Archive for December, 2009

December 30th, 2009 | Posted in Bouts, Recruitment

ARRG News & Notes for the Final Days of the “Aughts”

by The Grand Poobah

Howdy, derby fans! As we break in the new year, there’s a few quick updates from ARRG Nation…

TRIVIA TIME!

Just announced from the league is the second installment of the ARRG Trivia Night. Anyone who competed at our inaugural event in February saw just how intense the competition could get.trivia-blog

Details for the event are as follows….

THE EVENT: “Brains & Brawn” Trivia Night, presented by ARRG

DATE: Saturday, January 23, 2010

TIME: 7 PM (Doors open at 6 PM)

WHERE: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2934 Marshall Ave., Maplewood, MO

COST: $25 per person, which includes complimentary beer, wine, soda and light snacks.

Tables can consist of up to 10 team members. You can bring additional light snacks if you wish, but please, no outside alcohol.

Last year’s questions covered numerous categories, ranging from St. Louis history to popular culture, from movies to music, and even a round that had a special “derby” theme. If you’re unsure about your answers, mulligans will be for sale to help your team’s score!

Cash prizes will go to the top tables….and wouldn’t you and your tablemates love bragging rights for being “The Smartest Peeps in St. Louis??”

Plus, a slient auction will be held. Anyone who was at February’s event remembers the wide variety of items to bid on, including great gift baskets supplied by local businesses, gift certificates and even hand-made items from the girls of ARRG themselves.

Also on the docket is a table-decorating contest. I predict that this could be the most intriguing competition of the night.

Book your table now - for tables and tickets will not be available at the door. Our inaugural trivia event completely packed the gymnasium and we anticipate the same this time, so you’ll want to assemble your team early and pre-register to get a prime position for the competiton. RSVP at ArrgEvents@gmail.com.

We’ll have more details on this event as it approaches…but don’t hesistate to make your plans now to join us for a fun night of trivia, which supports the operation of ARRG in 2010.

2010 SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

Home season tickets for the “Twenty-10″ installment of the Arch Rival Roller Girls are on sale through Brown Paper Tickets. Your season pass gives you admission to six regular season bouts, the league championship in July, two “ARRG All-Star” home bouts (2/20 vs. Milwaukee and 6/5 vs. Albuquerque) as well as ARRG’s inaugural mini tournament on August 28 & 29.

Get your season pass now for only $85, a savings of $25 off the regular “bout night” ticket price. Passes can be picked up the night of the 1/09/10 bout or thereafter.

The home schedule for ARRG can be found here so you can plan your derby year when you buy your season pass.

YOUNG SPUDS’ TICKET PRICE FOR 2010? = $0

In keeping with the tradition of ARRG, tickets for those under 10 for home bouts this season are free. This makes a night out for ARRG action economical for those with kiddos. Our bouts are family-friendly and bringing the great action of ARRG to the younger audience is imperative for the future growth of the league. After the bout, feel free to let your youngsters meet and get autographs with the ladies. You’ll see firsthand that the ARRG athletes are the most approachable in St. Louis. Find out for yourself on Saturday, January 9th at the All-American Sports Mall.

GATEKEEPERS TEAM UP WITH ARRG IN 2010

gk1The St. Louis GateKeepers men’s roller derby franchise will have their first public bout prior to the Smashinistas/Stunt Devils bout on Saturday, March 20th at the All-American Sports Mall. The GateKeepers battle the Race City Rebels from Indianapolis. ARRG Nation knows how passionate “The Circle City” is about their derby, so expect a good contingent to follow their team. This is our chance to support the men - many of whom are familiar to those who follow ARRG.

ARRG POST-BOUT “AFTERPARTIES” RETURN TO THE UPPER DECK

afterFor the 2010 home season, ARRG will have their “official” post-bout afterparties at the All-American Sports Mall’s Upper Deck. This is your prime place to continue a fun night of derby action - and a chance to meet your favorite ARRG athletes.

