This weekend in derby:
Two bouts in Denmark
#18 Helsinki vs #23 Copenhagen. Both teams have been improving as of late, with Helsinki's stellar performance in Track Queens. This is a chance for the Danes to link themselves to such a rising star and perhaps climb out of the 20s into the teens.
#102 Nidaros vs #109 Copenhagen [B]. I don't know much about these two, except that it will help connect Scandinavian derby. The only one that's missing at this double header are the Swedes. Did their invitation get lost in the mail?
Two bouts in Scotland
#69 Rainy City [B] vs #71 Dundee. Dundee had been climbing the rankings before teams from the continent were included. Now, they look to go up to 6-1 with a win over the 3-3 Rainy City B squad.
#15 Auld Reekie vs #6 Glasgow. One of the bouts I've always wanted to see, this is the second meeting of the Roll'd Firm. These two have exchanged the top spot in Scotland 4 times in the last year, and Glasgow hold the series lead 1-0. Can Auld Reekie even the score, and climb back up the chart? Or will Glasgow solidify their position as the dominant Scottish team?
Two bouts in Wales
#81 Severn vs #117 Swansea. The Slayers open their 2013 campaign with a hard-but-winnable bout at home. This win would set them even at 4-4, wheras SRT are looking to get their first win of the last 12 months, having lost the last 6.
#3 LRG [B] vs #10 Tiger Bay. Is it wrong to call this the main event? If I still lived in Wales, I would be glad to have the opportunity to see Swansea early, then pop over to Cardiff for their toughest bout yet. The Brawlers are 6-3 in the last 12 months, losing to Glasgow most recently by only 6 points, and have recently climbed from UK's top ten into all Europe's top 10. London Rollergirls [B] are the unquestioned #3 in Europe, with a 6-0 record. Can Tiger Bay record a historic upset, and deal LRG[B] their first ever loss? According to the computer, it's a 33% chance. I can't wait to see the outcome of this one!
Great weekend for roller derby all over Europe. Good luck everyone, and stay tuned for scores as they post and new rankings on Monday!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Fairness and rankings
In a sport where there's a great deal of upheaval, it is unreasonable to have any sort of official ranking last more than one 'season'. Skaters come and go quickly, and some teams rise very, very quickly. Thus, if a ranking scheme is to pass the basic test of fairness, it must only take into account recent score, and not the scores of skaters who are no longer skating with their teams.
A scheme in which bouts never expire is unfair to the skaters. If a skater commits a mistake, costing that skater's team the win, that loss will be forever be represented in their ranking. In such a scheme, there is no redemption.
A skater can put in hard work for an entire season, and have a great effect on her team's ranking if, and only if, that team has a very short bouting record. If the team has been playing for 3 or more years, that skater cannot have a major effect on her team's ranking for years.
A scheme in which bouts never expire is unfair to the teams. New teams can quickly climb the rankings, or can stay near the bottom of the table, but their position will stagnate. The longer a team has been in existence, the more momentum its ranking has. Thus, a team who did well early in its career need not defend that title strenuously, but can count on the weight of the early bouts.
Such a ranking scheme is entirely unhelpful. It shows leagues that have had generally good careers but recent poor performance as good, whereas teams with years near the bottom but several wins in a row as poor teams. When choosing opponents, leagues cannot rely on such a ranking. No one plays their opponent's all-time team, they play their opponent's current team. Thus, such a ranking is at best an interesting intellectual exercise.
Roller derby is a sport that prides itself on fairness. This drives the notion that referees cannot offer assistance, only penalties, and the notion that a strong team shouldn't go easy on a weak team. Fairness is at the heart of the game. Why then use a system which is so patently unfair to those it claims to serve?
The WFTDA have done away with rankings that run the risk of "since the invention of derby..." As have the MRDA. While all-time rankings have a place, it is in newspapers as pundits debate the results of hypothetical bouts between the 2008 London Brawling and the 2013 Stockholm. However, they at best allow for an unfair estimation of the current performance of skaters and leagues, and run the risk of misleading other skaters and derby fans.
A scheme in which bouts never expire is unfair to the skaters. If a skater commits a mistake, costing that skater's team the win, that loss will be forever be represented in their ranking. In such a scheme, there is no redemption.
A skater can put in hard work for an entire season, and have a great effect on her team's ranking if, and only if, that team has a very short bouting record. If the team has been playing for 3 or more years, that skater cannot have a major effect on her team's ranking for years.
A scheme in which bouts never expire is unfair to the teams. New teams can quickly climb the rankings, or can stay near the bottom of the table, but their position will stagnate. The longer a team has been in existence, the more momentum its ranking has. Thus, a team who did well early in its career need not defend that title strenuously, but can count on the weight of the early bouts.
