Bristol Roller Derby

Metro area	Bristol
Country	England
Founded	2010
Teams	Bristol Roller Derby A (Women's) Bristol Roller Derby B (Women's) Bristol Roller Derby Men's Team Vice Quad Bristol Roller Derby Allstars (Co-ed team)
Track type(s)	Flat
Venue	Merchants Academy Bristol
Website	www.bristolrollerderby.com

Bristol Roller Derby (BRD) is a roller derby league based in Bristol. Founded in 2010, the league consists of two women's roller derby teams, a men's team, a Co-Ed team and a fledgling juniors team.^[1]

History

The league was founded early in 2010 by Tuisku Sarrala, Anna Wong, Laura Phillips, Laura Lopez, Maria Cormack, Simone Bennett and Verona.^{[citation needed]} Anna Wong, who had previously played the sport in New Zealand, became the league's head coach for the inaugural year, before returning to New Zealand in January 2011.^[2] Originally known as the Bristol Harbour Harlots,^[3] that title is now reserved for its travel team. By mid-2011, the league had more than seventy skaters, and had hosted a sell-out bout.^[4][5]

One of the league's founder members, Tuisku Sarrala (derby name The Blizzard), competed for Team Finland at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup.^[6][7][8]

On 1 November 2012, Bristol Roller Derby merged with another local roller derby team, Anarchic Die Hard Derby (ADHD).^[9] ADHD's founders were skaters who were unable to join Bristol Roller Derby during a period in which Bristol's recruitment was closed.^[9] Following the merger, ADHD became Bristol's fourth home team, bringing the number of active skaters to over 50. Together with officials, the Fresh Meat intake of October 2012, and non-skating members, the league membership stood at over 100 members at the beginning of November 2012.^{[citation needed]}

In December 2012, the league was accepted as a member of the United Kingdom Roller Derby Association.^[10]

In 2016, they were discussed in an article on bears associated with Bristol, in which members Grizzly and Bear Thrylls featured.^[11]

League Structure

Travel Teams

• Bristol Roller Derby A (women's, previously known as The Harbour Harlots).^[12][13]
• Bristol Roller Derby B (women's, referred to as The Bees).^[14]
• Vice Quad (men's team)^[15]
• Bristol All-Stars (co-ed)^[16]

Home Teams^{[citation needed]}

The league has four women's home teams:

• ADHD
• Daughters of Anarchy
• Project Mayhem
• Smash Vandals

Drop in Derby

"Drop In Derby" sessions are run for anyone over 11 wanting to skate or learn roller derby.^[17] Unlike other training sessions organised by the league, attendees do not have to be a member of the club to participate. There are no attendance requirements or prior skating skills required.

British Roller Derby Championships

In 2016 both the women's A team and the men's team achieved promotion in the British Championships tournament, the men into tier 3 and the women into premier tier 1.

Their 2017 season was featured in the local press.^[18]

On 16 September 2018, the Co-Ed All-Stars beat the North Wales Men's team to gain promotion into Tier 2 of the British Championships. This game was streamed on BBC Sport, a first for the team.^{[citation needed]}

Bouts

The table below lists the bouts played by the Bristol Roller Derby's travel teams – the Harbour Harlots