The game of Roller Derby relies of a myriad of officials to keep track of the game, and the referees are the ones who live right in the thick of the action. This months featured skater is one of own own beloved reffing crew, Garbo Gal!
Name & Number?
Garbo Gal - 44
Position?
Referee – JR/IPR/OPR…working towards HR (OMG I’ve just said that out loud!) – I’ve never played after being seriously injured during fresh meat and because I realised I don’t like other people’s sweat.
How long have you been skating with BCR?
I began in 2011 – but was out with an injury for around 6 months and I take time out to tread the boards at the local theatre, most recently as Madame Giry in Phantom of the Opera…so it’s derby…theatre…derby…theatre…
How did you get involved?
There was a phone number I tore off an advertisement at the supermarket…I carried that slip of paper around for a year before finally contacting BCR…and then I dragged my friend Julie along with me because she has tattoos…I have since learned that they’re not mandatory.
What do you do when you’re not playing derby?
Operate a waste and recycling company in Hawke’s Bay with my husband Robert aka ‘The Lovely Man’ because he supports pretty much any idea I choose to pursue, I also write books for children and young adults…secretly a lot of the things I’ve become involved with have simply been research for a writing idea…but derby stuck.
What’s your fav off skates fitness activity?
Laying on the couch with cheese and crackers, glass of wine and catching up with our recorded favourite series that we never have time to watch during the week…what do you mean that’s not a fitness activity? I’ve danced all my life, so for me anything that’s similar to dance – Pilates/Yoga…I love Bikram, but again…have to negotiate other people’s sweat for that.
Are you inspired by anyone else in derby/any other players?
Yes – all of the above. My favourite thing of all is seeing my own BCR-ers and those around the country be so much better than they were the last time I saw them on the track. I’ve most often jam reffed and I’m always cheering inside when my jammer, whoever she is, gets through a tough pack, makes an awesome apex jump, takes a massive block - but keeps on going…I guess I’m living vicariously through them. I’m always their biggest supporter as I’m reffing them…nobody is going to get away with a multiplayer on you, you are going to receive every point you earn and ultimately…please don’t make me send you to the box…I really don’t want to – then you swap wrist bands, switch allegiances and do it all over again. I love it. I’m also really inspired by the original refs in NZ who, as they were learning were willing to make mistakes, and let others learn from them and who allowed me to make mistakes too…Mischief for pushing me outside my comfort zone and placing me as IPR at Derby Royale, Danger and WarnHer for all their patient explanations and more recently our visiting Sir Osis who allowed me to shadow HR him during Low Down, that was invaluable. Having great NSO support too is really inspiring and confidence building.
Operate a waste and recycling company in Hawke’s Bay with my husband Robert aka ‘The Lovely Man’ because he supports pretty much any idea I choose to pursue, I also write books for children and young adults…secretly a lot of the things I’ve become involved with have simply been research for a writing idea…but derby stuck.
What’s your fav off skates fitness activity?
Laying on the couch with cheese and crackers, glass of wine and catching up with our recorded favourite series that we never have time to watch during the week…what do you mean that’s not a fitness activity? I’ve danced all my life, so for me anything that’s similar to dance – Pilates/Yoga…I love Bikram, but again…have to negotiate other people’s sweat for that.
Are you inspired by anyone else in derby/any other players?
Yes – all of the above. My favourite thing of all is seeing my own BCR-ers and those around the country be so much better than they were the last time I saw them on the track. I’ve most often jam reffed and I’m always cheering inside when my jammer, whoever she is, gets through a tough pack, makes an awesome apex jump, takes a massive block - but keeps on going…I guess I’m living vicariously through them. I’m always their biggest supporter as I’m reffing them…nobody is going to get away with a multiplayer on you, you are going to receive every point you earn and ultimately…please don’t make me send you to the box…I really don’t want to – then you swap wrist bands, switch allegiances and do it all over again. I love it. I’m also really inspired by the original refs in NZ who, as they were learning were willing to make mistakes, and let others learn from them and who allowed me to make mistakes too…Mischief for pushing me outside my comfort zone and placing me as IPR at Derby Royale, Danger and WarnHer for all their patient explanations and more recently our visiting Sir Osis who allowed me to shadow HR him during Low Down, that was invaluable. Having great NSO support too is really inspiring and confidence building.
