2.5
Five stars for the Roller Derby! ...but venue staff need EDI training
Auld Reekie Roller Derby hosted a triple header as part of the Five Nations championships and I went along to review it for Euan's Guide.
Roller derby is a fantastic sport and has inclusivity at its heart. It is very popular amongst the LGBTQIA+ community. The league hosting the game have an inspiring equality and inclusion policy that makes my heart sing, you can read it on their website here: https://auldreekierollerderby.com/about/equality-and-inclusion/
Roller derby games take place across the country and I highly recommend you to go and check out a game!
So what is roller derby? Essentially it is a race between two skaters ('jammers') around a track. Each jammer has four teammates on track with them ('blockers') whose job it is to stop the jammer from the other team from passing them (as points are scored by jammers for each blocker they pass on the race around the track). It's a physical game, it's played on rollerskates, it's really fast, there is no ball, there are a lot of rules. But mostly - it's so much fun to watch.
There were bleachers at this venue to watch the roller derby from. People who use wheelchairs (I counted a couple in the audience!) could sit at the base of the bleachers with their friends and the other supporters.
There are announcers who keep spectators informed of what is going on and crack bad jokes. There was a cake stall, and craft stalls. A burrito van was in the car park for skaters, officials and spectators who fancied something more substantial than cake. There was chuck a duck (100 mini rubber ducks thrown at a target at half time to win a prize). It's a great family atmosphere.
I have been torn writing this review, as whilst the roller derby community go to such tremendous efforts to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone, EuansGuide.com is set up to review venues. Unfortunately, I witnessed a young disabled person (who was not at the venue to watch the roller derby) get harassed by the venue's receptionist for having an assistance dog with them. This contravened the Equalities Act 2010, and was just, well.... mean.
If I could give Auld Reekie Roller Derby 5 out of 5 stars I would!
And I give the venue a "please try harder and get some Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training sorted out for your staff."
Auld Reekie Roller Derby hosted a triple header as part of the Five Nations championships and I went along to review it for Euan's Guide.
Roller derby is a fantastic sport and has inclusivity at its heart. It is very popular amongst the LGBTQIA+ community. The league hosting the game have an inspiring equality and inclusion policy that makes my heart sing, you can read it on their website here: https://auldreekierollerderby.com/about/equality-and-inclusion/
Roller derby games take place across the country and I highly recommend you to go and check out a game!
So what is roller derby? Essentially it is a race between two skaters ('jammers') around a track. Each jammer has four teammates on track with them ('blockers') whose job it is to stop the jammer from the other team from passing them (as points are scored by jammers for each blocker they pass on the race around the track). It's a physical game, it's played on rollerskates, it's really fast, there is no ball, there are a lot of rules. But mostly - it's so much fun to watch.
There were bleachers at this venue to watch the roller derby from. People who use wheelchairs (I counted a couple in the audience!) could sit at the base of the bleachers with their friends and the other supporters.
There are announcers who keep spectators informed of what is going on and crack bad jokes. There was a cake stall, and craft stalls. A burrito van was in the car park for skaters, officials and spectators who fancied something more substantial than cake. There was chuck a duck (100 mini rubber ducks thrown at a target at half time to win a prize). It's a great family atmosphere.
I have been torn writing this review, as whilst the roller derby community go to such tremendous efforts to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone, EuansGuide.com is set up to review venues. Unfortunately, I witnessed a young disabled person (who was not at the venue to watch the roller derby) get harassed by the venue's receptionist for having an assistance dog with them. This contravened the Equalities Act 2010, and was just, well.... mean.
If I could give Auld Reekie Roller Derby 5 out of 5 stars I would!
And I give the venue a "please try harder and get some Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training sorted out for your staff."
