Bristol Roller Derby

Updated on Jan 25, 2024

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

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 and a men's team.

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.

History

The league was founded early in 2010 by Tuisku Sarrala, Anna Wong, Laura Phillips, Laura Lopez, Maria Cormack, Simone Bennett and Verona. This group set up the first Bristol Roller Derby training session. Anna Wong, who had previously played the sport in New Zealand, became the league's head coach for the initial year of the league, before returning to New Zealand in January 2011. It was originally known as the Bristol Harbour Harlots, but 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.

One skater from the league, Tuisku Sarrala, known as "The Blizzard", competed for Team Finland at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup.

On 1 November 2012, Bristol Roller Derby merged with another local roller derby team, Anarchic Die Hard Derby (ADHD). ADHD became the fourth home team for BRD, bringing the number of active women 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.

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

Harbour Harlots

The Harbour Harlots (A and B) are the travel teams for Bristol Roller Derby.

ADHD

ADHD was founded in early 2011 as a separate league named "Anarchic Die Hard Derby". Its founders were skaters who were unable to join Bristol Roller Derby, during a period in which Bristol's recruitment was closed. In November 2012, it merged with Bristol Roller Derby, becoming its fourth home team.

Daughters of Anarchy

Daughters of Anarchy is one of the four women's home teams.

Project Mayhem

Project Mayhem was one of Bristol Roller Derby's original home teams, circa 2011-2013.

Smash Vandals

Smash Vandals is one of the four women's home teams.

Vice Quad

The Vice Quad is Bristol Roller Derby's men's team.

Drop in Derby (a.k.a. The T-Recs)

"Drop In Derby" sessions are run for anyone wanting to skate or learn roller derby. Unlike other training session 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. For more information or to contact Drop In, take a look here.