This week is full of good news for Leeds Roller Dolls. You’ll have read by now about our new team captains (If not, you can read all about it here ) and our ref squad also have new roles to announce.

Matt the Knife, previously our Head Ref, will now be Assistant Head Ref. Knife, as we like to call him, has been refereeing for LRD since before time began. Or thereabouts. He is a greatly respected referee in UK roller derby and has put in a huge amount of effort in making our ref squad one of the best squads around.

Our Head Ref this season will be Boris Snarloff. Boris made LRD very proud last year, when he gained Level 1 Certification in the WFTDA Roster of Certified Officials. Boris has been with LRD since 2009 and is known for always keep a cool head under pressure… even if you tickle him under the armpits when he’s checking your kit (please note – do NOT try this yourself, he can have you ejected for that, you know…). LRD would like to thank Boris for working hard to keep Leeds Roller Dolls at the forefront of progress in worldwide Roller Derby.

Talking of which…

On Sunday, we held our AGM, voted in new captains and new team names, ushering in a new era for Leeds Roller Dolls as we face some exciting bouts in 2012 (more on that to come soon, we promise!)

We now have a slightly different league structure in place and our awesome second team, The Whip-Its now have their own permanent captain and vice-captain. We also now have a new name for our first team. Last season, they simply skated as Leeds Roller Dolls but to differentiate between the two teams, the first team are now THE REBEL ROSES, in homage to the Yorkshire Rose, of course.

So… drum roll please…!

Happy New Year!!!

Leeds Roller Dolls are recruiting! If you want to come and join us to become a kick-ass sports woman, we are having a taster session on Tuesday 17th January.

This will be followed by the next Ragdoll Academy intake.

We welcome skaters of all abilities (even those of you that have never skated before)

If you want to come and try it out email:recruit@leedsrollerdolls.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Jason Ruffell

The groups have been announced for the first ever Roller Derby World Cup. This exciting Derby event is being held in Toronto from 1 - 4 December; and there is a real buzz about Team England after London's amazing play in the regionals earlier this year.

Skaters across the country have been training hard and our very own Feral Fairy is in the Team England squad. We caught up with her to find out how she is preparing for the trip to Toronto.

How did you feel when you found out you were on team England?

Shocked, ecstatic...I just couldn't believe it, I still have to remind
myself it is real, I will actually be part of Roller Derby history
because I will be skating in the first EVER Roller Derby World Cup. It
is unreal!

Love Roller Derby but not sure the skating or full contact is for you?

Want to still get involved and help out your favourite team?

We are looking for all those people who love a bit of Geekery and most importantly love Roller Derby

Our non skating Officials and Support Crews are a vital part of our team and we are recruiting!

If you are interested email us at recruit@leedsrollerdolls.co.uk