The UKRDA will be presenting five female teams, from the southern region, and two men’s teams playing on a specially fitted roller derby track.

The female teams confirmed are Big Bucks High Rollers, Brighton Rockers Roller Derby, Bristol Roller Derby, Kent Roller Girls and London Rollergirls (Brawl Saints).

The tournament will be groundbreaking as the Crash Test Brummies, from the West Midlands, and latest men’s derby applicant members The Inhuman League, from Sheffield, will be hoping to play the first ever UKRDA sanctioned men’s bout on the Saturday.

The tournament is supported by Sport England Lottery Funding which is a real achievement for the UKRDA and has been made possible as a direct result of our campaigning for roller derby to be recognised as a sport in the UK.

Applications for officials and announcers is now open, to apply please complete the form linked at the below.

Application Deadline for Tournament Head Referee and Crew Head Referees/NSOs:  24/04/13

Application Deadline for all other positions:  30/04/13

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1y_yQrdBODWHezZUPWnBX4Mw_ReLTPRFgQDOPbBnJW1c/viewform

Any questions regarding the event or the application may be addressed to tournaments@ukrda.org.uk or through your reps. Tickets can be bought here! http://www.greatbritishtattooshow.com/tickets

The UKRDA is very keen to offer the men’s international tournament organisers our assistance in upcoming selections, including our coaching application forms and UKRDA representatives who can attend try-outs to ensure impartiality. We can also advise on coaching and team management selection.

For the previous Blood and Thunder Womens’ World Cup event, the organisers wanted to ensure fair selection and as such took applications for National Team coaches first; with supporting letters, which the UKRDA provided.

The UKRDA would like to offer to manage the processing of applications for all National Team Coaches, using the UKRDA coaching application form which has been designed by members and with the support of the derby community. We would like to offer to work with the National Team Coaches & recognise them for all future events up until the end of 2014. The UKRDA would form a committee comprising members impartial and uninvolved with the Men’s World Cup Tournament who would oversee the coaching application process. UKRDA would be happy to work with Tournament organisers to develop an agreed selection process to nominate National Team Coaches. We are aware of the June 1st deadline and would immediately create a timeline if our support was required.

The UKRDA presumes that the National Team Coaches would then take responsibility for individual skater try-outs, with UKRDA Representatives being an impartial presence at team selections, if desired.

We are very keen to support the Men’s teams for the UK in this coming World Cup and we hope by the year 2014 to have fully sanctioned UKRDA endorsed men’s teams.

Following close work with WFTDA and consultation with members, UKRDA will adopt the WFTDA sanctioning process and use an adapted version of their paperwork. This means our new sanctioning process will easily tie in with leagues that are members of both UKRDA and WFTDA.

Alongside sanctioning, we are planning to have a series of regional tournaments for our members which will result in a UK Championship, something the UKRDA has been working towards from the outset.

Karen Kuhn (Bones), WFTDA Managing Director of Games, is very excited about working closely with the UKRDA to help launch this new process and said; ”The WFTDA is very excited about the establishment of national flat track roller derby associations like the UKRDA and what this means for the growth of the sport of flat track roller derby. We are happy to share best practices, standards and to make our materials available to UKRDA for their use, in the course of achieving and executing their mission. We look forward to a collaborative relationship for the benefit of all our members.”

The UKRDA Board Director responsible for Sanctioning and Games, Mistress Malicious, is keen to push the project forward and has been developing the process for many months. She explained how it had evolved, “Last year we asked our members what they wanted from sanctioning games and rankings and the overall feeling was to mirror the WFTDA process. Our WFTDA members particularly wanted the process to be similar to simplify submissions to both organisations. We were very pleased when WFTDA agreed to share their paperwork and process with us and we are very appreciative to Bones for all the time and work she has spent helping us implement it”.

As with all key decisions on the future of roller derby in the UK the UKRDA reports back to member leagues, relying upon and welcoming their input and any member league is welcome to join the sanctioning committee. To help leagues with the paperwork and understand the process we have an extensive FAQ document that is constantly updated.

UKRDA Sanctioning Processor Mona Rampage said, “Developing our own sanctioning process really shows the growth of roller derby in the UK. It is a really exciting time for our organisation and for all UK roller derby leagues – male and female”.

We train up to four times a week, with sessions suitable for everyone from complete beginner to advanced and scrimmage, this means we can have a structured training programme to meet the needs of all skaters, referees and non skating officials, but also to ensure that training is fun and all skaters/members feel confident in their abilities.

Having built strong relationships with other local teams, our future goals include growing our membership, increasing our wealth of knowledge and diversity of training and skills by using our strong connections with some of the UK’s top skaters. We aim to build more positive connections and to enhance our profile in the local community.

We are very excited to be accepted as members of UKRDA and look forward to a very positive future and promotion of the sport in Wales.

