AKICILJ (UK Edition) - Roller Derby

[akirlu]

So, well. The Rat City Roller Girls are taking on the Windy City Rollers in Kent (WA) this Saturday, while Steve Green is in town. I've been pondering the possibility of taking Steve to witness this All-American cheese-fest, thinking it's not the sort of thing one is likely to get much of in the UK. Little did I know.

On a lark, I googled England + "roller derby" and found to my surprise that there are over a dozen roller derby leagues listed in the UK, and two in Birmingham alone. Go figure.

So, my UK denizen friends, is this something you actually hear about in the UK? Is it an up and coming trend? Are all the hip young things attending roller derby matches these days? Or is Wikipedia leading me astray?

I am all atwitter to know.

Comments

[daveon.livejournal.com]

I had heard of it, but never seen it before I saw them at the Key Arena, so the chances are that Steve hasn't seen it. You can count me in for that.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll check the Vanguard list to see if there's enough interest to pull together a 10+ group for discount tickets. Otherwise tickets are $19 in advance (and $28 at the door, so advance sales seem like the way to go.)

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Okay, cool, thanks!

Scotland too...

[akicif.livejournal.com]

My sister, Sarah, competes in Glasgow - every now and again I get a nudge on FB about an event, but I've yet to find one at a time/place combo I can get to.

I've also seen posters here in Edinburgh, but they seem to make it look like an all-girl version of "Rollerball".

Re: Scotland too...

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

In the States, this isn't the '70s roller derby at all. I mean, it's the same sport I suppose, but the base and approach are all different. I mean, some derby folk go to WisCon.

I'd say take Steve! It will be unlike anything else he's seen, and a couple of the Windy City Rollers are fans. (For more info about the WCR, ask polyfrog.)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not even entirely sure what a roller derby is. Something to do with roller skates?

So, no, as far as the UK goes this is a subculture.