Tag: Auld Reekie Roller Derby

Auld Reekie Roller Derby in All Time First!

On Saturday 30th March, Auld Reekie Roller Derby’s All Stars take on Norwich’s Norfolk Broads for the first time in history! Both teams are well-established, experienced and ranked highly in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rankings, so the game is set to be a nail-biter.

Roller derby is a fast paced, full contact sport played on quad roller skates and Edinburgh’s top team are now in their 15th year.

The game takes place at Dalkeith Community Campus and the club is hoping to attract a lively crowd for their inaugural early evening slot – named Derby Nights. The doors open at 4:30pm with the first whistle at 5pm.

Captain Caitlin O’Carroll is confident about the game, “We have refined our training focuses and intensity for this season with a view to climbing the European rankings and can’t wait to put all the amazing things our 2024 roster have been working on over the last few months into action.” 

The event is a double header with the second game seeing challenger teams from friendly rivals Auld Reekie and Glasgow Roller Derby vying for victory.

Alongside the main event of skating, expect the usual interval games and raffles as well as  local vendors and a chance to buy team merchandise. Grab a burrito from Bonnie Burrito and enjoy homemade cakes from the cake stand! 

Tickets are sure to sell out fast for this evening clash of North and South on the last night of winter – so make sure you book soon at:

https://www.universe.com/events/derby-nights-double-header-tickets-JMLNH6

Auld Reekie Roller Derby: Double Header Home Game 

Auld Reekie Roller Derby are hosting a double header of live roller derby at Dalkeith Community Campus on Sunday 19th November.

Roller derby is a fast-paced full contact team sport, played on quad roller skates. It requires speed, strategy, and athleticism, and is one of the world’s fastest growing female sports.

Founded in 2008, this will be the club’s final home game in their 15th Anniversary year, and they expect big crowds from their loyal fans.

The two-game day, entitled ‘Stranger Spins’, with an 80s ‘Stranger Things’ theme, kicks off at 12:30pm. The first game is between challenger teams, which include skaters playing their first public game, and the second headliner game sees friendly rivals Auld Reekie All Star Reserves take on nearby Dundee Roller Derby.

A family-friendly event, there will also be food vendors, half time games and merchandise sellers. The 80s tunes will be playing and crowds are encouraged to wear their best 80s fashions!

Local Edinburgh skater Annie Bechtel will be playing her first public game and is feeling excited, “I thought it would be at least a year till I was even close to competing with Auld Reekie, so I’m delighted to be on the team.

“I’m nervous, but there is always such a great atmosphere from the crowd.”

Annie, whose roller derby nickname is Timber, on account of the fact that “I fall down a lot, and I’m tall”, started the Auld Reekie skater training programme in December 2022.

She sustained an injury, but that wasn’t enough to put her off the full contact sport: “I’ve recovered, made it through the next round of skater training, and am ready to skate my best!”

Don’t miss out on Auld Reekie Roller Derby’s thrilling home game, book your tickets now at: http://www.universe.com/events/stranger-spins-tickets-7C1D23

Auld Reekie Roller Derby host international tournament

Auld Reekie Roller Derby, Edinburgh’s Roller Derby club, are to host an international tournament this Saturday (17th November). Close Encounters of the ARRD Kind, taking place at Dalkeith Community Campus, will see teams from Austria, France and Finland battle it out on track with Edinburgh’s finest.

This family-friendly event will celebrate the growth of grassroots roller derby and showcase how it inspires women of different ages and backgrounds to take up the sport and improve their physical and mental health. Auld Reekie’s up and coming skaters the All Star Rookies will face the Vienna Beasts, before a three way battle between Auld Reekie’s All Stars, Helsinki Queen Bs and Lille Roller Derby.

All Stars captain Lianne Parry says: “We don’t shy away from challenges, that’s for sure! We’re honoured to host these three amazing, high-level European teams on Saturday. We’ve all been training hard all season and are looking forward to what promise to be incredibly exciting and close games.” 

Elin Andersson, who heads the team of event volunteers, adds: “This will be a brilliant day with four thrilling games and a great family atmosphere with stalls, home baking, half-time games, raffles and food trucks – plenty of fun for all ages. Not to be missed!”

This will be Auld Reekie’s first home event since rebranding – they recently dropped the ‘girls’ from their name in favour of the more inclusive Auld Reekie Roller Derby, unveiling their new look on 2 November.