Spoiler alert--Gotham lost!!
Now others have said it better than myself, but we're not cheering against Gotham--we just want to see someone else win, too. Importantly, it's Rose City, a league that has been through a lot this year.
But I'm not here to write about the emotions.
I'm here to borrow an old NFL adage: "any given Sunday, any team can win".
Certain people in derby, and a few derby "bloggers", would have you convinced that is not the case, but let's look at an important fact: the top four teams form a perfect round-robin of wins.
London beat Rose back in August, 193-129
Rose beat Gotham last night, 206-195
Gotham beat Victoria, 143-141
Victoria beat London, 122-99
So the quarter-final round produced no upsets, so what? The semi-final round could have been drawn any way and produced amazing matchups.
Importantly, ESPN doesn't like showing sports where the outcome is just about guaranteed in advance. ESPN likes showing excitement, and derby needs to show itself as a thrilling event in order to continue to gain fans.
ESPN's coverage came on at the perfect point in this event. Two total toss-up games with four Hydra-level teams. A sports producer couldn't ask for anything better.
I keep hearing "oh, derby's not ready for this", or "derby's too new to" whatever.
5-year win streak ended. 4 top-level teams, any of whom could beat any other, in the WFTDA. In the MRDA, a 3-year streak ended in spectacular fashion.
Clearly, derby is ready for primetime. Why? Because any given Champs, any team can win!
Derby and Logic, by Stat Man
I'm Stat Man, and I am a roller derby announcer and commentator. This means that I watch a hell of a lot of derby. As my name implies, I like quantitative analysis, and this blog is to explore what happens when the lessons I learn from other sports are applied to derby.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Any Given Sunday
Friday, May 31, 2013
The Upset, Part III: Min-V
A league's B-team higher than A-team? What're (insert team here) doing so far down/up? That ranking makes no sense!
What the heck is that Min-V ranking doing?
Well, like both ranking written about last week, European Roller Derby Rankings and Derby Chart, the Min-V system doesn't consider A and B teams as related. One's ranking doesn't affect the other.
As well, the Min-V doesn't consider scores. It only considers who won and lost.
The system works like this:
If the Qarth Rollers defeat the Vaes Dothrak Rolling Horde, then QR should be ranked above VDRH in all future rankings. That is, QR should have more ranking points than VDRH. If that's not the case, the bout is a violation.
The computer takes a table of all the bouts and results, as well as a list of all teams, and uses an efficient trial-and-error method to compute the minimum number of violations possible, hence Min-V.
[Details and theoretical basis thanks to Dr. Coleman can be found in this pdf file.]
The computer then outputs a table with each team and its ranking points. This is only one possible solution; there are an infinite set of ranking point tables which produce the same number of violations. As well, there are several orderings of teams which will not change that number.
Due to this, the ranking can be optimized. Optimization is the process of adjusting the ranking points values for each team to more closely match what other ranking systems produce. For example, it doesn't matter mathematically if LRG[A] or Gent[B] are ranked #1. Since neither played the other, changing that order will not cause a violation.
LRG[A] will be optimized to #1, and Gent[B] lower in the table. However, Gent[B] cannot be moved below Paris without causing a violation. They, in turn, cannot go below Bear City, etc. The knock-on effects in a Min-V system can be massive, so optimization must be done carefully.
In this case, optimization was done attempting to match the Derby Chart ranking. It could be done to approach any ranking scheme using the same Min-V basis.
Min-V has been used effectively in the US College Football system for years, with great predictive and retrodictive results. As was shown last week, retrodictivity in other derby rankings is spotty at best. ERDR rankings say that 1 in 5 bouts were upsets, Derby Chart's say 1 in 4. The Min-V ranking table, as odd as it looks, only has 1 in 30 bouts as upsets.
It's the most retrodictively correct ranking by more than a factor of 6.
But is it the best ranking?
The answer to that question is a question itself: "How is best measured?"
And to set those two questions into perspective, consider this one: "Why care about rankings?"
As there's no trophy awarded on rankings, and no Champions League in European derby (yet???), the choice is yours. Min-V is presented here to show just how impossible it is to conclusively put all European leagues in a ranked order.
If they're properly used, rankings can be a helpful source of information. ERDR has an archive of past rankings, and Derby Chart has bout records for each team. But don't become too dependent on them. Even the most theoretically precise system is wrong 1 out of 30 times, and the most trusted are 1 in 4 or 1 in 5.
Keep rankings in perspective. They're to inform and educate, not to dictate.
What the heck is that Min-V ranking doing?
Well, like both ranking written about last week, European Roller Derby Rankings and Derby Chart, the Min-V system doesn't consider A and B teams as related. One's ranking doesn't affect the other.
As well, the Min-V doesn't consider scores. It only considers who won and lost.
The system works like this:
If the Qarth Rollers defeat the Vaes Dothrak Rolling Horde, then QR should be ranked above VDRH in all future rankings. That is, QR should have more ranking points than VDRH. If that's not the case, the bout is a violation.
The computer takes a table of all the bouts and results, as well as a list of all teams, and uses an efficient trial-and-error method to compute the minimum number of violations possible, hence Min-V.
[Details and theoretical basis thanks to Dr. Coleman can be found in this pdf file.]
The computer then outputs a table with each team and its ranking points. This is only one possible solution; there are an infinite set of ranking point tables which produce the same number of violations. As well, there are several orderings of teams which will not change that number.
Due to this, the ranking can be optimized. Optimization is the process of adjusting the ranking points values for each team to more closely match what other ranking systems produce. For example, it doesn't matter mathematically if LRG[A] or Gent[B] are ranked #1. Since neither played the other, changing that order will not cause a violation.
LRG[A] will be optimized to #1, and Gent[B] lower in the table. However, Gent[B] cannot be moved below Paris without causing a violation. They, in turn, cannot go below Bear City, etc. The knock-on effects in a Min-V system can be massive, so optimization must be done carefully.
