***If you are interested in interviewing, filming or photographing the London Rollergirls at training sessions, this must be arranged in advance. Please contact PR@londonrollergirls.com to let us know when you’d like to come along.***
We are sorry, but we cannot accommodate press or PR visitors who haven’t first contacted us.
Select Saturdays or Sundays – as scheduled
Basic skills — this session is specially designed for first-timers and beginners to attend; you must attend one of these sessions before participating in League practices. Potential rollergirls are asked to be proficient with basic skating skills in order to progress past the BSS intake.
Tuesdays
League advanced practice — for skaters who have passed their minimum skills assessments and been cleared to scrimmage only.
8:00 - 10:00pm
City of London Academy
240 Lynton Road
London
SE1 5LA
MAP: http://www.cityacademy.co.uk/map.html
NOTE: If you are walking South from Bermondsey, you will see CoLA on the left at the intersection of St. James and Lynton–don’t go in that direction. Take a right on Lynton, and you should see an open gate next to some basketball courts and a big park that leads into the sports hall.
Transport: The nearest tube station is Bermondsey, which is on the Jubilee line.
Thursdays
League practice — for anyone who has participated in at least one basic skills training session with us before.
8:30 - 10:00pm
Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre
Brentfield
Harrow Road
NW10 0RG
MAP (http://maps.google.co.uk/)
Transport: Stonebridge Park Station is served by the Bakerloo Line, and London Overground Services from Euston. There are also buses.
Saturdays
League practice — for anyone who has participated in at least one basic skills training session with us before.
6:00 - 8:00pm
Brixton Recreation Centre
27 Brixton Station Road
Brixton
London
SW9 8QQ
MAP (http://maps.google.co.uk)
Transport: Brixton Tube station is served by the Victoria line, and London Overground from Victoria train station.
**We occasionally host special events (such as bouts, socials, charity events, etc..) on days when we have scheduled training, if you are planning on coming for the first time, please contact us to join our training email list which always has the most up to date information about our sessions.
If there are any changes to the regular training venues we will post them here.
Please be on time or early to allow us to take attendance, and collect dues in time to begin skating promptly.
If you are not on monthly dues the cost to skate is £5 per session.
Potential recruits or simply curious folks wanting to know more about LRG are welcome to come and watch a practice to see what we’re about. Just drop us an email at info(at)londonrollergirls.com and let us know you’re coming down. Currently we can only take new skaters at designated Basic Skills sessions, but potential refs are welcome to come and skate anytime.
Equipment: You’ll need quad skates, kneepads, elbow pads, wristguards, a skate helmet and a mouthguard. You want good quality thick ‘aggressive’ pads - you’ll be relying on them a lot! We can’t emphasize enough the value of good pads. Your knees will thank you! Tailbone protector pads are available but optional. There are posts on the forum about the kind of thing you need, or you can download our What You Need document.
Also have a look at our stretching guide.
FAQ:
Q: I want to come see what roller derby is all about but I don’t have skates?
LRG: Come anyway and check us out. Just throw us an email info(at)londonrollergirls.com and let us know when you want to come down. We hold intake sessions every few months so you will have plenty of notice to get skates and protective gear before coming to one. If you really need to borrow some kit for an intake session, some girls will lend out old skates/pads etc, but you need to arrange this with them individually (try asking on the forum). Bear in mind kit isn’t always available to borrow, and it’s a good idea to get some of your own so you can practice skating by yourself anyway.
Q: What if I have never skated before?
LRG: You need to be able to skate to at least a basic level before you can join us. If you’re brand new to wheels it’s a good idea to take a couple of skating lessons, or if you’re just rusty you could spend some time practicing at roller discos, skate rinks, or in the London parks.
Q: Can I come on rollerblades/inlines?
LRG: Refs can use rollerblades but if you want to be a rollergirl it’s best to get comfortable on quads as we don’t allow training on inlines. The game is played on quads so you’ll have to give up your blades sooner rather than later anyway ;)
Q: I see it costs £5 for a practice, why?
LRG: This charge is to help cover the cost of hiring out the practice venue. But you don’t have to pay if you are coming down just to see what we are about. Also, visitors/spectators coming down to support you don’t have to pay. Just let us know that they are coming.
Q: I am not sure what equipment to buy?
LRG: Good quality protective pads are the most important thing. You do get what you pay for with pads and it’s worth paying a little extra for good protection - you WILL fall a lot! You need kneepads, elbow pads, wristguards, a helmet and mouthguard. Come onto the forum and you can ask the girls for advice before you purchase anything. Or just come along to a practice and chat to us - we’re always happy to help a new girl get started.
Q: The sport looks pretty rough, will I get hurt?
LRG:Well, it is a full contact sport, on wheels, and injuries do happen, but we wear padding (knee, elbow and wristguards), helmets and mouthguards as protection. We practice falling techniques and strength training so that we don’t injure ourselves or each other. We have at least one trained First Aider at practice always and carry the correct First Aid supplies. Despite all this you should expect bruises at the very least…
Q: Can I bring my friend or boyfriend/girlfriend down to watch ?
LRG: Of course, just let us know when and who is coming down. This is just so we know what to expect. We are always looking for more skating refs and non-skaters to get involved with score keeping, stats geekery, bout staff, cheerleading etc. There are a whole load of other things that need people who don’t have to be doing the sport or skating.
If you have any more questions about anything contact us or better, come onto the forum and ask us there.
