Hello, it’s been a while! Like many roller derby leagues in the UK, Norfolk Roller Derby returned to track in late 2021, following advice from the WFTDA’s brilliant Return to Play Guidelines. Since then, we have been busy; in the last two months alone we have welcomed skaters new and old, participated in Norwich’s Lord Mayor’s Procession, skated in Norwich Pride, held a tie-dye party, and headed to Gorleston to help litter pick with local non-profit Norfolk Beach Cleans. And now we are happy to announce that we are not only back at training and local events, but back competitively, too!
Norfolk Roller Derby’s WFTDA-aligned A-Team, the Norfolk Brawds, will return to track on 24th September for their first game since 2019! They will be playing Kent Roller Derby in a double-header that will also see Kent Men’s Roller Derby take on East Midlands Open Roller Derby.
The Norfolk Brawds and Kent Roller Derby have faced off twice before, in games coincidentally a mere week apart in September 2016. Both teams have one win each – with Kent securing victory during the British Championships Tier 3 Playoffs in Nottingham, and the Brawds winning at home the following weekend. Back in the day the stat-savvy of us would use Flat Track Stats to make predictions; but with six years, multiple rule updates, and the panini between their last games and now, it is difficult to comment upon either team in its current form until we see them battle it out on track next month.
And this is, perhaps, what makes all upcoming derby games so exciting. After an obviously awful few years, many teams are in positions to begin thinking about competitive play once again following their cautious return to training in late 2021/early 2022. For most, these games will be their first in years, featuring completely different rosters and procedures to those before 2020. The results of these games will generate new data which will inform new metas, strategies, and team rankings in post-lockdown UK roller derby. Basically – pay attention to who is playing whom in the upcoming months, it’s going to be very interesting, especially if you’re a fan of stats!
Going back to Kent vs the Brawds – the one thing we know for sure is that Kent has the home team advantage. They will be hosting the upcoming double-header at the Bay Sports Arena in Herne Bay, a hefty 3+ hour drive away from Norfolk Roller Derby’s home turf of Norwich. If you’re a Brawds supporter and fancy making the journey, tickets are just £5 each, or four for £15. If you’re a Kent local – come along and support your local roller derby team!