As a massive fan of Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut: Whip It, I already knew more than most about the sport of Roller Derby. From what I’d seen on-screen it was rough, tough and didn’t take itself too seriously, and on Saturday 28th July at the Valley Leisure Centre the Belfast Roller Derby did not disappoint.
This was BRD’s Block and Roll All Nite and as we walked through the doors, it was clear that this was a professional operation, with a raffle, purple wrist-bands (our team colours were purple and green), a merch stall, a tuck shop (selling popcorn, candy floss and other treats) and an announcer to get the crowd going.
Tickets were £5 in advance or £7 at the door and under 10s got in for free.
The stalls were packed; the crowd was suitably rowdy as a result of a few beers being sneaked into the hall and spirits were high as they chanted and sang loud enough to compete with any football hooligans.
Then, shortly before 8pm the rules of the game were explained and any other questions were quickly answered by looking in the programme provided (which by the way, was extremely informative and professionally done – with player profiles, pictures of every player and diagrams to explain the rules).
For those who don’t know, the basics look a little bit like this:
So it was the Belfast Banshees against the Parma Violents of Scotland, and right from when the first whistle was blown, the game was on. This is not a game for the feint hearted and these girls can really throw their weight around, with one of the opposing team having to leave in a stretcher (whilst the crowd applauded her effort). The jammers to watch from the Belfast Banshees were mcslay and Puscifer who literally skated rings around the Parma Violents while the crowd cheered on.
To be perfectly honest, it was obvious that the Banshees were miles ahead of the Parma Violents in both points and preparation, and at half time the score was 162 to us and 22 to them.
At half time we went and picked up some merch at the merch stand which was extremely well stocked with various colours and styles of t-shirts, bottle openers, headbands and laces and then there was a raffle drawn, with the top prize of a bottle of buckfast going to a rather appreciative member of the audience.
As the jams continued throughout the night it was clear that despite the show and bravado of the game, there is a lot to be said for team spirit and at the end, the other team was applauded, not boo’d. The game ended with the Belfast Banshees winning 251 points to 86, much to the crowd’s delight.
The names where genius: Hannahbolic Steroids, Sigourney Cleaver and Finn McCruel being some of our favourites. And the referees get a special mention for their hilarious names such as: Jean Quad Grand Slam, Reff Goldblum and Quad’s Law. The theme of the night was Kiss and the girls had dressed up for the occasion, with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley-esque face paints to help them look the part. Overall, a night at the roller derby was a good one, tons of fun, loads of bruises and a fun-filled night of family entertainment. Also, for those who didn’t want the party to end here, the afterparty was held in The Hudson Bar from 10pm with the Sabrejets playing (and entry was free with a BRD wristband).
