Is 2017 going to be the year when you will find your next passion? February is the time to join our 60+ league members who have been hooked by the derby bug. Our featured skater this month is one of our resident Americans. Bay City Rollers has helped make her transition to Hawkes Bay seamless. From not knowing a soul in Hawkes Bay a year ago, she has not only gained a lot of new friends, but also kept her passion of 10 years alive. Register now for our February 2017 intake.
What is your derby name? please explain the inspiration and story behind your derby name.
After returning from an extended leave I decided to drop my derby name and skate under my surname. I appreciate roller derby’s roots in entertainment but at this point, I just want to play roller derby!
What is your number? Why did you choose it?
My number is the one piece of my derby persona that I have held onto. My full number was actually “6 Feet Under”, but today I simply use the number 6.
Quote & Why?
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”
It is easy to say “no” to new experiences, to change, to challenges or to things that make you uncomfortable. But that is where the fun happens and where you see what you are truly capable of. I am afraid of chainsaws but was a wildland firefighter. I am afraid of heights but have gone skydiving and bungy jumping and I was terrified to tryout for a competitive roller derby league, but here I am ten years later! I now say “yes” to anything that scares me.
After returning from an extended leave I decided to drop my derby name and skate under my surname. I appreciate roller derby’s roots in entertainment but at this point, I just want to play roller derby!
What is your number? Why did you choose it?
My number is the one piece of my derby persona that I have held onto. My full number was actually “6 Feet Under”, but today I simply use the number 6.
Quote & Why?
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”
It is easy to say “no” to new experiences, to change, to challenges or to things that make you uncomfortable. But that is where the fun happens and where you see what you are truly capable of. I am afraid of chainsaws but was a wildland firefighter. I am afraid of heights but have gone skydiving and bungy jumping and I was terrified to tryout for a competitive roller derby league, but here I am ten years later! I now say “yes” to anything that scares me.
Describe what Roller Derby means to you?
I owe so much to roller derby. Sure, it is a sport, but it is more than that - it challenges me mentally and physically, it has brought the right kind of people into my world and it has also been the source of so much fun and MANY laughs. Roller derby is my tribe.
How long have you been involved with Roller Derby?
I started playing roller derby ten years ago and have now played for three leagues in two countries.
Describe your first Bout?
My first bout was only three months after I strapped on my skates for the first time and I was so nervous I thought I was going to either be sick or pass out. It went by so fast and by the end of the game I knew I was hooked.
I owe so much to roller derby. Sure, it is a sport, but it is more than that - it challenges me mentally and physically, it has brought the right kind of people into my world and it has also been the source of so much fun and MANY laughs. Roller derby is my tribe.
How long have you been involved with Roller Derby?
I started playing roller derby ten years ago and have now played for three leagues in two countries.
Describe your first Bout?
My first bout was only three months after I strapped on my skates for the first time and I was so nervous I thought I was going to either be sick or pass out. It went by so fast and by the end of the game I knew I was hooked.
Which team do you play for Twisted Sister/Iron Maidens?
Both.
What is your position of choice?
Blocker or pivot – it depends on the day.
What is your skate gear of choice?
I’m terrible at gear maintenance which is why I absolutely love my Grn Mnstr Moto premium swiss bearings. They are just as fast as the first day I put them in my wheels without ever cleaning them. I also love my Bont skates.
Do you have a pre-bout ritual?
I make sure I have a balanced, light and healthy meal about three hours before game time and I do not allow myself to think about the game until we begin warming up.
Both.
What is your position of choice?
Blocker or pivot – it depends on the day.
What is your skate gear of choice?
I’m terrible at gear maintenance which is why I absolutely love my Grn Mnstr Moto premium swiss bearings. They are just as fast as the first day I put them in my wheels without ever cleaning them. I also love my Bont skates.
Do you have a pre-bout ritual?
I make sure I have a balanced, light and healthy meal about three hours before game time and I do not allow myself to think about the game until we begin warming up.
What do you think about when you're lacing up your skates?
I start visualising moves and strategies we have been working on so can I am prepared to execute them in the game.
What has been your best derby moment?
The Iron Maidens played Dunedin last year and at one point I found myself alone on the track because everyone had gone to the penalty box. I was somehow able to knock the jammer out of bounds and recycle her a third of the way back around the track. I feel like I got lucky, but maybe it was my visualisation!
How did you get involved with roller derby?
When I was in grad school I saw a poster for a bout in the student lounge and decided as soon as I graduated I would have to give it a go. I tried out before ever going to a bout.
I start visualising moves and strategies we have been working on so can I am prepared to execute them in the game.
What has been your best derby moment?
The Iron Maidens played Dunedin last year and at one point I found myself alone on the track because everyone had gone to the penalty box. I was somehow able to knock the jammer out of bounds and recycle her a third of the way back around the track. I feel like I got lucky, but maybe it was my visualisation!
How did you get involved with roller derby?
When I was in grad school I saw a poster for a bout in the student lounge and decided as soon as I graduated I would have to give it a go. I tried out before ever going to a bout.
What if any are the challenges that come with being involved in this sport?
Roller derby is not just a sport, each league operates like a business. It requires hours of off-skates contribution from everyone in order to ensure we have coaches at training, bouts are scheduled and staffed, etc. It can sometimes be challenging to maintain balance in other areas of your life while also taking care of your responsibilities. But it is all worth it!