(Poobah’s note: Upper Deck’s website currently has the 2009 ARRG schedule on their “upcoming events” page, so don’t be confused. Let’s just say we’re a little more pro-active in updating information. Long story short, you’ll be at the bout anyway - so join the rest of ARRG Nation up there.)

NEXT WEEK IN THE NEWS SECTION

The wait is finally over! The 2010 season begins with a re-match of the 2009 championship, as the Stunt Devils start the defense of their league title against the M-80s. My derbycast colleague Hells LaBelle will be by here next week to preview a highly anticipated match-up - which features a re-vamped line-up for the ladies in red.

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the 2010 season of the Arch Rival Roller Girls. Check back here on Mondays for the latest in ARRG information.

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December 14th, 2009 | Posted in Recap

Building Upon ‘09, ARRG Looks to Grow in the New Decade

2010-season-webIt seems like it just ended yesterday….

When the Stunt Devils claimed a 127-124 victory over the M-80’s for ARRG’s big brass ring in August, it was the last taste of the league for many fans in 2009.

And what a year it was - as it contained some of the most competitive action in the four-year history of the league. Audiences responded with increased attendance, solidifying ARRG’s position as St. Louis’ athletic alternative.

The growth of the league continued beyond its three anchor teams. The ARRG All-Stars - which embarked on journeys to uncharted territories such as Detroit, Indianapolis, Albuquerque and Madison - were nationally ranked by the WFTDA. The team also made its first appearance in the WFTDA’s post-season, invitation-only tournament.

The league’s developmental team - the St. Lunachix- went undefeated in its inaugural campaign, outscoring its opponents 653-302. The league received unprecedented local media exposure through television, print, Internet and radio. ARRG was even featured in a nationally distributed music video by veteran alt-rockers The Breeders.

In short, 2009 was a breakthrough year - which makes the follow-up potentially difficult.

Given the daunting task, the league has been anything but dormant since its conclusion this past Fall.

While ARRG bid a loving farewell to numerous veterans as they retired from active play, new (and experienced) skaters have been drafted by all three teams. The ARRG All-Stars and St. Lunachix have welcomed new faces into the fold as well.

There have also been the “behind the scenes” activities - including skater/volunteer recruitment, event/venue scheduling, sponsorship acquisition and marketing - which are imperative to the operation of the league.

Oh yeah - and then there’s the practices, which meet several times a week. The women have been working hard - those bumps and bruises are just as real for the ladies now as they were during the regular season. This reflects the true competitive spirit these athletes possess.

Perhaps this is the first year that the league doesn’t have a true “off-season,” as the 2010 campaign starts in January - its earliest start ever.

But such are the responsibilities ARRG is willing to accept to spread the good gospel of women’s flat track roller derby to the masses.

Part of the sweat-equity that will be invested for the new season will be dedicated towards providing you - a member of the ever-loving ARRG public - more insight to the league through this website.

hells-labelle

Hells Labelle

This is where my derbycast partner, Hells LaBelle, and I step in. Beginning in 2010 at archrivalrollergirls.com, we’ll bring you weekly news and information surrounding the league, including game recaps, bout previews and human interest pieces that make the league…well…what it is.

By giving a more in-depth peek into the “ins, outs and arounds” of ARRG, you’ll have a better understanding - and hopefully a newfound appreciation - of the people who are loyal to this, our sport.

We’ll have a new ARRG tidbit every Monday - thus, you’ll have a good reason to return to the ARRG website continuously throughout the 2010 season.

And just to clarify, this will be a supplement to the solid coverage that archrivalrollergirls.com already brings you with its personality profiles, statistics and event/ticket information.

If you have any suggestions - and we’d love to hear from you - please feel free to contact us here at the website. Since you made the effort to stop by, then the ARRG family welcomes you - the fan - with open arms. We know you won’t be disappointed.

Enjoy the rest of your 2009, and we look forward to seeing you at the season opener on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the All-American Sports Mall as the Stunt Devils begin their 2009 title defense against their championship rival, the M-80’s.

The Grand Poobah

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the 2010 season of the Arch Rival Rollergirls. Check this area on Mondays during the 2010 season for news and information surrounding ARRG.

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