Such a ranking scheme is entirely unhelpful. It shows leagues that have had generally good careers but recent poor performance as good, whereas teams with years near the bottom but several wins in a row as poor teams. When choosing opponents, leagues cannot rely on such a ranking. No one plays their opponent's all-time team, they play their opponent's current team. Thus, such a ranking is at best an interesting intellectual exercise.
Roller derby is a sport that prides itself on fairness. This drives the notion that referees cannot offer assistance, only penalties, and the notion that a strong team shouldn't go easy on a weak team. Fairness is at the heart of the game. Why then use a system which is so patently unfair to those it claims to serve?
The WFTDA have done away with rankings that run the risk of "since the invention of derby..." As have the MRDA. While all-time rankings have a place, it is in newspapers as pundits debate the results of hypothetical bouts between the 2008 London Brawling and the 2013 Stockholm. However, they at best allow for an unfair estimation of the current performance of skaters and leagues, and run the risk of misleading other skaters and derby fans.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Support your not-so-local derby!
I know we were all excited to hear that LRG are going to be covered in a television documentary. It means that the sport we know and love is closer to the big time!
But why? Why are they filming practices, bouts, etc. and editing it into a documentary that I have no doubt will show the sport as difficult, dynamic, and absolutely loved by its participants? Because the TV producers have noted the growth of the game.
TV producers follow the money. If you'll forgive the Americanism, they follow the buck. Wherever the buck stops, they film. A few more independant producers work on behalf of causes, but most mainstream groups work for the benefit of their bank accounts.
Thus, TV sees money in derby. This is great! It means we, as a sport, are one step closer to being covered as a sport. One step closer to our scores showing up next to the Open Championship on the specialty page of the sports section. One step closer to a "bout of the week" on ESPN or Sky.
Imagine what that would do for recruitment!
Thing is, how do we best show the TV people that there's money in derby? They're not as concerned about the skaters, they're concerned about the fans. The money in sports coverage comes from advertising, and that ad money is linked to the number of fans watching the event.
Want more derby in the news, in papers, and on TV? Increase the fan base. Show that there's potential cash money being unrealised by not covering the best game on 8 wheels.
Thus, your job is twofold.
#1, go to every bout you can. Live in South Wales? See everything TBB, SCS, and Bristol do. Live in Manchester? You lucky skunk, you've got two leagues in Mancs, plus Liverpool and Wirral nearby. London? Besides LRG, LRR, and CRD, you should go as far as RWRG and BBHR whenever you can!
#2, advertise. Not just for your own league, but for all other leagues (who're nearby, and whose bouts don't conflict with your favourite league's). Talk up derby to your mates, to your mates' mates, and to the person you're sat next to at Starbucks. When you get that derby conversation comes around, know where and when the nearest upcoming bout is. If you can get one new fan, you've helped the game.
As well, we need a census. We need to know just how many skaters and leagues there are, but we also need to know how many people came to watch derby in the last year. Thus, when TV comes knocking, we can show them just how amazingly large and supportive our fan base is.
This Weekend (16-17 Feb)
This weekend in European derby:
Scandanavia has a packed schedule! Luleå take on Gothenburg, looking for the league's first win. Crime City play host to Finland's Dirty River, fresh off their Suomi Cup schedule, and the dominant Stockholm. Crime City's A-team have climbed from #11 to #8, and even a well-fought loss against Europe's #2 would improve that position.
A little action on the south side of the channel. Nantes and Metz play an A&B double header, and Rockcity take on One Love. Both of these have a wide gap between the teams, so there is certainly a potential for a continental shake-up! [UPDATE] I missed the Royal Windsor Roller Girls travelling down to Paris to face a tough test of their ability. If there was one bout I could go to this weekend...
SW:UK carries on. SWAT-Kernow looks a bit one-sided, although SWAT have been slipping down the table lately. Dorset take on Wilts, fresh off a very helpful defeat by Plymouth. Never have Dorset looked better!
North of the border, Fierce Valley face up against Preston. Both teams evenly ranked, both looking for their 2nd win in the last 12 months.
Oxford take on Leeds-B, in what looks like a major challenge for the southern side. A good result, even a good losing one, would certainly help them look like a rising regional power, as well as buoy up the rest of the Heartlands competitors.
Good luck to everyone bouting this weekend! If you're not bouting, try to make it over to your nearest bout.