Can you talk a bit about your Freshmeat (first year) year and how you learned to play roller derby?
I came from a soccer and lacrosse background and was ecstatic to play a full contact sport, but I was terrible at skating. I found myself throwing hits on other skaters but also taking myself out. I remember going early to training to work on jammer starts and tomahawk stops because I could not figure them out. Over time I improved on those skills and started focusing on more advanced skills. It seems overwhelming at first, but suddenly you find yourself in the middle of a jam using all of the skills you have learned without thinking about it.
What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby?
Just do it! It isn’t for everyone, but you will never know if it’s for you unless you give it a try.
Roller derby is not just a sport, each league operates like a business. It requires hours of off-skates contribution from everyone in order to ensure we have coaches at training, bouts are scheduled and staffed, etc. It can sometimes be challenging to maintain balance in other areas of your life while also taking care of your responsibilities. But it is all worth it!
Can you talk a bit about your Freshmeat (first year) year and how you learned to play roller derby?
I came from a soccer and lacrosse background and was ecstatic to play a full contact sport, but I was terrible at skating. I found myself throwing hits on other skaters but also taking myself out. I remember going early to training to work on jammer starts and tomahawk stops because I could not figure them out. Over time I improved on those skills and started focusing on more advanced skills. It seems overwhelming at first, but suddenly you find yourself in the middle of a jam using all of the skills you have learned without thinking about it.
What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby?
Just do it! It isn’t for everyone, but you will never know if it’s for you unless you give it a try.
Who are your derby heroes?
My favourite skaters are the unsung heroes - skaters who are out on the track, giving it their all, who might not be flashy or the best skaters, but they are solid, reliable, consistent and always get the job done.
How would you describe your derby playing style?
That’s a tough one! I would say persistent, hard hitting with good timing. I love landing a well-timed hit on a jammer, especially when they think they have cleared the pack.
What tips would you share with skaters looking to improve their jamming/blocking skills?
You know those drills that are hard and make you uncomfortable because you think you are no good at them – do those drills, over and over. It’s easy to stick with what comes easy, but you really grow as a skater when you become good at the things you were once terrible at.
My favourite skaters are the unsung heroes - skaters who are out on the track, giving it their all, who might not be flashy or the best skaters, but they are solid, reliable, consistent and always get the job done.
How would you describe your derby playing style?
That’s a tough one! I would say persistent, hard hitting with good timing. I love landing a well-timed hit on a jammer, especially when they think they have cleared the pack.
What tips would you share with skaters looking to improve their jamming/blocking skills?
You know those drills that are hard and make you uncomfortable because you think you are no good at them – do those drills, over and over. It’s easy to stick with what comes easy, but you really grow as a skater when you become good at the things you were once terrible at.
What are some of your greatest roller derby accomplishments on the track?
I come from the days of old school roller derby so I have had to adjust and work hard to keep up with the sport. It may sound funny, but when I started, we only skated backwards to stop and we only turned one direction. To play that way for four years and then have to learn not only how to turn the other direction, but to backwards block was one of the scariest things I have had to do. Some of my greatest moments have been executing these skills during a game because I never envisioned I would be doing these things!
Do you have any upcoming bouts that you’re really excited for and why?
I am the Interleague Liaison for BCR so I line up the schedule for the season. I am excited and nervous about a number of games this season because I think we will be really challenging ourselves.
How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
Well, for starters I met my husband through roller derby so you could say it has drastically affected how I live my life.
I come from the days of old school roller derby so I have had to adjust and work hard to keep up with the sport. It may sound funny, but when I started, we only skated backwards to stop and we only turned one direction. To play that way for four years and then have to learn not only how to turn the other direction, but to backwards block was one of the scariest things I have had to do. Some of my greatest moments have been executing these skills during a game because I never envisioned I would be doing these things!
Do you have any upcoming bouts that you’re really excited for and why?
I am the Interleague Liaison for BCR so I line up the schedule for the season. I am excited and nervous about a number of games this season because I think we will be really challenging ourselves.
How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
Well, for starters I met my husband through roller derby so you could say it has drastically affected how I live my life.
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since starting?
I no longer want to be the best, I just want to be a better than I was yesterday. There are more important things like having fun!
What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby?
I am the Sustainability Officer at the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board. I feel like roller derby has given me more experience working with different kinds of people and personalities than any job I have had, so I would say it’s the other way around.
Is there anyone that you would like to send a special thank you to?
I would like to thank everyone with BCR for welcoming me with open arms when I transferred from the United States. Moving to the other side of the world with your partner to a place where you don’t know anyone and don’t have any family is quite intimidating, but the transition has been so much easier having joined up with you.
I no longer want to be the best, I just want to be a better than I was yesterday. There are more important things like having fun!
What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby?
I am the Sustainability Officer at the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board. I feel like roller derby has given me more experience working with different kinds of people and personalities than any job I have had, so I would say it’s the other way around.
Is there anyone that you would like to send a special thank you to?
I would like to thank everyone with BCR for welcoming me with open arms when I transferred from the United States. Moving to the other side of the world with your partner to a place where you don’t know anyone and don’t have any family is quite intimidating, but the transition has been so much easier having joined up with you.
