It’s the month of Halloween and as roller derby has always demonstrated, there is plenty of creativity and fun to be had in this sport whether a player or a spectator. This programme takes on a popular and classic scary movie pun – a movie so popular on its release in 1976, there was a remake in 2013. The infamous scene in which pigs blood is thrown over the titular Carrie is iconic and is illustrated in the blood spatters on the cover of this bout programme
Category: NMRD Object of the Month
Established in 2012, the National Museum of Roller Derby (NMRD) is the UK’s first permanent collection of ephemera and memorabilia relating to the sport of Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby. In 2016, to celebrate our new permanent home in Glasgow Women’s Library’s new Bridgeton HQ, we bring you an ‘Object of the Month’ from our ever expanding collections.
We want your old team shirts, flyers, zines and other paraphernalia to illustrate the remarkable development of the sport in the UK. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for future announcements on how to donate items to the Museum.
Photos taken by Rebel Rebel #15 (aka Catheine Hemelryk) with thanks to Joe Brown & Luke Harby
NMRD Programme of the month: September 2021
This is a programme dated from the 26th June 2010, for a double header between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Central Belter refers to Glasgow and Edinburgh which both lie on the central belt of Scotland and, of course, ‘belter’ is Scottish (and British) colloquialism for amazing, outstanding, and thrilling. This play on words is common throughout roller derby and their artwork, posters, and programmes.
NMRD Programme of the Month: August 2021
This programme showcases a bout between Auld Reekie Roller Derby’s Twisted Thistles and Glasgow Roller Derby’s Irn Bruisers from approximately a decade ago. The artwork illustrates the grassroots spirit of roller derby as most artwork for bout programmes is done by someone within the local roller derby community. The seductive nature of the two women present in the programme cover also help to show a typically archaic sentiment that was once attached to the sport. Sexy and tough was an aesthetic trope adopted by the roller derby girls but has since waned as the sport has become more professional and representatively inclusive.
NMRD Programme of the Month: July 2021
As we enter into the thick of summer, we here at GWL would like to encourage everyone to have a great and SAFE summer. Hopefully there is more good weather to come, and happiness, health, and progression for all.
Enjoy your summer!
NMRD Programme of the Month: June 2021
The use of puns, humour, and popular cultural references are ubiquitous in the world of roller derby. It is often used to highlight the brutal nature of the game and to twist social norms of females in sports.
NMRD Programme of the Month: May 2021
Pop culture references are woven throughout the entire fabric of this sporting culture including bout names, player names, and team names. One way of integrating pop culture and local culture references is through the use of puns. This particular bout from April 2011 pays tribute to David Bowie’s Space Oddity but also pays homage to the physical exercise taking place and the use of the quadricep muscles.
NMRD Programme of the Month: April 2021
Roller derby dismantles what it means to be ‘feminine’. It mixes adrenaline with ferocity and the provocative. It used to be that players would wear outfits similar to the one depicted in the artwork above. Shorts and skirts were paired with fishnet tights and tank tops. This is often illustrated in the graphics and artwork of roller derby bout programmes, posters, leaflets, and ephemeral materials such as postcards and stickers etc.
NMRD Programme of the Month: March 2021
In response to the increasing brutality of the sport, players wear helmets, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards to help minimise injury. However, players show off their track rash and bruises proudly and it has become such a huge part of the roller derby sporting culture, which is now predominantly female led.
NMRD Programme of the Month: February 2021
Roller derby is a grassroots sport which is built, developed, promoted, and fundraised by the players and supporters. This DIY attitude has fostered a very welcoming, inclusive, and diverse community. LGBT+ rights are supported and fought for within this sport and the LGBT+ community have found a home in roller derby, which supports their sexuality and genders.
NMRD Programme of the Month: January 2021
As January sees Rabbie Burns day celebrated across Scotland, this programme seems a perfect fit for January’s object of the month. This particular bout is named after the fishnet rash that players often get from the viciousness and friction in the game.