In this case, optimization was done attempting to match the Derby Chart ranking. It could be done to approach any ranking scheme using the same Min-V basis.
Min-V has been used effectively in the US College Football system for years, with great predictive and retrodictive results. As was shown last week, retrodictivity in other derby rankings is spotty at best. ERDR rankings say that 1 in 5 bouts were upsets, Derby Chart's say 1 in 4. The Min-V ranking table, as odd as it looks, only has 1 in 30 bouts as upsets.
It's the most retrodictively correct ranking by more than a factor of 6.
But is it the best ranking?
The answer to that question is a question itself: "How is best measured?"
And to set those two questions into perspective, consider this one: "Why care about rankings?"
As there's no trophy awarded on rankings, and no Champions League in European derby (yet???), the choice is yours. Min-V is presented here to show just how impossible it is to conclusively put all European leagues in a ranked order.
If they're properly used, rankings can be a helpful source of information. ERDR has an archive of past rankings, and Derby Chart has bout records for each team. But don't become too dependent on them. Even the most theoretically precise system is wrong 1 out of 30 times, and the most trusted are 1 in 4 or 1 in 5.
Keep rankings in perspective. They're to inform and educate, not to dictate.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The Upset, Part II: All over the place
After discussing why we rank, it's time to say just how good each scheme is. For the purposes of this study, I've looked at the rankings as of 1 Jan 2013.
Retrodiction
or, how often did the team that won end up ranked lower?
This is the bit that causes the most confusion. "But we beat them, why aren't we higher?" Well, ranking algorithms generally aren't actually written to minimize this. They're written to be more concerned about other things, and hope this comes along for the ride. A scheme has been written, called Min-V, which is primarily concerned about minimizing retrodiction error. More on its algorithm later.
How do Derby Chart, the European Roller Derby Rankings, and Min-V stack up in this category, as well as predictive ability?
Retrodiction
or, how often did the team that won end up ranked lower?
This is the bit that causes the most confusion. "But we beat them, why aren't we higher?" Well, ranking algorithms generally aren't actually written to minimize this. They're written to be more concerned about other things, and hope this comes along for the ride. A scheme has been written, called Min-V, which is primarily concerned about minimizing retrodiction error. More on its algorithm later.
How do Derby Chart, the European Roller Derby Rankings, and Min-V stack up in this category, as well as predictive ability?
DC | ERDR | Min-V | bouts | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Past upsets | 70 | 55 | 9 | 272 |
Past upset % | 25.7% | 20.2% | 3.3% | 272 |
Predict upsets | 16 | 15 | 17 | 45 |
Predict upset % | 35.6% | 33.3% | 37.8% | 45 |
Turns out, both rankings do a poor job of retrodicting bouts. Only the Min-V system, with the sole purpose of minimizing retrodiction errors, has a low upset percentage. For prediction, all three give at best a 2-in-3 chance of being correct.
Conclusion
Don't trust the rankings too much, unless they're Min-V. And Min-V looks like this:
1 | London Rollergirls | 20.911 |
---|---|---|
2 | Gent GO-GO Roller Girls [B] | 20.713 |
3 | London Rollergirls [B] | 20.711 |
4 | Paris Roller Girls | 20.703 |
5 | Bear City Roller Derby | 20.697 |
6 | Rainy City Roller Girls | 20.672 |
7 | Stockholm Roller Derby | 20.668 |
8 | Hellfire Harlots | 20.612 |
9 | Middlesbrough Milk Rollers | 20.602 |
10 | Glasgow Roller Derby [B] | 20.6 |
11 | Brighton Rockers | 20.592 |
12 | Glasgow Roller Derby | 20.587 |
13 | London Rollergirls [C] | 20.58 |
14 | Helsinki Roller Derby | 20.572 |
15 | Gent GO-GO Roller Girls | 20.568 |
16 | Leeds Roller Dolls | 20.558 |
16 | Tiger Bay Brawlers | 20.558 |
18 | Auld Reekie Roller Girls | 20.548 |
18 | Crime City Rollers | 20.548 |
20 | Central City Rollergirls | 20.537 |
21 | Dublin Roller Girls | 20.502 |
21 | Hot Wheel Roller Derby | 20.502 |
23 | Newcastle Roller Girls [B] | 20.5 |
23 | Leeds Roller Dolls [B] | 20.5 |
23 | Manchester Roller Derby | 20.5 |
26 | Bear City Roller Derby [B] | 20.498 |
27 | Copenhagen Roller Derby | 20.432 |
28 | Kallio Rolling Rainbow | 20.427 |
29 | Sheffield Steel Roller Girls [B] | 20.4 |
30 | Royal Windsor Rollergirls | 20.232 |
31 | Southern Discomfort | 20.2 |
32 | Lincolnshire Rolling Thunder | 20.1 |
32 | Quad Guards | 20.1 |
32 | Ruhrpott Roller Girls | 20.1 |
35 | Tyne & Fear | 20 |
36 | Expendables | 19.9 |
37 | Roller Derby Bordeaux Club | 10.6 |
38 | Roller Girls of the Apocalypse | 10.5 |
38 | Herault Derby Girlz | 10.5 |
40 | Cork City Firebirds | 10.488 |
41 | Bristol Roller Derby | 10.442 |
42 | Birmingham Blitz Dames | 10.437 |
43 | London Rockin Rollers [B] | 10.421 |
44 | Stuttgart Valley Rollergirlz [B] | 10.402 |
45 | Paris Roller Girls [B] | 10.4 |
45 | Roller Derby Rennes | 10.4 |
47 | One Love Roller Dolls | 10.398 |
48 | Lutèce Destroyeuses - Paris | 10.3 |
49 | Brussels Derby Pixies | 10.2 |
49 | Roller Derby Metz Club | 10.2 |
51 | MRD: New Wheeled Order | 10.1 |
52 | Newcastle Roller Girls | 1 |
53 | Crime City Rollers [B] | 0.988 |
54 | Liverpool Roller Birds | 0.9 |
