© Melinda Shelton – TCR in action

As Whip It has just come out in the UK, my next “Birmingham meet Birmingham” post is going be on roller derby. Yay! [Transparency: I skated at a CCR practice once and fell flat on my ass/arse.]

So it’s time to introduce Brum’s rollergirls to the US ladies that helped kickstart the whole roller derby revival. Ladies, feel free to internationally trade pun bout names…

First up from the UK, not one but three teams of violent Brummie lovelies on eight wheels…

1. BIRMINGHAM BLITZ DAMES, UK
Say hello to the Birmingham Blitz Dames who scrimmage in the Stockland Green area of Brum.

The girls: Gallery roster includes Helen Fury, Violet Attack, Tear E Hatchet and Kiki Kasplat.

About: “The league was formed in October 2006 by American transplant Bee Bentley (Bee Sting) following the resurgence of the sport via a grassroots movement of strong-minded women in the USA in 2001. [Ed _ see below.] …We consider ourselves a very happy family and don’t just meet in the sports halls. Off-skates training is also encourage and so is socializing. We are currently undertaking an All-You-Can-Eat tour of Birmingham and love relaxing in our second home: Subside.”

Blog: Here’s the Blitz Dames review of Whip It, after they skated round the cinema, that is.

Twitter: @blitzdames 

Facebook group: 845 members at time of writing. Here’s their page.

Second up is the…

2. CENTRAL CITY ROLLERGIRLS, UK
The Central City Rollergirls learn their skating chops at Cocks Moors Woods leisure centre in Kings Heath and also in neighbouring Redditch.

The girls: Gallery page should be coming soon, like their website. Ahem. Cough cough.

About: “The CCR are all about having fun and working hard together to promote a great team sport and offer girls a friendly and enjoyable environment to come learn to rollerskate, find out all about game and make some great friends at the same time!”

Myspace/blog: Most info is currently on here.

Facebook: 1243 members at time of writing. Here’s their page.

Finally, last summer saw a splinter group form…

3. SECOND CITY ROLLER BULLIES, UK
Bitter Sweet (formerly of the Blitz Dames) has skated off to form a new team. So check out the Second City Roller Bullies of the Tri-Country Rollers.

The girls: Gallery roster includes Bitter Sweet, Luna Riot, Titney Fears, Rolles West, and more.

Attitude: “The Tri-County Rollers and Second City Roller Bullies moto is ‘FIND YOUR TRIBE!‘ Everyone is welcome in the SCRBs! It doesn’t matter if you’re big and beautiful, a sexy in betweeny or a skinny minnie, there is a place for you in Roller Derby! You can be big or small, tall or short, blonde or brunette, you can be a punk or a metal ‘ead, shy and quiet or a bloody great big mouth, a hooker or a house wife! EVERYONE IS WELCOME! There is only one rule, you have to be over 18 years old! That’s it! There is no upper age limit!”

Blogs: All the info you need is here.

Twitter: @Brumrollerbully

Facebook: 980 fans at time of writing. Here’s their page.

In Birmingham, Alabama, there is the one and only flat-track team (as far as I know):

1. TRAGIC CITY ROLLERGIRLS, USA
Over in Alabama„ meet the Tragic City Rollers. http://tragiccityrollers.com/ - a pisstake of “The Magic City”, which was Birmingham’s nickname it was built on iron and steel almost overnight. They practise at Funtime Skate Center in Fultondale, Alabama

The girls: Gallery roster includes captain Voodoo Lily, co-captain Punkin Disorderly, and team-mates Roxy Ramjett, Sookie Smackhouse, Lil Miss Perfect, Inapickle and more.

About: “The Tragic City Rollers are Birmingham Alabama’s all-girl flat track roller derby league! Formed in December 2005, we’re a fleet of bitches who know how to lay it down derby style! We play hard and we fight even harder, all the while keeping the pigtails curled and the fishnets in stock!”

History: One of the 30 all woman (skater owned and operated) roller derby leagues at the heart of the movement to revive roller derby in the United States.

Attitude: “Roller derby is more than just a sport; it is social activism, community service, and a character-building activity for women across socio-economic divisions and social backgrounds. … Not only do we  strive to promote camaraderie and fairness in standards and sportsmanship, but also local community-based charities and businesses, like Rape Response, Race for the Cure and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

WLTM: “Bitches who brawl! And all our bad ass derby fans!”

Facebook: 1,451 fans  at time of upload. Join the club.

Twitter: @TCR