Four Awful Truths About Gender Inequality In Sport
2014 was a massive year for women’s sport – but as Jess Connett explores, inequality, sexism and outrageous discrimination still reign...
Roller Derby: Bristol Girls Can
We know Bristol Girls Can participate in sport, and have an amazing time doing it. Here’s a video we made with Bristol Girls Can and Sport England, about your new favourite sport: Roller Derby.
She slams into them all, barging with her hips…
The whistle blows. A woman on a bright pink pair of roller skates pulls a cap with a star on it over her helmet, sets her face with a look of pure steel, and begins rushing towards a group of skaters on the track. She slams into them all, barging with her hips and dancing on her skates, looking for a gap to get past them. One woman charges her from the side and they both smash into the floor, elbow and knee pads crashing together.
‘Sorry, mate,”’ says one to the other, laughing through her gum shield. The whistle blows, they jump up off the floor and skate away together.
make animated gifs like this at MakeaGif
This is Roller Derby, the most intense full-contact sport you’ll ever see, played by some of the most lovely, gentle girls you can imagine. It’s a fascinating mix that perhaps stems from something not often found in sport: an all-female environment. There are no jumped-up testosterone boys here, just lots of strong, empowered women.
This is roller derby, the most intense full-contact sport you’ll ever see…
Roller Derby was the obvious choice when we were asked by Sport England to make a film about women in sport for their This Girl Can campaign – an amazing national initiative to get more girls active. Bristol Roller Derby has been going strong for five years and attracts girls of all shapes, sizes and ability to training sessions. Their teams play in national leagues, battling and winning against teams from all over the country.
Have we inspired you to try Roller Derby? Drop-in Derby sessions are for anyone wanting to give it a go, even if you’ve got no previous skating experience. Find out more here
See the other videos from the Bristol Girls can campaign here and get inspired to take part in sport again.
Here are more sports facilities available in Bristol
Links:
Bristol Girls Can Facebook
http://www.twitter.com/S4Lbristol #BristolGirlsCan
Bristol Girls Can Official Website
Bristol Roller Derby
Sports England
This Girl Can
Credits:
Music: ‘Under The Sun’ by Wexin
Directed/Edited by Jess Connett
Second Camera: Jack Edwards
Thanks to: Bristol Roller Derby, Esme Walton, Tali Skipper
You may also be interested in
Playlist: Songs by Sassy Girls to Get you out of the Door in the Morning
Sammy has to have at least one of these bangers playing in the morning if she's ever going to struggle...
Sexism Is Ruining The Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup takes place this summer but is sexism casting a shadow over the tournament?
About the author
Jess Connett
Jess was part of Cohort 2 (big love), and stayed on at Rife Towers as Coordinator of the Rife Guide during its launch. Rife will always have a special place in her heart *sparkle emoji*
More from this author
Truth About Youth: 'What Makes You Happy?'
Jess Connett gets the lowdown on how young people in Bristol recently made an amazing film about happiness, with The...
Jess' Long and Winding Rife Journey
Real life starts after Rife for Jess: she's going to miss it all like mad.
Pick of the Week: History Beneath Your Feet
Find out what’s on Rife Guide this week, including a free guided walk around the oldest bits of Bristol.