54 | Seaside Sirens Roller Girls | 0.9 |
56 | Sheffield Steel Roller Girls | 0.888 |
56 | London Rockin Rollers | 0.888 |
56 | Dolly Rockit Rollers | 0.888 |
59 | Stuttgart Valley Rollergirlz | 0.878 |
59 | Romsey Town Rollerbillies | 0.878 |
61 | Croydon Roller Derby | 0.8 |
61 | Rainy City Roller Girls [B] | 0.8 |
63 | Big Bucks High Rollers | 0.798 |
64 | Lincolnshire Bombers | 0.788 |
65 | Tiger Bay Brawlers [B] | 0.7 |
66 | Vienna Roller Girls | 0.6 |
67 | Rockcity Rollers | 0.5 |
67 | Milton Keynes Concrete Cows | 0.5 |
67 | Barockcity Rollerderby | 0.5 |
67 | Amsterdam Derby Dames | 0.5 |
71 | Bristol Roller Derby [B] | 0.4 |
71 | Rebellion Roller Derby | 0.4 |
71 | Dublin Roller Girls [B] | 0.4 |
71 | Harbor Girls | 0.4 |
71 | Portsmouth Roller Wenches | 0.4 |
71 | Liverpool Roller Birds [B] | 0.4 |
71 | Rotterdam Death Row Honeys | 0.4 |
78 | Munich Rolling Rebels | 0.3 |
78 | Blackland Rockin'K-Rollers | 0.3 |
78 | Bembel Town Roller Girls | 0.3 |
78 | Oxford Roller Derby | 0.3 |
78 | Royal Windsor Rollergirls [B] | 0.3 |
78 | Birmingham Blitz Dames [B] | 0.3 |
78 | Bad Bunny Rollers | 0.3 |
85 | Inhuman League | 0.2 |
85 | South West Angels of Terror | 0.2 |
85 | Manchester Roller Derby [B] | 0.2 |
85 | Bedfordshire Roller Girls | 0.2 |
85 | Mean Valley Roller Girls | 0.2 |
85 | Copenhagen Roller Derby [B] | 0.2 |
85 | Belfast Roller Derby | 0.2 |
85 | Hereford Roller Girls | 0.2 |
85 | Roller Derby Karlsruhe | 0.2 |
85 | Roller Derby Lyon | 0.2 |
85 | Dirty River Roller Grrrls | 0.2 |
85 | One Love Roller Dolls [B] | 0.2 |
85 | Gothenburg Roller Derby | 0.2 |
85 | Namur Roller Girls | 0.2 |
99 | Swansea City Roller Derby | 0.1 |
99 | Roller Derby Belfort | 0.1 |
99 | Crash Test Brummies | 0.1 |
99 | Evolution Rollergirls | 0.1 |
99 | Kent Roller Girls | 0.1 |
99 | Frankfurt Roller Derby | 0.1 |
99 | Dundee Roller Girls | 0.1 |
99 | Plymouth City Roller Girls | 0.1 |
99 | Dorset Roller Girls | 0.1 |
99 | Roller Derby Toulouse [B] | 0.1 |
99 | Norfolk Brawds | 0.1 |
99 | Helsinki Roller Derby [B] | 0.1 |
99 | Bruising Banditas | 0.1 |
99 | Kallio Rolling Rainbow [B] | 0.1 |
99 | Nantes Derby Girls | 0.1 |
99 | Roller Derby Metz Club [B] | 0.1 |
99 | Lincolnshire Bombers [B] | 0.1 |
99 | Dom City Dolls | 0.1 |
99 | Fierce Valley Roller Girls | 0.1 |
99 | Tampere Roller Derby | 0.1 |
99 | Central City Rollergirls [C] | 0.1 |
99 | Roller Derby Calaisis | 0.1 |
99 | Furness Firecrackers | 0.1 |
99 | Roller Derby Grenoble | 0.1 |
99 | Hell's Belles | 0.1 |
99 | Nidaros Roller Derby | 0.1 |
99 | Porto Roller Derby | 0.1 |
126 | Seaside Sirens Roller Girls [B] | 0 |
126 | Severn Roller Torrent | 0 |
126 | Shoetown Slayers | 0 |
126 | Barcelona Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Les Quads de Paris | 0 |
126 | Imposters Roller Girls | 0 |
126 | Roller Derby Arras | 0 |
126 | Hell's Ass Derbygirls | 0 |
126 | Fair City Rollers | 0 |
126 | Brighton Rockers [B] | 0 |
126 | Velvet Sluts | 0 |
126 | Wolverhampton Honour Rollers | 0 |
126 | Nottingham Roller Girls | 0 |
126 | Kernow Rollers | 0 |
126 | Wirral Whipiteres | 0 |
126 | Wakey Wheeled Cats | 0 |
126 | Wiltshire Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Vendetta Vixens | 0 |
126 | Roller Derby Angoulême | 0 |
126 | Eastside RocknRollers | 0 |
126 | Tenerife Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Aarhus Derby Dames | 0 |
126 | Dolly Rockit Rollers [B] | 0 |
126 | Cardiff Roller Collective | 0 |
126 | Cornwall Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Cherry Blood | 0 |
126 | Marseille Roller Derby Club | 0 |
126 | Spiders Black Widows | 0 |
126 | Oslo Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Central City Rollergirls [B] | 0 |
126 | Roller Girls of the Apocalypse [B] | 0 |
126 | Amsterdam Derby Dames [B] | 0 |
126 | Auld Reekie Roller Girls [B] | 0 |
126 | Jakey Bites | 0 |
126 | Lahti Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Royal Swedish Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Luleå Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Preston Roller Girls | 0 |
126 | Graveyard Queens Cologne | 0 |
126 | Lahti Roller Derby [B] | 0 |
126 | Roller Derby Lorient | 0 |
126 | Roller Derby Lille | 0 |
126 | Porvoo | 0 |
126 | Dresden Pioneers | 0 |
126 | Bairn City Rollers | 0 |
126 | Voodoo Vixens Besançon | 0 |
126 | Prague City Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Plymouth City Roller Girls [B] | 0 |
126 | Grin n Barum | 0 |
126 | Kouvola Rock n Rollers | 0 |
126 | Southern Discomfort [B] | 0 |
126 | The Switchblade RollerGrrrls | 0 |
126 | Tester | 0 |
126 | Stockholm Roller Derby [B] | 0 |
126 | Dock City Rollers | 0 |
126 | Nantes Derby Girls [B] | 0 |
126 | Valencia Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | South Wales Silures | 0 |
126 | Panam Squad | 0 |
126 | Red Lion Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Nought | 0 |
126 | Zurich City Rollergirls | 0 |
126 | Montpellier Derby Club | 0 |
126 | Limerick Roller Derby | 0 |
126 | Hulls Angels Roller Dames | 0 |
126 | Middlesbrough Milk Rollers [B] | 0 |
126 | B.M.O Roller Derby Girls | 0 |
126 | Roller Derby Toulouse | 0 |
126 | Big Bucks High Rollers [B] | 0 |
126 | Tyne & Fear [B] | 0 |
126 | Surrey Roller Girls | 0 |
126 | Kamiquadz | 0 |
126 | Milton Keynes Quads of War | 0 |
126 | Roller Derby Avingon | 0 |
126 | Bourne Bombshells | 0 |
126 | Kent Roller Girls [B] | 0 |
126 | Granite City Roller Girls | 0 |
Saturday, May 4, 2013
The Upset, Part I: Why do we Rank?
