5 x 5 : 5th Blocker's 5th Birthday event! 19.11.16

It feels like it's been there forever but, if it were a person, it would just be starting school and would probably still need help tying its shoelaces. 5th Blocker Skates, run by our very own Marshall Lawless, came into being at the end of 2011 and is celebrating its 5th birthday in style this coming weekend!

Haberbashery & Marshall Lawless on the 5th Blocker steps waaaaaaay back at the start.

This Saturday, skaters from all over will be converging on the Arc in Glasgow for a day of scrimmages, followed by a karaoke party at Garnethill Multicultural Centre in the evening. There will be PRIZES and stalls, including a 5th Blocker one featuring sizing stock from many suppliers. For more details check out the event page here.

A Glasgow landmark for roller derby addicts, 5th Blocker also has an online shop for all your quad skate needs here. You can contact them for advice or information on stock, and if you pop into the store there's always someone on hand with knowledgeable advice on all things roller derby. As their leaflet says, you just can't be sad on rollerskates!

Stefanie Mainey of London Roller Girls popped in for a visit while she was up to run the GRD bootcamp earlier in the year.

If you've been inspired by all this talk of roller skates, and are looking for something new to do in the New Year, we've set the date for our next Glasgow Roller Recruits new skater intake: 8th January. Get it in your diaries, get those resolutions written, and we'll follow up sooooon with more information!

Game Preview: Raaaawrs versus kakaaaaws!

It's a clash of the titans! It's the game to end all games (or at least our Home Teams Season)! It's green versus red, prehistoric versus supernatural, dinos versus crows, raaaawrs versus kakaaaaws.... 

In the green corner: the CHALLENGERS, The T-WRECKS! Headed up this year by captains Shona Mercy and Jeneral Strike, the green machines have had a stellar season winning against both other Home Teams in the tournament with a healthy score of 220-135 against the Bad Omens in June. This reporter caught up with fellow blogsmith and diehard dino Puma Thurman to discuss the Wrecks' chances of making mincemeat out of the opposition on Saturday:

There have been some changes in the squad since the first HT event this year, most notably the absence of our beloved co-captain Strike (off hopping around Europe as we speak)! But we've got determination, a good influx of new blood and momentum behind us. We may have tiny useless arms but that's an advantage for forearms penalties and we've already survived several million years so we're ready to make it three out of three wins and stomp those pesky crows! 

The T-Wrecks after defeating the Death Stars in June. Photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy of Boutday.com.

And in the red corner: the reigning CHAMPS, the BAD OMENS!

Having won five out of six of the previous Home Teams seasons here at Glasgow the buoyant crows are feeling cocky going into this final match up. Fever and Janie Bones have been leading the charge for the Omens this season; Bones had this to say when we asked for a few words before heading into Saturday's showdown:

We had a bit of a shaky start at the beginning of the season with a loss to the Wrecks, but the team have worked hard and smashed our way into the final. We're going to be strong and together and make the T-Wrecks extinct! KAKAW!

The Bad Omens crowing after winning their game against the Death Stars in October. Photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy of Boutday.com.

Two fierce teams. One last match up. Who will win? One thing's for sure, this is a game not to be missed! Tickets are a mere £6 in advance from our events page, or £8 on the door. 

When T-Wrecks met Bad Omens back in June the dinos won the day. But who will take home the trophy in the final?! Photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy of Boutday.com.

Dublin A vs Irn Bruisers - 5.11.16

Game poster for Dublin A vs Irn Bruisers; courtesy of Dublin Roller Derby.

Remember, remember the 5th of November (which isn't hard as it's only in two days time as I write this, and even my attention span isn't that short) - our Irn Bruisers are taking a short trip over the sea to face up to Dublin Roller Derby's A Team.

The teams last played each other two years ago, 8th November 2014, when the Bruisers dominated the game with the score 118-29 at half time, and the Irn Bruisers taking the win 249-82.

The Irn Bruisers about to face up to Dublin A back in 2014; image courtesy of Dave McAleavy boutday.com

Our team has seen a lot of change in recent times, with a number of notable departures but also plenty of new talent. Over at the Scottish Roller Derby blog, they're predicting an Irish victory and certainly that's what the current stats would support. They have eleven members on the Team Ireland training squad and have had a pretty strong season, but our Irn Bruisers won't make it easy for them. We've got plenty of fight and we're packing it all with our skates, safety gear and clean underwear ready for the weekend.

Some of the action from the last time GRD met DRD; photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy boutday.com 

The game starts at 1pm, and will be live-tweeted from @DRDscores so if you can't be there onthe day you can keep up to date with all the action. Hey ho GLASGOW!