Saturday 15th February see Barnsley’s first ever Roller Derby team play it’s first ever match on home turf. Dubbed The St Valentines Day Massacre, the Barnsley Black Heart Rollers go face to face with The Mansfield Misfits. Second up is some experienced derby action from the men teams The Inhuman League vs Lincolnshire Rolling Thunder. Both teams feature amazing skaters from Team England Men’s Roller Derby so expect to see something special!
ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE @ THE METRODOME
BARNSLEY BLACK HEART ROLLERS V’s THE MANSFIELD MISFITS
THE INHUMAN LEAGUE V’s LINCOLNSHIRE ROLLING THUNDER
DOORS 1pm / £5 on the door (UNDER 12s GO FREE)
Back at the end of the summer of 2012, the Black Heart Rollers was formed by a few Barnsley girls who were looking to start what would be Barnsley’s first ever Roller Derby team. After a few meet-ups at The Walkabout and a first training session at the YMCA, and a team vote on the name and logo, the Black heart Rollers were born. The team currently has twenty-one active players.
I caught up with team member Amie Richards (also known as Lady Punk Block) to find out a little more about the team. I wanted to know what made her join ranks.
‘I personally joined because I’ve always loved to skate and been interested in roller derby but never thought that Barnsley would have it’s own team. One evening when I was at a loose end after splitting from a long term relationship, I googled it and was extremely shocked when I found the Black Hearts. I messaged them straight away, watched a training session the following day and ordered all of my kit that night. I’ve never looked back since.’
I asked, just what do you get from being a team like the Black Hearts?
‘What I gain… Its fast, furious and full of adrenaline. There’s nothing like being a lady all day and then being able to bash out your tension with a group of like minded girls. We train hard and play hard, and have a special connection. Just being able to play with your friends, in an amazing cool sport is awesome. I can’t go a day without thinking about it.’
So what about this debut Barnsley match? How did that come about and why is now the right time?
‘Our first match came about after a few of our players guested for another team and got the bug to bout, but also got the confidence and thought that we were ready. It’s definitely the right time as although we have members who have started at different times over the past 18 months, we now have a very strong team who work great together. We needed something to focus on, to up our ante; and it has definitely worked. We’ve never trained so hard and been as fit as we are now, so there’s no looking back for us now. There will be many more home and away bouts to come.’
Keep up to date with Barnsley’s Black Heart Rolers via the following links:
facebook.com/pages/Barnsley-Black-Heart-Rollers/272301206216656
barnsleyblackheartrollers.co.uk
Interested in joining and being part of the action? email bbhrrecruitment@gmail.com
Alternative Barnsley 
I’ve always wanted to do something like this but I cant even stand up on skates!