Scandanavia has a packed schedule! Luleå take on Gothenburg, looking for the league's first win. Crime City play host to Finland's Dirty River, fresh off their Suomi Cup schedule, and the dominant Stockholm. Crime City's A-team have climbed from #11 to #8, and even a well-fought loss against Europe's #2 would improve that position.
A little action on the south side of the channel. Nantes and Metz play an A&B double header, and Rockcity take on One Love. Both of these have a wide gap between the teams, so there is certainly a potential for a continental shake-up! [UPDATE] I missed the Royal Windsor Roller Girls travelling down to Paris to face a tough test of their ability. If there was one bout I could go to this weekend...
SW:UK carries on. SWAT-Kernow looks a bit one-sided, although SWAT have been slipping down the table lately. Dorset take on Wilts, fresh off a very helpful defeat by Plymouth. Never have Dorset looked better!
North of the border, Fierce Valley face up against Preston. Both teams evenly ranked, both looking for their 2nd win in the last 12 months.
Oxford take on Leeds-B, in what looks like a major challenge for the southern side. A good result, even a good losing one, would certainly help them look like a rising regional power, as well as buoy up the rest of the Heartlands competitors.
Good luck to everyone bouting this weekend! If you're not bouting, try to make it over to your nearest bout.
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Rise of the Regional Tournament
That sounds silly, given as the WFTDA just did away with the "regionals." I'm not sure what they're calling the first round of the big 5, but this post does not refer to them. No, it refers to the locally run tournaments, representing parts of Europe (and the US, too).
The first time I heard about this sort of tournament was in South Carolina. At the time, there were 5 leagues in the Palmetto State, and they were of similar bouting ability. Thus, one of the leagues in the capital city of Columbia started a tournament to act as the "state championship."
These bouts were amazing! All the skaters, refs, NSOs, even the fans knew each other; the atmosphere was indescribable. I haven't been to one in years, and I hope they're still going.
I know the same thing happens in Texas, with the Governor's Cup.
Now, the Finns are in on the action. The Suomi Cup, featuring teams from across the Nordic country, has already had its first round of play. According to Sari Vahtera, this was the product of Team Finland.
After bringing together skaters from both major leagues, and a few of the minor leagues, they decided that they needed to keep skating together.
One of the major concerns is that of Helsinki, the frequent standard bearers for Finnish roller derby, and their European competitive season. According to Sari, "The timetable is made so that biggest leagues f.ex. Helsinki ... have their time to play WFTDA [sanctioned] bouts also." Thus, these leagues have the option to continue building their regional and global reputation, as well as competing for a national cup.
The South-Westerners are in on the game, too. SW:UK said that "over the last 12 months leading up to the season more teams have sprung up in the region, plus existing teams have got to the point where they are ready to actively bout on a regular basis."
Although there are no major WFTDA teams in this tournament, the level of excitement has been good at the bouts. As well, the double headers ensure that newer leagues don't struggle to fill ref and NSO positions, and can quickly improve their game.
Last year, the End of the World Series featured a number of teams from across England, and this year it grew into the Heartlands. This could be best called a super-league, as the word league is taken in the derby lexicon. Teams play all other teams in their conference, and then there is a playoff structure in place.
The almost-meteoric growth of Heartlands, combined with the other tournaments springing up, show the massive demand. Large leagues often play continent-scale schedules, bouting whomever they both fancy and can book. Strangely, these leagues often announce bouts only one at a time.
However, these tournaments ensure a steady supply of bouts for their members, and an open fixtures/results list to make it easier for fans to follow. I know when I try to preach derby to someone I meet, they invariably ask "how's the local team doing?" With a team in Heartlands, SW:UK, or Suomi Cup, the answer is easy.
The growth clearly indicates that these tournaments will play a major role in shaping the future of derby. I think they're a grand idea--skaters deciding that a form of regularity of schedule would be mutually beneficial, then making that happen. I can't wait to see more national cups spring up, and more regional ones in larger nations. Good luck to everyone in one, and everyone trying to set one up. Roll on!
The first time I heard about this sort of tournament was in South Carolina. At the time, there were 5 leagues in the Palmetto State, and they were of similar bouting ability. Thus, one of the leagues in the capital city of Columbia started a tournament to act as the "state championship."
These bouts were amazing! All the skaters, refs, NSOs, even the fans knew each other; the atmosphere was indescribable. I haven't been to one in years, and I hope they're still going.
I know the same thing happens in Texas, with the Governor's Cup.
Now, the Finns are in on the action. The Suomi Cup, featuring teams from across the Nordic country, has already had its first round of play. According to Sari Vahtera, this was the product of Team Finland.
After bringing together skaters from both major leagues, and a few of the minor leagues, they decided that they needed to keep skating together.