In derby, as in most other sports, there are multiple ranking schemes. US College Football, or NCAA Football as it's commonly known, has 3 official rankings and nearly 150 unofficial ones. European derby, with its 4, is tame by comparison.
Why so many? One word: upsets.
Upsets, in the American usage, are games in which the expected winner loses to the expected loser. They're games where the "underdog" wins, and to many sports fans one of the joys of watching sports.
We would expect Arsenal to win, but every so often Bradford City walk away with the victory. It's a major source of excitement in any sport!
But what does that have to do with rankings? Well, they mean that any ranking system cannot be perfect. There will always be upsets, thus there will always be errors in the ranking. Thus, ranking schemes need to be designed with priorities in mind.
That is, a ranking scheme needs a purpose, a question to answer. There are three such questions:
- Who did the best? Who deserves the crown for best performance over the previous x time?
- Who will do the best? Who will be expected to win in the coming games?
- Who is good competition? Who will most likely give an exciting bout to a given team with minimal risk of a blow-out?
1. A ranking for the purpose of awarding a crown has some of the more rigid rules. If the crown is for best performance in a premier league season, for example, that ranking can only consider that season. All teams start the season on 0 points, and the ranking shifts from there.
A good ranking for this purpose is highly retrodictive. A retrodictive ranking is one that, over the course of the past period, has a minimum number of upsets.
In the European rankings, DerbyChart is entirely retrodictive with a limit of 12 months. EuroDerby is entirely retrodictive within its divisions for a 12 month limit, with divisional placement based on the previous year's retrodictive ranking. Thus, both seem designed to produce "the best performance for derby year xxxx."
2. A ranking for the purpose of prediction is much more free in its structure. As the goal is only to forecast the future, rather than award for a given period, a predictive ranking can use scores from any previous period.
In fact, a predictive ranking can use any factor, as long as the predictions do well. Some baseball predictive rankings take transfers, market size, stadium size, team value, and all number of things into account. If a scheme's predictions do well, then it's a good ranking. Simple enough.
In the European rankings, the European Roller Derby Rankings and Flat Track Stats are predictive in nature. Both consider all bouts since a team's debut, and the latter is explicitly designed with an algorithm based on prediction.
3. A ranking for the purpose of finding similarly-competitive teams is as free a structure as a predictive ranking, and often uses similar math.
In fact, the only difference between 2 and 3 is how the teams reading the rankings use them. As an impartial observer reading algorithms, it is often to determine whether a ranking is designed for predictivity or competitivity.
In the European rankings, the European Roller Derby Rankings' stated purpose is to allow teams to find opponents of similar skill. EuroDerby can be easily used for this purpose as well, with it's divisional system.
Back to upsets. Were it not for upsets, the three rankings would be identical. If there were no improvement, all expectations of victory or defeat would be met. This would be boring.
Instead, rankings have to deal with upsets. An upset for a retrodictive ranking system is not always a problem; however, a retrodictive system should seek to minimize past upsets. For a competitiveness ranking, it may not be a problem as well; if the ranking predicted a close bout and it was, the ranking has done its job even if the winner was not correct.
A predictive system has the biggest problem with upsets, as they indicate that the original ranking was wrong. Thus, a predictive system must react to upsets with some sort of correction to the ordering of teams.
So, how good are the various systems at being predictive and retrodictive? How accurate are they? Stay tuned for a detailed analysis of their performance, followed by a possible way of minimizing the number of upsets and maximizing the "correctness" of the ranking scheme.
Monday, April 8, 2013
BRSF and UKRDA
Another political theory post!
Honestly, I'm groaning to myself.
Anyhow, the BRSF have apparently disappeared. Attempts to call them are re-directed, and their online presence is less than that of Alta-Vista. What does this mean for UKRDA?
Well, BRSF recognised UKRDA on behalf of those they represent, just as UKRDA recognise leagues on behalf of BRSF. If the chain is followed, it leads to the British Olympic Ass'n and UK Sport, Sport England, and Sport Scotland. (If I recall correctly, UKRDA are not yet recognised by Sport Wales)
Thus, UKRDA are recognised by the rest of the chain, as well. It's not unreasonable to presume that they've cultivated a relationship with Sport England, and that relationship ought to continue.
As well, UK Sport will ensure that there is a roller sports governing body, as I'm sure they don't want to be left out. It wouldn't hurt for UKRDA to approach UK Sport directly, and cut out the middleman at this point. There's no reason that derby has to come under the general roller sports umbrella.
