for a double header match featuring Bristol Roller Derby versus South West Angels of Terror (S.W.A.T) and Bath versus Neath Port Talbot Girls. A quick YouTube video of 'the rules' is available by clicking here.
1. When was Bristol Roller Derby set up and what is it all about?
Bristol Roller Derby was set up in 2010. We are a roller derby club run entirely by members, for members on a voluntary basis. Each member has a role and actively contributes to the successful running of the league. Our competitive skaters compete nationally and internationally, we have a fantastic group of officials who keep us all in line, and we also run drop in sessions every week for people who want to try their hand at skating or get involved with the league in a non skating capacity.
2. Are you from Bristol? What about the players, are they local, national or international?
I am from Bristol, as are a good proportion of the players and league members. We do have a pretty international flavour though with members originating from Finland, Portugal, Germany, America, Slovakia, Ireland and South Africa!
3. How's it going?
Very well, thanks! The league is thriving with over 100 members, and our travel teams are having some great success (our female A team is currently ranked 39th out of over 300 teams in Europe).
4. Two of your players are off to the World Cup in Dallas this December. I understand they play for Portugal and Finland, any Bristol players close to getting into the England/UK team?
I recently had tryouts for Team England. Unfortunately I wasn’t successful this time but have my sights set on the next draft. We also have some fantastic younger skaters who I have no doubt will be the international stars of the future!
5. The club is run by volunteers – how do you find running a non-profit making organisation in Bristol?
I think I probably speak for everyone when I say incredibly hard work but very rewarding. Whilst some of us take league roles that are related to their ‘real-life’, full time jobs, the vast majority take on these positions of responsibility (be it committee, coaching, PR or business and admin positions) with very little prior experience and make it work through trial and error, hard graft and the support of other Bristol Roller Derby members.
6. Where do you like to eat out in Bristol?
You will likely find a roller derby player or two in the Cider Press on Gloucester Road tucking into one of their delicious sharing trays post-training. Head there after our home games and you will find a lot more of us – the Cider Press is our official after-party venue.
7. What's your favourite place in Bristol?
SGS College Wise campus on the afternoon of a Bristol Roller Derby home game. You can see high level sporting competition and incredible feats of athleticism whilst enjoying a beer and delicious homemade cake!
8. Where do you see Bristol Roller Derby in 5 years time?
Still functioning as a successful, vibrant, volunteer run sports club, hopefully competing more at an international level.
9. What advice would you give to amateur Bristol sports clubs in need of more members, funding and support?
Running an amateur sports club can be tough but also very rewarding. Of course the primary focus of any sports club is the sport itself – let’s face it, few people want to sit in committee meetings or discuss policies and processes. However, for a club to run smoothly the basics need to be in place. The way Bristol Roller Derby works is that every member has a role to play in running the club. A governing philosophy of Roller Derby is “by the skaters, for the skaters” meaning everyone takes some responsibility, big or small, for their club’s success or failure.
10. If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
My top priority would be turning the City Centre into an open air derby track... probably best that I don’t become a politician!
Contact Bristol Roller Derby on:
Web. www.bristolrollerderby.com
Facebook. www.facebook.com/BristolRollerDerby
Twitter. www.twitter.com/BrisRollerDerby