One of the major concerns is that of Helsinki, the frequent standard bearers for Finnish roller derby, and their European competitive season. According to Sari, "The timetable is made so that biggest leagues f.ex. Helsinki ... have their time to play WFTDA [sanctioned] bouts also." Thus, these leagues have the option to continue building their regional and global reputation, as well as competing for a national cup.
The South-Westerners are in on the game, too. SW:UK said that "over the last 12 months leading up to the season more teams have sprung up in the region, plus existing teams have got to the point where they are ready to actively bout on a regular basis."
Although there are no major WFTDA teams in this tournament, the level of excitement has been good at the bouts. As well, the double headers ensure that newer leagues don't struggle to fill ref and NSO positions, and can quickly improve their game.
Last year, the End of the World Series featured a number of teams from across England, and this year it grew into the Heartlands. This could be best called a super-league, as the word league is taken in the derby lexicon. Teams play all other teams in their conference, and then there is a playoff structure in place.
The almost-meteoric growth of Heartlands, combined with the other tournaments springing up, show the massive demand. Large leagues often play continent-scale schedules, bouting whomever they both fancy and can book. Strangely, these leagues often announce bouts only one at a time.
However, these tournaments ensure a steady supply of bouts for their members, and an open fixtures/results list to make it easier for fans to follow. I know when I try to preach derby to someone I meet, they invariably ask "how's the local team doing?" With a team in Heartlands, SW:UK, or Suomi Cup, the answer is easy.
The growth clearly indicates that these tournaments will play a major role in shaping the future of derby. I think they're a grand idea--skaters deciding that a form of regularity of schedule would be mutually beneficial, then making that happen. I can't wait to see more national cups spring up, and more regional ones in larger nations. Good luck to everyone in one, and everyone trying to set one up. Roll on!
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Cambrian Question, or why can't the Welsh manage the Welsh?
With the growth of International (nation-vs-nation) Roller Derby, the issue of forming national teams is raised. For most, the organisation exists already. Finland, Sweden, and Canada, for example, already have national associations.
However, Scotland, Wales, and England do not. What they have instead is the UKRDA, which has declared coverage over the entire UK.
The difficulty comes in forming teams England, Scotland, and Wales. (The Irish question will be left for a future article.)
UKRDA have recently issued a press release explaining their procedures for forming UKRDA-endorsed men's and women's national teams. Here is where the inherent difficulty makes itself known.
On their website, UKRDA list 28 member leagues. Of these, 23 are in England, 3 in Scotland, 1 in Northern Ireland, and 1 in Wales. Thus, the rules listed above are voted on by a majority English electorate.
The rules for UK-based skaters call for only skaters and coaches who are members of UKRDA affiliated leagues. Let us consider only the case of UK-based skaters.
Team England has 23 leagues in its own border from which to choose skaters, plus English skaters from Wales, Scotland, and N. Ireland. No where is there a set definitition of Englishness for the purpose of selection, but let us assume there is one that the UKRDA has yet to release publicly.
Team Wales, on the other hand, has only 1 league's worth of eligible skaters, plus ex-pats. Already, this puts them at a massive disadvantage. There is one more full bouting league in the country, plus a number of other leagues not yet at bouting strength.
As well, it's a massive disenfranchisement of those skaters. Less than 50% of the skaters in Wales are eligible to represent their nation. Less than 50% of active coaches are eligible to coach their nation.
This is the difficulty in having a multi-national organisation setting the rules for national team selection. The goals and priorities of the multi-national organisation may be different to those of the nation they claim to have set a team up for.
A majority English electorate have told the Welsh how they must assemble their team. This will not be a Team Wales, under these rules it will be Team UKRDA-in-Wales.
Note, too, that the same ratio occurs in Scotland. More than half of Scottish skaters will not be eligible for UKRDA's Team Scotland.
These facts strongly suggest that, while UKRDA may be a useful organisation for inter-league play, they are not optimal for national teams. Team England's rules are for the English alone, Team Scotland's for the Scots, and Team Wales for the Welsh.
Until a majority of the Welsh skaters have the opportunity to even ratify the rules of formation for a team competing in their name, no team can rightfully call itself Team Wales.
However, Scotland, Wales, and England do not. What they have instead is the UKRDA, which has declared coverage over the entire UK.
The difficulty comes in forming teams England, Scotland, and Wales. (The Irish question will be left for a future article.)
UKRDA have recently issued a press release explaining their procedures for forming UKRDA-endorsed men's and women's national teams. Here is where the inherent difficulty makes itself known.
