The league was formed in October 2006 following the resurgence of the sport via a grassroots movement of strong-minded women in the in 2001. This fast-paced, extreme, full-contact sport is quickly taking hold of the and leagues are now being set up all over the country.
We are the 's first league and the second to be formed in the . We are welcoming new recruits every week to build our strong, empowering, and friendly team. The league is currently comprised of 30+ members/directors who enjoy, manage and facilitate this democratic, grassroots organisation. 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 and love relaxing in our second home: Subside.
The Dames are a diverse team from a variety of backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. Our members work or study in industries such as banking, bartending, teaching, law and art to name just a few. Although some of our girls are tattooed punks, the only requirement for skating with the league is that members must be over 18 and enthusiastic. We are literally training our members from the ground up, some having never skated before at all. We practice three times a week to take all members through their Basic Skills training and beyond, to prepare for competition. And we're not just training the women who skate on our teams, but we are also giving full training to our male and female referees and announcers.
The Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames are representing on the national and international stage in regular bouts. Beginning serious competition in August 2007 in , the Dames represented in Team World. We followed on with a successful first home bout - making roller derby history by hosting the 's first inter-league bout against the London Rockin' Rollers and enjoyed another victory against Glasgow Rollergirls in April, with more than 500 fans in attendance. We have since gone on to bout against an all star Team side, the London Roller Girls, Stuttgart Valley Roller Girlz, Glasgow Rollergirls, Middlesbrough Milk Rollers, Leeds Roller Dolls and Auld Reekie Rollergirls.
The Dames are not just interested in bouting though. We are also committed to putting something back into the community that supports us, by volunteering our talents to assist charity organisations and local groups. Many fundraising and charity events are held such as Roller Blitz ('s first old skool roller disco); PHAB Camps charity sponsored skate; the European premiere of Hell on Wheels with mixed scrimmaging; karaoke night and supermarket bag packing. To end the 08/09 season we competed in Roll Britannia, the first ever European roller derby tournament, finishing in second place!
As you can see, we are a dedicated, passionate and motivated group of women who all work together to make this league a success and bring the unique and sexy sport of Roller Derby to .