The Norfolk Brawds are a team of saucy sailors based out of Norwich and are the first and only roller derby league in Norfolk. They started out as a group of inexperienced skaters in a tiny church hall in March 2010 and since then the league has grown to over 40 full members. 2011 saw the Brawds public debut against the Seaside Sirens and 2012 was their first full bouting season in which they came in at 4 wins and 3 losses. In 2013 the Brawds are participating in the Heartland Series, the largest roller derby tournament in Europe, and have gotten off to a good start with a win against Bedfordshire Roller Girls.
The Brawds associated men’s league, the East Anglo SmackSons got off the ground in 2012 and is currently training and recruiting.
The Brawds ethos is to play hard on the track while always being welcoming and friendly off of it. We’re number fun!

We are very happy to have them part of UKRDA!

For the purpose of this document, the word “team” refers to any national team including, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and any GB team that may be formed from members of the other national teams put together.

Will the UKRDA be opening up membership to individual skaters?
This is currently being discussed by the UKRDA. Prior to any decisions being made there will be a period of consultation with member leagues. As you can imagine this is a huge decision for the UKRDA and one that cannot be rushed. As with all decisions that will affect current and future member leagues the final decision will be made by member vote.

Can an individual skater who is an official for a UKRDA league apply to be a skater for a national team?
Yes if you are a member of a UKRDA league then you are eligible to apply to skate for a national team. As with all applicants, you must meet the membership requirements for your individual league (officials does not include volunteers).

Can individuals apply to be both a skater and coach for a National Team?
Individuals can either apply to skate or coach/bench for a national team and can not do both with one exception. A male applicant may apply to skate for a male team and coach a female team and a female applicant can apply to skate for a female team and coach a men’s.

I am not a member of a UKRDA league but a member of a MRDA/WFTDA league. Can I still apply?
Whilst the UKRDA are keen to continue our positive relationship with WFTDA and MRDA we can only endorse a UK league that is a member of the UKRDA. International applicants who hold a UK passport may apply in writing and must be willing to attend UK try outs.

Why you can’t endorse a non-UKRDA league or skater?
In order for the UKRDA to endorse a league or individual member we need to ensure that they hold themselves to the same standards of practice and policy as the UKRDA. We are unable to verify whether those practices are in line with the UKRDA Code of Conduct unless they are a member league. The BRSF have given instruction as the governing body for roller sports in Britain that only members of UKRDA, a member of BRSF, can be selected to represent the UK in any International Competitions.

What is to prevent me forming my own version of Team England/Northern Ireland /Scotland/ Wales from leagues who are not members of UKRDA?
There is nothing to stop you from forming a unit of skaters, which can be attributed the name ‘Team Nationality’ of non-UKRDA members. However, these teams will not be recognised by the national governing body of roller sports, the BRSF. This in turn means they will not be recognised by international governing bodies and may be restricted in participating in future events as a result. The UKRDA aims to make this process as fair as possible by guiding the national selection process via our regulations, which are also monitored by the BRSF.

Could a group of skaters form a national team and then go to the UKRDA for affiliation?
No. As part of the verification that we place on member leagues we also need to place this onto national teams. Therefore we need to ensure that the process of assembling a national team is in line with our Code of Conduct and coaching practices.

Can you explain how the decision to formalise National Teams reached and by what process?
The UKRDA is recognised as the governing body of roller derby in the UK by BRSF who in turn are recognised as the governing body for roller sport disciplines in Britain by FIRS (Federation Internationale De Roller Sports). FIRS are recognised as the governing body of all roller sports by the International Olympic Committee. It was brought to the directors by a member, that the UKRDA would be best placed to take steps to compile a national team selection process so that the national teams would then be recognised by the international sporting world. National teams in the past (e.g. Blood & Thunder World Cup) had no official recognition, so in anticipation of more international tournaments, the UKRDA wanted to make sure roller derby would be recognised and the teams legitimised by the sporting community. This is a step towards roller derby being involved in competing at sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games and Olympics in the future. UKRDA member leagues are all grassroots run and all UKRDA directors and representatives are democratically voted by the skaters. UKRDA follow the ethos of by the skaters for the skaters but ultimately strive to further promote the sport of roller derby and have it recognised and taken seriously outside the derby community. The suggestion of formalising the structure for international teams was brought to all member leagues who voted in favour of it. It is important to remember that in order for a national team to compete at an international level they must be recognised by their governing body.

What will the process for team selections be and who will run them?
The support staff, coaches and bench staff will be selected by the UKRDA in line with Rules, Regulations, policies and procedures that are transparent and fair. UKRDA member leagues will be involved in the selection process, voting on the coaches and supporting staff. The coaches and bench staff, while maintaining these procedures will ensure a team is fairly picked and a representative from the UKRDA may also be present. At this time we are awaiting further clarification from the BRSF as to the details of how this process will run so that we ensure that it is in line with BRSF procedures. More information will be released as soon as we have received that clarification.

Will the coaches have to have the BRSF coaching qualification?
Having the BRSF coaching qualification is not compulsory but evidence of suitable coaching experience and qualifications will be taken in to account. The UKRDA would recommend completing the qualification should individuals be able to but do not consider this a necessity to be a national coach.