On their website, UKRDA list 28 member leagues. Of these, 23 are in England, 3 in Scotland, 1 in Northern Ireland, and 1 in Wales. Thus, the rules listed above are voted on by a majority English electorate.
The rules for UK-based skaters call for only skaters and coaches who are members of UKRDA affiliated leagues. Let us consider only the case of UK-based skaters.
Team England has 23 leagues in its own border from which to choose skaters, plus English skaters from Wales, Scotland, and N. Ireland. No where is there a set definitition of Englishness for the purpose of selection, but let us assume there is one that the UKRDA has yet to release publicly.
Team Wales, on the other hand, has only 1 league's worth of eligible skaters, plus ex-pats. Already, this puts them at a massive disadvantage. There is one more full bouting league in the country, plus a number of other leagues not yet at bouting strength.
As well, it's a massive disenfranchisement of those skaters. Less than 50% of the skaters in Wales are eligible to represent their nation. Less than 50% of active coaches are eligible to coach their nation.
This is the difficulty in having a multi-national organisation setting the rules for national team selection. The goals and priorities of the multi-national organisation may be different to those of the nation they claim to have set a team up for.
A majority English electorate have told the Welsh how they must assemble their team. This will not be a Team Wales, under these rules it will be Team UKRDA-in-Wales.
Note, too, that the same ratio occurs in Scotland. More than half of Scottish skaters will not be eligible for UKRDA's Team Scotland.
These facts strongly suggest that, while UKRDA may be a useful organisation for inter-league play, they are not optimal for national teams. Team England's rules are for the English alone, Team Scotland's for the Scots, and Team Wales for the Welsh.
Until a majority of the Welsh skaters have the opportunity to even ratify the rules of formation for a team competing in their name, no team can rightfully call itself Team Wales.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
An exciting time for derby
What an exciting time. The sport is growing by leaps and bounds, we all knew that. But they just announced a Men's international tournament--nation against nation. How cool is that??
Let's cast our minds back to the derby world cup. Who hosted it? One league in Toronto. Who organised and sanctioned it? A magazine.
This is the beauty of derby--it's all self-run. The reason the world cup was official is because the skaters considered it official. That's all.
Same goes for each of the national teams. Why are they official? Because their skaters agree that they are represented by the team.
So, who's planning this Men's Cup of Nations (my suggestion, not the official name)? Well, the people who brought you MERDC. Their credentials? They've run a tournament before, and it was brilliant.
This is derby, folks. The most self-made sport in the world. It's a sport run by the faithful for the faithful, not run by top-down organisations for the benefit of their bottom lines.
What makes this tournament official is that we, the derby faithful, consider it official. Same for the teams.
This, too, is the beauty of derby. We're still laying the groundwork! The game is young, the international game even more so. This our chance to make an indelible mark for future derby.
To those forming the teams, put Derby 1st. Put all the skaters of your nation 2nd, and relegate petty politics to the last thing you consider.
This is your time. The time to shape the derby of your nation. You, who have been charged by a group of skaters with determining the future of England, Scotland, Wales, France, and others, this is a first. Like so many things in derby right now, it's a first.
So read what others have done, and ask for advice. But always remember that your first duty is to the game and your nation. Always do what will honour that duty above all else.
Good luck and Godspeed. I'm already booking my ticket to the tournament.
Let's cast our minds back to the derby world cup. Who hosted it? One league in Toronto. Who organised and sanctioned it? A magazine.
This is the beauty of derby--it's all self-run. The reason the world cup was official is because the skaters considered it official. That's all.
Same goes for each of the national teams. Why are they official? Because their skaters agree that they are represented by the team.
So, who's planning this Men's Cup of Nations (my suggestion, not the official name)? Well, the people who brought you MERDC. Their credentials? They've run a tournament before, and it was brilliant.
This is derby, folks. The most self-made sport in the world. It's a sport run by the faithful for the faithful, not run by top-down organisations for the benefit of their bottom lines.
What makes this tournament official is that we, the derby faithful, consider it official. Same for the teams.
This, too, is the beauty of derby. We're still laying the groundwork! The game is young, the international game even more so. This our chance to make an indelible mark for future derby.
To those forming the teams, put Derby 1st. Put all the skaters of your nation 2nd, and relegate petty politics to the last thing you consider.
This is your time. The time to shape the derby of your nation. You, who have been charged by a group of skaters with determining the future of England, Scotland, Wales, France, and others, this is a first. Like so many things in derby right now, it's a first.
So read what others have done, and ask for advice. But always remember that your first duty is to the game and your nation. Always do what will honour that duty above all else.
Good luck and Godspeed. I'm already booking my ticket to the tournament.
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