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Sports Arts & Culture Welcome to an interactive and thought provoking talk that uses the history of roller-derby to look at the role of women in sport society. The talk sheds light on the ongoing fight female athletes and female-oriented sports face from mainstream attention for the purposes of the male gaze. If you’re intrigued by counterculture, niche communities, or activism (perhaps all three!) then please join us. Expect a healthy balance of lighthearted trivia with political insights hosted by three lively and passionate roller-girls.
Detailed description:The talk is streamed live from the very Austin flat track that hosted the first series of games that encouraged the sport’s modern revival. While roller derby’s roots go back to the 1930’s, the sport has seen phenomenal growth in international popularity over the past two decades. All thanks to an all female led Y2K revival here in Austin, Texas. This revival was born from a resistance to male dominated enterprises at the time trying to re-popularise the sport by objectifying women battling against each other… purely for the sake of entertainment.
What started as a single league, now sees over two thousand contemporary roller derby leagues around the world. The International Olympic Committee are even currently considering the sport for inclusion in future Olympic Games!
The sport is now embraced across gender binaries, and prides itself on being inclusive no matter how you identify, and whatever your size, shape or ability. This experience is no different, encouraging guests from all identities to join, and whether you’re already a pro skater, an enthusiast or even completely oblivious to this world.
Your hosts are Hermione Danger, Big Rig and Queen Assassin. We’re all board members of Austin City No Limits; a roller derby collective here in Austin, Texas. Established in 2005, ACNL was set up five years after the initial roller derby league was founded, with a mission to unite derby players from teams across the city of Austin. Showing there are really no limits: as of 2020, the collective now has representatives in every US state, and has growing presence in countries globally.
Our online talks and workshops aim to spread the message of roller derby, reaching even more people around the world, and engage in a conversation that promotes change.
Whilst our focus is on equalising the gender bias in sports, we believe in social justice and the evolution of societal ‘norms’ whatever the subject or topic. We’d like to think that the example of roller derby has the power to transcend the sport specifically and perhaps even beyond the world of sport. We hope that you too can join us and be a part (however big or small) - of the Roller Revolution!
Enthusiasm to learn & discover.Perhaps some ideas for your own derby-name! Who can come Adults & Children Activity level Not much (think about a leisurely stroll in a park) Skill level BeginnerIf you would like to request for alternative dates not currently showing in availability, please contact the host directly via Private message
The talk includes an interactive exercise where guests create their own skate pseudonym (‘’derby name’’or "skater name”). These are traditionally picked to match a persona or identity; reflecting the empowerment roots of the modern game.
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