Is there a story behind your name/number?
I pick up waste and recycling for a living therefore am a ‘Garbo’. I’m involved in amateur and professional theatre (Greta) Garbo Gal – and 69 the year I was born was taken in our league already, so all the fours = 44 add them together you’ve got 8, which if you lay on its side is the infinity symbol…and now it’s just going places nobody expects of a number, but it’s my hope to keep skating as long as possible. You asked and I’m a story teller.
What do you bring to derby, either on or off the track?
Commitment…and a big smile…how can you be unhappy when you’re roller skating?
What’s your most awesome derby moment?
When I get it really right; perfectly seen, perfectly called and when that call makes a difference – like getting those four whistles out the split second before the opposition jammer hits the back of the pack. It’s also so cool to be part of a crew where two of you simultaneously make the exact same call…it’s great to be part of a ref team totally in flow with each other…then it’s just fun from start to finish.
I pick up waste and recycling for a living therefore am a ‘Garbo’. I’m involved in amateur and professional theatre (Greta) Garbo Gal – and 69 the year I was born was taken in our league already, so all the fours = 44 add them together you’ve got 8, which if you lay on its side is the infinity symbol…and now it’s just going places nobody expects of a number, but it’s my hope to keep skating as long as possible. You asked and I’m a story teller.
What do you bring to derby, either on or off the track?
Commitment…and a big smile…how can you be unhappy when you’re roller skating?
What’s your most awesome derby moment?
When I get it really right; perfectly seen, perfectly called and when that call makes a difference – like getting those four whistles out the split second before the opposition jammer hits the back of the pack. It’s also so cool to be part of a crew where two of you simultaneously make the exact same call…it’s great to be part of a ref team totally in flow with each other…then it’s just fun from start to finish.
How do you manage the real life vs derby balance?
I don’t really. I’m having trouble managing my life vs work vs writing vs everything balance…but ultimately if I really don’t want to do something, I don’t do it and if I really do want to do something I bust a gut to ensure that I do. Don’t sweat it…get it it…there is always somebody else, none of us is indispensable.
Do you have a pre-bout routine?
Yes and it doesn’t seem to change. I pack my bag entirely the night before and re-read rules most applicable to my ref position. I eat a really healthy breakfast, usually a smoothie and have good home prepared food pre-bout especially if we’re travelling (after the bout…any and all junk food is the go). I rub my feet with arnica, numb my ruined back with biofreeze gel, warm up well and report to the head ref with a full immersion, ready to be the best I can be today, attitude…because it’s a privilege and a joy to serve the skaters who work so hard on the track…that’s the way I see it.
I don’t really. I’m having trouble managing my life vs work vs writing vs everything balance…but ultimately if I really don’t want to do something, I don’t do it and if I really do want to do something I bust a gut to ensure that I do. Don’t sweat it…get it it…there is always somebody else, none of us is indispensable.
Do you have a pre-bout routine?
Yes and it doesn’t seem to change. I pack my bag entirely the night before and re-read rules most applicable to my ref position. I eat a really healthy breakfast, usually a smoothie and have good home prepared food pre-bout especially if we’re travelling (after the bout…any and all junk food is the go). I rub my feet with arnica, numb my ruined back with biofreeze gel, warm up well and report to the head ref with a full immersion, ready to be the best I can be today, attitude…because it’s a privilege and a joy to serve the skaters who work so hard on the track…that’s the way I see it.
Photo Credits: banner; (1) Geex Quad Foto, (2) Robert Simpson, (3) Chris Fuller.
body; (1) Sandy Carter Photography, (2) Poparazzi, (3,4) Robert Simpson.
body; (1) Sandy Carter Photography, (2) Poparazzi, (3,4) Robert Simpson.