Besides recognition, for what it's worth, no other benefit of UKRDA membership ought to be affected. After all, the UKRDA seem to be well funded from membership dues and not requiring of outside funding.
Speaking of the UKRDA in general, an important moment was reached last week. To paraphrase, the UKRDA said that they could not form the best possible Team England (etc.) from within member leagues alone, and thus are willing to assist as impartial assistants with the formation process. However, such a team would not be UKRDA-sancioned officially.
This is an important step in the internal politics of international roller derby. This, in simpler terms, is the statement "just skate, we'll help you hash out the details when you need them."
This is a national association doing what, in my opinion, it ought to do--support first--and the UKRDA deserve to be commended for their action.
That said, I hope in the future that the UKRDA are able to fully implement a national team programme. Of course, due to my own personal beliefs, I think this should be on the basis of England, Scotland, Wales, and N. Ireland, only joining forces when specific events require Britain's Derby Megazord.
In order to do so they need a mandate from the eligible skaters, and their recent post reflects an understanding of this point. A full mandate, though, requires lowering the barriers to entry.
Right now, the barriers to entry are a bit high. Some leagues will struggle to raise the £100. For other leagues, the issue will be the two recommendations, which sometimes fall victim to petty derby drama between leagues. These barriers seem to me like the rules may have been set before their purpose was fully decided, rather than the other way around.
I would like to call on the UKRDA to first investigate their mission. If, indeed, it is to represent British Derby to the government and the world, then the barriers should be low enough that all active leagues can easily join.
Perhaps:
The UKRDA are currently caught in a spot of turmoil, but this is actually an opportunity. It's an opportunity for them to represent themselves to the entire UK sporting community as the spokes-organisation for and supporter of all of UK roller derby, a position they have already adopted with regard to the men's national teams.
I fervently believe that this is the chance the UKRDA have been waiting for, the chance to step up and make derby better, easier, and more inclusive for the whole of the UK.
Their press release stated that their support of independent team development was the most fair option for the upcoming Men's World Cup. I trust by the time the next international tournament of any kind rolls around, their system will be the most fair and most competitive for all eligible skaters.
Honestly, I'm groaning to myself.
Anyhow, the BRSF have apparently disappeared. Attempts to call them are re-directed, and their online presence is less than that of Alta-Vista. What does this mean for UKRDA?
Well, BRSF recognised UKRDA on behalf of those they represent, just as UKRDA recognise leagues on behalf of BRSF. If the chain is followed, it leads to the British Olympic Ass'n and UK Sport, Sport England, and Sport Scotland. (If I recall correctly, UKRDA are not yet recognised by Sport Wales)
Thus, UKRDA are recognised by the rest of the chain, as well. It's not unreasonable to presume that they've cultivated a relationship with Sport England, and that relationship ought to continue.
As well, UK Sport will ensure that there is a roller sports governing body, as I'm sure they don't want to be left out. It wouldn't hurt for UKRDA to approach UK Sport directly, and cut out the middleman at this point. There's no reason that derby has to come under the general roller sports umbrella.
Besides recognition, for what it's worth, no other benefit of UKRDA membership ought to be affected. After all, the UKRDA seem to be well funded from membership dues and not requiring of outside funding.
Speaking of the UKRDA in general, an important moment was reached last week. To paraphrase, the UKRDA said that they could not form the best possible Team England (etc.) from within member leagues alone, and thus are willing to assist as impartial assistants with the formation process. However, such a team would not be UKRDA-sancioned officially.
This is an important step in the internal politics of international roller derby. This, in simpler terms, is the statement "just skate, we'll help you hash out the details when you need them."
This is a national association doing what, in my opinion, it ought to do--support first--and the UKRDA deserve to be commended for their action.
That said, I hope in the future that the UKRDA are able to fully implement a national team programme. Of course, due to my own personal beliefs, I think this should be on the basis of England, Scotland, Wales, and N. Ireland, only joining forces when specific events require Britain's Derby Megazord.
In order to do so they need a mandate from the eligible skaters, and their recent post reflects an understanding of this point. A full mandate, though, requires lowering the barriers to entry.
Right now, the barriers to entry are a bit high. Some leagues will struggle to raise the £100. For other leagues, the issue will be the two recommendations, which sometimes fall victim to petty derby drama between leagues. These barriers seem to me like the rules may have been set before their purpose was fully decided, rather than the other way around.
I would like to call on the UKRDA to first investigate their mission. If, indeed, it is to represent British Derby to the government and the world, then the barriers should be low enough that all active leagues can easily join.
Perhaps:
- Sliding-scale entry fee? Leagues that bout pay more than leagues just starting, perhaps.
- Vetos rather than recommendations? Leagues wishing to enter may do so unless a certain number of member leagues deny said membership. Leagues using their veto must present a valid reason why to the membership board, who can override the veto in case of mis-use.
- Small membership fee combined with a fee per sanctioned bout? This raises funds very quickly, and is much more easily affordable to newer leagues.
The UKRDA are currently caught in a spot of turmoil, but this is actually an opportunity. It's an opportunity for them to represent themselves to the entire UK sporting community as the spokes-organisation for and supporter of all of UK roller derby, a position they have already adopted with regard to the men's national teams.
I fervently believe that this is the chance the UKRDA have been waiting for, the chance to step up and make derby better, easier, and more inclusive for the whole of the UK.
Their press release stated that their support of independent team development was the most fair option for the upcoming Men's World Cup. I trust by the time the next international tournament of any kind rolls around, their system will be the most fair and most competitive for all eligible skaters.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Derby Census UK 2013 results!
Ladies and gentlemen, time to announce the results of the 2013 roller derby census!
Data numbers will be indicated by italics, but will be put into complete sentences for clarity.
Leagues
Overall, there are 90 leagues in the UK. By region within England, there are 18 in the south, 5 in the east, 16 in the midlands, 18 in the north. Wales has 11, Scotland 21, and Northern Ireland 1.