Will those running the try outs also be able to apply to skate for a national team?
Those running the try outs will not be able to apply to skate. This is to ensure that the process is impartial and fair. As previously stated, further information on the try outs for skaters will be released once the coaching staff have been decided on.

If I have previously tried out for team England does that mean that now I am unable to try out for team Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland?
As this is the first time that the UKRDA has run applications, having tried out for a team previously will not effect your ability to try out for a national team through the UKRDA process. However should you be picked for a national team you will then be unable to try out for a different team as a skater in the future.

Will there be a fast tracking of applications for UKRDA membership to allow teams to become eligible?
There will be no fast tracking of applicants at this stage, the UKRDA does not anticipate any delays with processing new applications. Please remember that national team selection may take some time. If the UKRDA has received your references and your application is being processed you will be considered suitable for try outs pending your league’s acceptance into the UKRDA.

What will the UKRDA will do to support the National Teams?
By being endorsed by the UKRDA all the National Teams will be recognised by the British Roller Sports Federation (BRSF). This will give the teams access to funding, support and advice that will aid team development and growth. The relationship between the UKRDA and the National Teams is in its infancy. This will grow as we learn what we can give to each other and how we can work in partnership to further the sport of Roller Derby.

What has UKRDA done for the sport so far?
• The UKRDA enabled Roller Derby to be recognised as a sport and gained membership to the BRSF.
• The UKRDA has hosted three successful annual UK roller derby tournaments and aim to continue these into the future.
• Currently the UKRDA is working towards a UK rankings system for member leagues and more tournaments and events to promote the sport in the future.
• The UKRDA is motivated to supporting the sport of roller derby and all member leagues are encouraged to approach the directors with suggestions for how we can further help our members.
• The UKRDA is currently researching insurance solutions for member leagues.
• The UKRDA are currently working with the BRSF to create a roller derby specific coaching qualification, which will allow for consistent and high quality coaching across the UK that is endorsed by a national governing body.
• The UKRDA supports and encourages discussion and exchange of information between member leagues.
• The UKRDA continues to work to increase the profile of the sport of roller derby in the UK and to enable it to gain legitimacy as a competitive, athletic sport.

This announcement marks exciting times for both UK and international roller derby. Any roller derby league in the UK is able to join the UKRDA if they match the membership criteria. The UKRDA are happy to offer advice and answer the questions of any league considering joining and have financial strategies in place to help leagues pay their membership fee if required. We are also looking into Individual UKRDA membership for skaters who come from leagues who may not wish to join UKRDA. The UKRDA is a not for profit organisation run by the skaters for the skaters and this marks another step towards further promoting the sport of roller derby, the sport we love.

A men’s team was set up in 2011 and is actively looking for new recruits with a goal to be bouting in 2013 – and to have decided on a name first! We hold monthly co-ed scrimmages, and the boys attend our training sessions as well as having a dedicated men’s session once a week, though all our training is co-ed. Together with a bench crew, Team Zebra (both skating and non-skating) and fresh meat, the league currently stands at just over 100 members. Committee members are voted in to oversee the administration of the league, and the running of the league is split into several “workgroups” with all members expected to do their part with regards to volunteering their time in one or more of those groups. Skaters currently train up to three times a week, and there are also “Drop In Derby” classes that are open to non-members too as BRD like to share the derby love!

A key part of the BRD philosophy is to work with the community that supports us, so every year we vote on a charity to support through our fundraising efforts – the 2012 charity is Survive http://www.survivedv.org.uk/

Joining UKRDA is an exciting new move for the league, and we’re delighted to have been accepted!

The Crash Test Brummies (CTB) men’s roller derby league formed in February 2012 and draws on a pool of skaters from across the Midlands districts, most of which were previously, and remain, active participants with local women’s leagues as coaches, referees, announcers and non-skating officials (including the Central City Rollergirls, Coventry City Roller Dolls, Birmingham Blitz Dames, Evolution Rollergirls and Wolverhampton Honour Rollers).

The Crash Test Brummies main aim is to promote participation in the sport of roller derby, across the gender spectrum, in the local area and at a national/international level through the involvement in competition. Sporting behaviour is at the centre of their ethos and win or lose, they’re full of ‘derby love’ for those who skate with or against them, and whilst they play to win, their primary interest is in playing for the love of derby itself.

Recruitment is ongoing with more skaters coming into the fold, pulling in a diverse range of people, from complete beginners (with the assistance of established local leagues) through ex-roller hockey players and speed skaters to already active derby participants who’re looking for an opportunity to take on a new role, be that as a player, coach, etc.

CTB are also forming strong relationships with other men’s leagues through closed events, scrimmaging, and hosting guest skaters at their practices and so on. Highlighting their rapid progress, it’s worth noting that, a mere 8 months after forming, they’ve already hosted two closed bouts, competed in the 2012 MERDC, won 1 open bout, and have attended various scrimmages with other men’s leagues across the country and have a very full diary for the year ahead! One of the Managing Directors JC/DC said “We consider our historic membership into the UKRDA a privilege, this an exciting time for us, and we look forward to working with the UKRDA towards helping to build a prosperous future for UK roller derby”