Manchester Roller Derby

Manchester Roller Derby (MRD) is a flat track roller derby league based in Manchester, England. Founded in 2010, as the first co-ed league in the UK, they became members of the Men's Roller Derby Association in December 2012 and of United Kingdom Roller Derby Association in November 2013.[1][2]

Manchester Roller Derby
League logo
The logo of Manchester Roller Derby
Metro areaManchester
CountryEngland
Founded2010
TeamsValkyries (women's A team)
Furies (women's B team)
New Wheeled Order (men's A team)
Chaos Engine (men's B team)
Track type(s)Flat
VenueVarious
AffiliationsMRDA
Websitewww.manchesterrollerderby.com

History

Initially formed in 2010,[3] MRD attracted attention in early 2011 when the league's original women's team played Hot Wheel Roller Derby at the Manchester Academy[4] in a sell-out bout.[5]

In November 2012, MRD hosted a bout as part of the New York Shock Exchange's 'Shock the UK' tour, which saw New Wheeled Order bout against the New York team. This was the first intercontinental men's flat track derby game.[6]

The league formed a co-ed team known as the MRD Allstars to participate in the UK's first co-ed roller derby tournament in January 2013.[7] MRD Allstars won this tournament against competition from Birmingham's Wheels of Mass Destruction, Nottingham Roller Derby and Sheffield Roller Derby.[8]

As of March 2020, New Wheeled Order are ranked 7th in the MRDA.[9]

As of 2022, Manchester Valkyries are Manchester Roller Derby's WFTDA team. The team was formed in 2022 as part of the return to track effort, in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Manchester Valkyries' first public game was the Five Nations Roller Derby (5NRD) “Back on Track Showcase” in August 2022. Since then, Manchester Valkyries have continued to compete and most notably were crowned the North West Quest tournament winners in October 2022.

In 2023 Manchester Valkyries will be competing in tier 3 west of the Five Nations Roller Derby tournament.

League Structure

The league consists of four teams:

  • Valkyries (A, WFTDA-aligned, formed 2022)
  • CheckerBroads (A, WFTDA-aligned, formed October 2010 - Retired in 2019)[10]
  • New Wheeled Order (A, MRDA-aligned, formed December 2011)[11]
  • Furies (B, WFTDA-aligned, formed 2012)[12]
  • Chaos Engine (B, MRDA-aligned, formed 2013)[13]

The league has a skater induction program, called Zero 2 Hero, to teach the skills needed for playing roller derby.[14][15]

Affiliation

In December 2012, MRD was accepted as one of the first three non-American members of the Men's Roller Derby Association.[1] The league became a member of the United Kingdom Roller Derby Association in November 2013.[2] MRD league members have expressed interest in being affiliated with the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, but the league did not meet the WFTDA membership requirements[16] due to it being a co-ed league consisting of both women and men until 2020. The Valkyries have been a WFTDA team since September 2020[17]

References
  1. "MRDA | MRDA Goes International With Its Six New Members". 15 March 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  2. "Welcome to Manchester Roller Derby! – United Kingdom Roller Derby Association". 16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  3. Glendinning, Amy (15 February 2015). "Manchester Roller Derby: We try out the fast and furious sport which is gaining in popularity". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  4. "Roll with it... after all roller derby is a wonderbrawl - Manchester Evening News". 6 March 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  5. "Roller derby makes a play for Manchester sport fans". BBC News. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  6. "The New York Shock Exchange is Going to Europe! : New York Shock Exchange - NYC Mens Roller Derby". 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  7. "NRG presents the UK’s first Co-Ed Tournament", Nottingham Roller Derby, 14 January 2013
  8. "Co-Ed Tournament | Roller Derby Stats & Rankings | Flat Track Stats". flattrackstats.com. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  9. "Current Rankings". Mens Roller Derby Association. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  10. "CheckerBroads | Manchester Roller Derby". www.manchesterrollerderby.org. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  11. "New Wheeled Order | Manchester Roller Derby". www.manchesterrollerderby.org. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  12. "Furies | Manchester Roller Derby". www.manchesterrollerderby.org. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  13. "Chaos Engine | Manchester Roller Derby". www.manchesterrollerderby.org. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  14. "Zero 2 Hero | Manchester Roller Derby". www.manchesterrollerderby.org. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  15. Kelly, Hana (21 August 2021). "Six alternative sports in Manchester if you're allergic to the gym". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  16. "How to Join WFTDA Archived 22 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine", WFTDA
  17. http://flattrackstats.com/teams/8958
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