Of these leagues, 40 have yet to contest a bout. 20 are just starting, 20 with a few through min skills/some mixed scrimmage experience.
Bouts
Fully 50 leagues have bouted at least once in the last 12 months, and 26 contested more than 5. The average bouting league contested 6.85 bouts in 2012.
A total of 322 team-bouts were contested, meaning if both teams in a bout were in the UK, that bout is counted as 2. A total of 128 bouts and tournaments were hosted in 2012.
The average audience size was 217, with the highest attendance estimated at 1000 for a single bout!!
Skaters
There are 1920 skaters through min skills, and 1557 fresh meat! That means that the UK is almost 45% fresh meat.
The average league, thus, has just under 22 skaters through min skills, and just over 17 on their way.
Teams
Women's A-teams are a part of 64 leagues, B-teams 23, and C-teams 3. Men's A-teams are part of 14 and B-teams part of 1 in 2012. Co-ed teams are a part of 4 leagues.
Non-Competitors
There are 313 referees and 534 NSOs and non-skating team staffs.
Growth over time
Data numbers will be indicated by italics, but will be put into complete sentences for clarity.
Leagues
Overall, there are 90 leagues in the UK. By region within England, there are 18 in the south, 5 in the east, 16 in the midlands, 18 in the north. Wales has 11, Scotland 21, and Northern Ireland 1.
Of these leagues, 40 have yet to contest a bout. 20 are just starting, 20 with a few through min skills/some mixed scrimmage experience.
Bouts
Fully 50 leagues have bouted at least once in the last 12 months, and 26 contested more than 5. The average bouting league contested 6.85 bouts in 2012.
A total of 322 team-bouts were contested, meaning if both teams in a bout were in the UK, that bout is counted as 2. A total of 128 bouts and tournaments were hosted in 2012.
The average audience size was 217, with the highest attendance estimated at 1000 for a single bout!!
Skaters
There are 1920 skaters through min skills, and 1557 fresh meat! That means that the UK is almost 45% fresh meat.
The average league, thus, has just under 22 skaters through min skills, and just over 17 on their way.
Teams
Women's A-teams are a part of 64 leagues, B-teams 23, and C-teams 3. Men's A-teams are part of 14 and B-teams part of 1 in 2012. Co-ed teams are a part of 4 leagues.
Non-Competitors
There are 313 referees and 534 NSOs and non-skating team staffs.
Growth over time
Exponential growth, to me! Well done getting the word out!
Conclusions
Non-mathematically, UK derby is blowin' up! Over 3,000 skaters, nearly 100 leagues, well done you all! Be proud of yourselves!
Roll Britannia!
The Fine Print
This data was collected by Stat Man with the kind assistance of Izzy Dauntless for the use of everybody. Please feel free to use this information to help with venue negotiations, league advertising, etc. If quoting numbers, we ask for an "According to the 2013 Derby Census" acknowledgement at least; if you would like to include names, we would be chuffed! We hope this information helps the growth of your league or organisation specifically, and derby in general. If you have any suggestions for next year's census, please post in the comments section!
Monday, February 25, 2013
For those who have yet to make the move
The whole derby chart can now be found at www.derbychart.com on a regular computer, or m.derbychart.com from a mobile browser.
Check it out sometime, it'll give team details, break down why a ranking is the way it is, and give you scores from past bouts and predictions for upcoming ones.
Well, this week it happened. Tiger Bay overcame 2-1 odds against to beat LRG[B] in Cardiff, and move into the #8 spot. In Roll'd Firm action, Auld Reekie beat Glasgow, which put them back in the top 10.
Here is the table for all of Europe!
Check it out sometime, it'll give team details, break down why a ranking is the way it is, and give you scores from past bouts and predictions for upcoming ones.
Well, this week it happened. Tiger Bay overcame 2-1 odds against to beat LRG[B] in Cardiff, and move into the #8 spot. In Roll'd Firm action, Auld Reekie beat Glasgow, which put them back in the top 10.
