The UK's First Roller Derby Magazine

This time last year I’d not been on skates since my sixth birthday when I got a pair of Aladdin quads with interchangeable character badges.

This time last year Atoms were something to do with science and panties were something I wore under my jeans. Then I was introduced to roller derby and everything changed.

I started my derby journey when I signed my waiver form outside a sports hall in Newcastle in August 2011. I threw myself into learning knee falls, pushing myself to do twenty five laps in five minutes, I learned the rules and, three months after I started, I passed my minimum skills test. One month later I was part of an intraleague team opening for the Newcastle Roller Girls Canny Belters and everything I’d learned went out the window.

Being out on the track for the first time in front of the crowd was amazing but it reinforced the fact that passing my minimum skills was just the beginning. There’s so much more to learn once you have the basics down and I don’t think there’s really a point at which you’ve learned everything. I thought I knew my derby self pretty well until a couple of weeks ago when I was part of the of Harshmallows, facing off against the Smackjacks as part of the Middlesbrough Milk Rollers cherry popper opening bout.

I wasn’t fielded as jammer until our lineup manager looked from girl to girl and a team mate piped up saying, “Rainbow Frite is a great jammer!” I stared at her incredulously as I pulled on the jammer panty, confused and feeling like I was probably going to be sick in my mouth. Turns out – I’m not as bad a jammer as I thought and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would (and I wasn’t sick, either!)

photo by D.Crompton

One thing I’ll say to any newbs who are just starting out or who have just passed their minimum skills and are now playing with the big girls – don’t back down. You are as good as you think you are when you close your eyes and picture yourself breaking through the pack and leading your team to victory. When I first started training alongside the A team I could have made a list as long as my arm of things I’d rather do than go back to training the next week but I did it and so will you. You’ll go back every week until you stop looking at other people and start concentrating on yourself. I know my strengths but, more importantly, my weaknesses and what I need to work on to become a better roller girl.

About 6 months ago, I first began my hunt for a Roller Derby team. I had decided on the sport a little while before as I’d watched a few bouts online and seen a couple of roller girls in my travels up north. They were immediately the kind of women I wanted to be; fearless, confident and fun! The bouts looked exhilarating – fast paced and dynamic. Watching each player with their individual way of skating whilst being part of such strong teams was something I wanted to be a part of. I saw it as a chance to get out there – join a community and act as an individual at the same time, a chance to bring out my future identity.

The first opportunity I saw was the London Rollergirls Recreational League, they had try-outs coming up for newbies but unfortunately the day was already occupied with an exam for university – one of the downfalls of being a student. In the end, I never regretted missing those try outs because my eyes fell upon a local team – Croydon Roller Derby. I hadn’t heard about the team before, I never knew they even existed and yet they were so close! To make things better, they had a recruitment day set up. Ace.

photo courtesy of Louise Collins

I attended, trying to look ‘cool’ I baked some cupcakes and took them along, also hoping they would sway them to take me on. On second thoughts, it may have been a bit desperate but they went down well! It was a short session – we tested our endurance and balance on the skates. Luckily, I’d already bought some cheapish equipment. It went really well, despite being quite ill during the day, I had managed to pull it outta the bag. I had survived the nerves, the anxieties, the excitement and come out the other end. I can still remember what it was like to be in those try-outs; I met some wonderful girls, the hilarious Rolling Thunder (our trainer) and came out thinking that roller derby was all I wanted to do.

photo courtesy of Louise Collins

We had a chat after the skating and were filled in on the team and where they were – an expanding force with the capability to go far. Sitting at the table, listening to President Garfield (Team Captain) speak, it was like a light had gone on and I had found a place where I felt at home. Being a social outsider, this was big for me. The training schedule hadn’t put me off, the dedication and frustration aspect hadn’t deterred me. I wanted in – right then, right there.

I’ve been with Croydon Roller Derby for about 4 months now with the Fresh Meat guys and gals – my new family. I’m just about to test for my basic skills and have enjoyed every single session, there are no regrets.