The UK's First Roller Derby Magazine

words by Hurlequinn, Leeds Roller Dolls

Save the Date! May 20^th will see 100s of quad skaters racing head-to-head in the first Quad Enduro Challenge at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit in West London.  London Skaters Speed Team (LSST) has been working hard, with input from many roller derby leagues throughout the UK, to design an endurance event that challenges quad skaters to accumulate as many laps as possible in 90 minutes.  Skaters can also enter in teams of five to compete against other teams for the highest overall number of laps; something that LSST are hoping will appeal to the competitive nature of the roller derby leagues.

Online registration and further details about the event can be found at http://www.londoninlinemarathon.com/.

Early registration is cheaper and highly recommended as places are limited to 150 skaters.

For more on speed skating and the event check out the March issue of Inside Line.

YELLOW is not just a colour – to the Liverpool Roller Birds it’s a state of mind.

words by Hanna Horror, Liverpool Roller Birds

The league has just celebrated its second birthday, having more than 70 skaters involved in the league the Birds have brought a new sport to a city renowned for its love of football.

The Liverpool Roller Birds have grown tremendously from their humble beginnings of just five skaters. They originally trained with the Rainy City Roller Girls but had a vision of bringing roller derby to Liverpool for the first time.

Having built up many friendly relationships with other teams and a reputation as a friendly league, it was decided that 2012 is the year for the Birds to get busy. A decision was made for the league to take a six-month break from bouting to concentrate on training. A fun but pro-active training plan has been setup to push the Birds to their limits.

photo by Sakura

Birds have been learning from a number of guest coaches, who have travelled to the city to hold special training sessions and pass on their words of wisdom on the track.

In the meantime the team have taken full responsibility for their own training outside of practice sessions, with some getting advice from personal instructors and others running marathons. This year the Liverpool Roller Birds are determined to be fitter than ever and are set on painting the city yellow.

Disco Carnage, president of the Liverpool Roller Birds, said: “The Liverpool Roller Birds are now two years old and it all started from a humble beginning with just five skaters, who originally trained with the Rainy City Roller Girls.

“We have now played outside the UK in Dublin and we have built up a reputation as a friendly and fun team.

“This year as we head toward our third birthday, we’re hoping to be more competitive. We feel like we’re maturing as a team and want to improve the level of every skater. To this end we’ve have taken a break from bouting to train , we’ve had guest coaches, a bootcamp and are increasing our training sessions and looking for new venues.

“We have raised our aspirations and are planning for a 2012 full of exciting achievements. After all yellow isn’t a colour- it’s a state of mind.”

Sissy Breakneck, director of training of the Liverpool Roller Birds, has been leading the league’s fitness drive.

She said: “We have been bouting as a full Liverpool squad for about a year now, and I feel every time we play we improve and grow as a team.

“A highlight for us last year was having enough members to create our second team, the Liverpool Roller Chicks, and they went on to finish our season with a win against Sheffield Steel’s Crucibelles, which was lovely!

“Our plans for the New Year are to train hard and come together as a league, move forward and hopefully win some more bouts!”