Here is the table for all of Europe!
Team | Wins | Losses | Rank Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | London Rollergirls | 5 | 0 | 272.5 | |
2 | Stockholm Roller Derby | 7 | 3 | 145.7 | |
+2 | 3 | Central City Rollergirls | 3 | 3 | 130.7 |
4 | Bear City Roller Derby | 5 | 3 | 121.0 | |
-2 | 5 | London Rollergirls [B] | 6 | 1 | 113.8 |
6 | Glasgow Roller Derby | 10 | 5 | 104.0 | |
7 | Rainy City Roller Girls | 6 | 1 | 94.4 | |
+2 | 8 | Tiger Bay Brawlers | 7 | 3 | 85.4 |
+6 | 9 | Auld Reekie Roller Girls | 6 | 7 | 80.6 |
-2 | 10 | Crime City Rollers | 3 | 8 | 79.7 |
+1 | 11 | Leeds Roller Dolls | 6 | 6 | 76.8 |
-3 | 12 | Gent GO-GO Roller Girls | 6 | 4 | 74.9 |
-2 | 13 | London Rockin Rollers | 4 | 3 | 72.1 |
-1 | 14 | Brighton Rockers | 5 | 1 | 66.5 |
-1 | 15 | Paris Roller Girls | 3 | 5 | 62.2 |
16 | Gent GO-GO Roller Girls [B] | 2 | 0 | 55.9 | |
+1 | 17 | Helsinki Roller Derby | 11 | 5 | 47.5 |
-1 | 18 | Stuttgart Valley Rollergirlz | 0 | 5 | 47.3 |
+4 | 19 | Copenhagen Roller Derby | 3 | 3 | 39.5 |
20 | Royal Windsor Rollergirls | 6 | 1 | 38.8 | |
-2 | 21 | Hellfire Harlots | 5 | 3 | 37.3 |
-1 | 22 | Bear City Roller Derby [B] | 0 | 3 | 33.6 |
-1 | 23 | Kallio Rolling Rainbow | 3 | 2 | 33.0 |
24 | Lincolnshire Bombers | 3 | 6 | 28.3 | |
+3 | 25 | Sheffield Steel Roller Girls | 3 | 4 | 27.7 |
-1 | 26 | Hot Wheel Roller Derby | 8 | 4 | 24.3 |
27 | Middlesbrough Milk Rollers | 6 | 2 | 24.1 | |
-2 | 28 | Big Bucks High Rollers | 3 | 5 | 22.8 |
+1 | 29 | One Love Roller Dolls | 7 | 5 | 20.6 |
-1 | 30 | Birmingham Blitz Dames | 4 | 4 | 20.4 |
31 | Romsey Town Rollerbillies | 4 | 7 | 20.2 | |
+2 | 32 | Dolly Rockit Rollers | 2 | 8 | 20.0 |
+9 | 33 | London Rockin Rollers [B] | 0 | 2 | 18.8 |
+2 | 34 | Crime City Rollers [B] | 7 | 3 | 18.3 |
35 | Cork City Firebirds | 2 | 3 | 17.6 | |
-3 | 36 | Stuttgart Valley Rollergirlz [B] | 3 | 1 | 16.8 |
-5 | 37 | Ruhrpott Roller Girls | 4 | 2 | 16.6 |
-1 | 38 | Dublin Roller Girls | 6 | 3 | 16.6 |
-1 | 39 | Bristol Roller Derby | 8 | 3 | 14.8 |
-1 | 40 | Dirty River Roller Grrrls | 2 | 1 | 14.7 |
-1 | 41 | Roller Girls of the Apocalypse | 5 | 2 | 12.7 |
+3 | 42 | Leeds Roller Dolls [B] | 2 | 4 | 11.8 |
+1 | 43 | Newcastle Roller Girls | 4 | 4 | 11.7 |
-3 | 44 | Kent Rollergirls | 3 | 2 | 11.4 |
+2 | 45 | Rockcity Rollers | 1 | 2 | 10.5 |
+6 | 46 | Barcelona Roller Derby | 0 | 3 | 9.8 |
+1 | 47 | Croydon Roller Derby | 4 | 4 | 9.5 |
+2 | 48 | Glasgow Roller Derby [B] | 6 | 2 | 9.1 |
-6 | 49 | Southern Discomfort | 9 | 0 | 8.6 |
+3 | 50 | Manchester Roller Derby | 7 | 3 | 8.4 |
+3 | 51 | Plymouth City Roller Girls | 4 | 3 | 8.3 |
-6 | 52 | Quad Guards | 8 | 2 | 7.8 |
-2 | 53 | Graveyard Queens Cologne | 2 | 1 | 7.3 |
+1 | 54 | Roller Derby Metz Club | 4 | 5 | 7.2 |
-6 | 55 | Lincolnshire Rolling Thunder | 3 | 1 | 7.0 |
+4 | 56 | Central City Rollergirls [B] | 2 | 4 | 6.8 |
+1 | 57 | Auld Reekie Roller Girls [B] | 2 | 2 | 6.6 |
-2 | 58 | Paris Roller Girls [B] | 4 | 3 | 6.5 |
-2 | 59 | Amsterdam Derby Dames | 4 | 5 | 6.2 |
+1 | 60 | Brussels Derby Pixies | 2 | 2 | 5.9 |
+9 | 61 | Liverpool Roller Birds | 1 | 7 | 5.9 |
+1 | 62 | Seaside Sirens Roller Girls | 4 | 3 | 5.8 |
+4 | 63 | Granite City Roller Girls | 1 | 4 | 5.7 |
+5 | 64 | Rainy City Roller Girls [B] | 4 | 3 | 5.6 |
+6 | 65 | Dundee Roller Girls | 4 | 2 | 5.5 |
-1 | 66 | Imposters Roller Girls | 2 | 3 | 5.4 |
-8 | 67 | Tyne & Fear | 5 | 4 | 5.3 |
68 | Namur Roller Girls | 1 | 3 | 5.2 | |
-3 | 69 | Inhuman League | 6 | 9 | 4.6 |
-8 | 70 | MRD: New Wheeled Order | 5 | 7 | 4.5 |
+3 | 71 | Lincolnshire Bombers [B] | 1 | 4 | 4.5 |
-8 | 72 | Expendables | 4 | 4 | 4.4 |
-1 | 73 | Harbor Girls | 3 | 4 | 4.3 |
+3 | 74 | Lahti Roller Derby | 0 | 4 | 4.1 |
75 | Gothenburg Roller Derby | 2 | 5 | 4.0 | |
-3 | 76 | Vienna Roller Girls | 4 | 1 | 3.9 |
+5 | 77 | Helsinki Roller Derby [B] | 5 | 1 | 3.9 |
-2 | 78 | Eastside RocknRollers | 1 | 1 | 3.8 |
+1 | 79 | Luleå Roller Derby | 1 | 1 | 3.7 |
-2 | 80 | South West Angels of Terror | 5 | 0 | 3.7 |
+2 | 81 | Blackland Rockin'K-Rollers | 2 | 3 | 3.2 |
-1 | 82 | Severn Roller Torrent | 1 | 6 | 3.0 |
