The exciting sport of roller derby is returning to the city centre this September, in what is set to go down in roller derby history as the most intense and closely-fought game of 2013.
After hosting a number of highly successful games, commonly referred to as ‘bouts’, in Urmston over the last year, Manchester Roller Derby (MRD) is set to bring roller derby back to the city centre, where ticket holders will be treated to not one but two games of the full-contact sport.
The supporting event will be Manchester Roller Derby’s Furies (B) vs Liverpool Roller Birds B Team. The last time these teams met was at The Great British Skate Off in July 2012, and MRD’s Furies have a score to settle after their 178 – 129 defeat.
Roller derby is a fast-paced, hard-hitting sport, which has been described as ‘like rugby on roller skates’.
The main event will see Manchester Roller Derby’s CheckerBroads (A) face Liverpool Roller Birds A team for the first time since March 2012, where the scores ended up MRD’s CheckerBroads 211 – 173 Liverpool Roller Birds. Manchester’s CheckerBroads will be keen to defend this victory on home turf.
Roller derby is a fast-paced, hard-hitting sport, which has been described as ‘like rugby on roller skates’. The full contact sport is played on quad roller skates and has seen an influx of interest in the UK since the release of Drew Barrymore’s Whip It, which hit cinemas in 2009 with its tagline: “Be your own hero.”
Two teams skate together on an oval track and points are scored by one individual from each team, known as a jammer. The jammers must fight to get through the pack against hard defensive play from the opposing team and with the help of their own team. Each jammer scores points by passing members of the opposing team.
21-year-old skater, known as ‘Cee-Lo Mean’, from Liverpool says, “Liverpool Roller Birds have a great relationship with MRD, yet on track that’ll only make the Birds more competitive. It’ll be hard-fought from the first whistle and we’re excited to see which team will get the better of the other.”
‘Kerried Alive’, 30-year-old skater from Manchester added, “Last time we met these girls it was a fierce bout and we took home the victory from Liverpool. Now we’re on our home turf, we know they’re out to take their revenge but we’re determined to show our mettle and make Manchester proud once more.”
The bout is being held at the Sugden Sports Centre, just off Oxford Road on Saturday 14 September 2013. Doors open at 1pm and first whistle will be at 2pm. Children are welcome as this is a family friendly event. There will be cakes, merchandise stalls, DJs and a raffle.
Tickets cost just £7 in advance and can be bought from Manchester Roller Derby’s
official website http://www.manchesterrollerderby.com.
