Each year, Bath RD runs a course aimed at bringing new members into our league. We teach you everything you need to know about roller derby – including all the relevant skating skills – so you can start skating or reffing with Bath.
Our next course is planned for September 2025 - check back nearer the time for more information.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date, or fill in the form below to be notified about course dates and tickets.
HOW DOES THE COURSE RUN?
Our course starts with a two week 'learn to skate' period, in which we'll show you the very basics of roller skating, kit maintenance, safety etc. Lots of league members will be available to hold your hands, and we expect you to spend plenty of time on the floor, so don't worry about being able to glide around perfectly at this point.
Next, we'll start teaching you the specific skills you'll need to play roller derby, as an individual and as a team. Skating in a pack, walling up, pace-lines, laterals, whips... It will all make sense very soon! Finally, you'll move on to "Scrimmage 101" (or Reffing 101 if you've decided you'd rather officiate). During this period we'll move you on to gameplay-based drills and get you ready for your graduation to the main league.
WHO CAN SIGN UP?
Due to our insurance requirements, you need to be at least 18 years old to take part in the course – and there's no upper age limit.
We welcome all participants on our Learn to Skate course, regardless of their gender identity. Following graduation, to join Bath as a competing skater, you must identify as a Marginalised Gender, as per the WFTDA Gender Policy. This includes, but is not limited to:
Women (the WFTDA uses women to refer to all women, including trans, cis, intersex, and gender-expansive women).
Individuals with gender identities belonging to the trans umbrella (i.e. those whose gender does not align with the gender they were assigned at birth). This includes, but is not limited to:
trans men,
transfeminine and transmasculine individuals,
those who are genderqueer, agender, genderfluid, and/or non-binary regardless of their presentation or the gender they have been assigned at birth.
Individuals with culturally specific genders such as Two-Spirit.
Intersex individuals, who perceive themselves as belonging to a Marginalised Gender.
Any combination of the above (or other) Marginalised Genders.
Please note: this list is not exhaustive.
Individuals of all genders are welcome to join us as an official or volunteer. If you are joining in this capacity, you will be invited to join our 'Ref 101' course, which runs in parallel to the 'Scrim 101' portion of Learn Roller Derby.
COURSE TIMING
All sessions are held at: Wellsway Sports Centre, Keynsham BS31 1HH, in the main sports hall from 7pm – 10pm.
The last hour and a half (8.30pm-10pm) is spent off skates, watching our main league scrim, helping to officiate, timing skater penalties, learning the rules in action, chilling out with your new friends, meeting the league, and generally absorbing the derby vibes. We’re aware that people also have lives outside of roller derby (what?) so attendance for the off skates section isn’t compulsory, but it’s highly encouraged and will hugely help your understanding of our fast-paced sport!
Cost
When you sign up, you'll pay £30, which covers your first four sessions. After that, each session costs £5. You can either pay upfront for the rest of the course, or pay as you go in cash.