-4 | 83 | Barockcity Rollerderby | 3 | 2 | 3.0 |
+1 | 84 | Lutèce Destroyeuses - Paris | 2 | 3 | 2.7 |
+2 | 85 | Sheffield Steel Roller Girls [B] | 4 | 4 | 2.6 |
+4 | 86 | Cardiff Roller Collective | 5 | 0 | 2.6 |
+1 | 87 | Milton Keynes Concrete Cows | 4 | 2 | 2.5 |
+3 | 88 | Oslo Roller Derby | 0 | 4 | 2.4 |
-5 | 89 | Crash Test Brummies | 1 | 8 | 2.3 |
-1 | 90 | Newcastle Roller Girls [B] | 9 | 1 | 2.2 |
-5 | 91 | Roller Derby Rennes | 1 | 1 | 2.1 |
92 | Portsmouth Roller Wenches | 3 | 1 | 2.1 | |
93 | Dolly Rockit Rollers [B] | 3 | 2 | 2.0 | |
+1 | 94 | Belfast Roller Derby | 3 | 3 | 2.0 |
+9 | 95 | Tenerife Roller Derby | 2 | 0 | 2.0 |
+1 | 96 | Dorset Roller Girls | 2 | 2 | 1.9 |
-3 | 97 | Munich Rolling Rebels | 1 | 3 | 1.8 |
+17 | 98 | B.M.O Roller Derby Girls | 2 | 4 | 1.8 |
+1 | 99 | Stockholm Roller Derby [B] | 1 | 4 | 1.8 |
-2 | 100 | Aarhus Derby Dames | 1 | 2 | 1.7 |
-5 | 101 | Rotterdam Death Row Honeys | 1 | 3 | 1.7 |
+6 | 102 | Tiger Bay Brawlers [B] | 3 | 1 | 1.6 |
-4 | 103 | Nantes Derby Girls | 4 | 5 | 1.6 |
-2 | 104 | Nidaros Roller Derby | 4 | 1 | 1.5 |
+1 | 105 | Norfolk Brawds | 3 | 2 | 1.4 |
-1 | 106 | Roller Derby Bordeaux Club | 4 | 1 | 1.4 |
-4 | 107 | Herault Derby Girlz | 5 | 1 | 1.3 |
+2 | 108 | Central City Rollergirls [C] | 3 | 0 | 1.3 |
-8 | 109 | Zurich City Rollergirls | 0 | 2 | 1.3 |
+1 | 110 | Kallio Rolling Rainbow [B] | 2 | 1 | 1.3 |
+6 | 111 | Swansea City Roller Derby | 3 | 5 | 1.1 |
+4 | 112 | Wiltshire Roller Derby | 1 | 5 | 1.1 |
+5 | 113 | Bristol Roller Derby [B] | 3 | 0 | 1.1 |
-5 | 114 | Copenhagen Roller Derby [B] | 2 | 3 | 1.1 |
-1 | 115 | Liverpool Roller Birds [B] | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
-4 | 116 | Hulls Angels Roller Dames | 0 | 6 | 1.0 |
-10 | 117 | Jakey Bites | 0 | 5 | 1.0 |
-5 | 118 | Hell's Ass Derbygirls | 2 | 4 | 1.0 |
+5 | 119 | Furness Firecrackers | 1 | 4 | 0.9 |
+2 | 120 | Rebellion Roller Derby | 3 | 4 | 0.9 |
+2 | 121 | Wolverhampton Honour Rollers | 1 | 2 | 0.8 |
+3 | 122 | Tampere Roller Derby | 1 | 2 | 0.8 |
-2 | 123 | Kernow Rollers | 1 | 3 | 0.8 |
-5 | 124 | Middlesbrough Milk Rollers [B] | 0 | 2 | 0.8 |
+1 | 125 | Dublin Roller Girls [B] | 3 | 2 | 0.7 |
+3 | 126 | Dom City Dolls | 1 | 2 | 0.7 |
+1 | 127 | Oxford Roller Derby | 4 | 5 | 0.6 |
-8 | 128 | Nottingham Roller Girls | 1 | 2 | 0.6 |
-2 | 129 | Bruising Banditas | 2 | 2 | 0.6 |
130 | Hell's Belles | 1 | 5 | 0.5 | |
+1 | 131 | Mean Valley Roller Girls | 4 | 2 | 0.5 |
-1 | 132 | Fair City Rollers | 0 | 4 | 0.5 |
133 | Wakey Wheeled Cats | 1 | 2 | 0.5 | |
134 | Montpellier Derby Club | 2 | 3 | 0.5 | |
135 | Bedfordshire Roller Girls | 2 | 4 | 0.4 | |
+1 | 136 | Vendetta Vixens | 0 | 5 | 0.3 |
+3 | 137 | Shoetown Slayers | 0 | 3 | 0.3 |
138 | Limerick Roller Derby | 1 | 2 | 0.3 | |
+2 | 139 | Birmingham Blitz Dames [B] | 1 | 2 | 0.3 |
-1 | 140 | Red Lion Roller Derby | 0 | 2 | 0.3 |
+1 | 141 | Manchester Roller Derby [B] | 2 | 3 | 0.2 |
+1 | 142 | Preston Roller Girls | 1 | 2 | 0.2 |
-7 | 143 | Fierce Valley Roller Girls | 2 | 1 | 0.2 |
144 | Roller Derby Karlsruhe | 1 | 2 | 0.2 | |
145 | Voodoo Vixens Besançon | 0 | 2 | 0.2 | |
+1 | 146 | One Love Roller Dolls [B] | 1 | 1 | 0.2 |
-1 | 147 | Velvet Sluts | 1 | 4 | 0.1 |
--> | 148 | Hereford Roller Girls | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
149 | Evolution Rollergirls | 1 | 3 | 0.1 | |
-2 | 150 | Porto Roller Derby | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
151 | Roller Girls of the Apocalypse [B] | 0 | 2 | 0.1 | |
-2 | 152 | Frankfurt Roller Derby | 1 | 2 | 0.1 |
-1 | 153 | Roller Derby Toulouse [B] | 2 | 1 | 0.1 |
-1 | 154 | Wirral Whipiteres | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
-1 | 155 | Roller Derby Lyon | 5 | 0 | 0.0 |
-1 | 156 | Roller Derby Metz Club [B] | 2 | 0 | 0.0 |
-1 | 157 | Marseille Roller Derby Club | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
-1 | 158 | Roller Derby Grenoble | 2 | 2 | 0.0 |
-1 | 159 | Les Quads de Paris | 1 | 1 | 0.0 |
-1 | 160 | Cherry Blood | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |
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