#wearerollerderby

[sfvrollerderby]

Happy International Women's Day from everyone at SFV Roller Derby! #sfvrd #sfvrollerderby #rollerderby #hitlikeagirl #womenempowerment #internationalwomensday #wearerollerderby

[refreshonwheels]

Monthly Update

Wow, it’s February already - time flies! I’m glad to say that I’ve been busy.

Scrims

I’ve refereed two scrims already this year - one in Leicester as a Jammer Referee, and one in Sheffield as Front Inside Pack Referee. Both went really well, and came away with new learnings and improved confidence.

I feel I’m getting more proficient at IPR/JR positions, and find myself willing to volunteer for them more often.

My fear of Jammer Reffing is now gone, and I’m confident to keep track of those important hip passes, but more importantly, I believe I have enough knowledge to understand and deal with the common-uncommon star pass situations. The uncommon-uncommon situations will always be tricky, and it’s something to keep working on.

I’m getting a much better understanding of pack definition too. I’m still somewhat slow to call no packs and out of plays, but it’s getting considerably better. Something that will continue to improve in practise and at scrims.

I have a few more scrims lined up in the coming weeks, and I’m keen to continue my pack skills.

British Championships

Yesterday was Game Day 1 for T4WN. I was selected to OPR the first game and ALT the second. This was my first time officiating a Champs game, so I was nervous but excited.

It also means I’ve checked off one of my goals for the year! 

I felt comfortable OPRing, and confident making calls. Feedback from fellow referees and the HR were all positive, with a few tweaks and areas to consider in future. I fell out of position two or three times, but that was due to not anticipating the pack speed suddenly changing. Something to work on in the future.

I also did a rather epic knee slide in to the ‘danger zone’ seating area. My wheel stopped dead under me on the exit of corner two, and I lost directional control. In a split second, I decided the best course of action was to take a knee and fall in a controlled fashion rather than attempt some kind of recovery. I managed to keep eyes on the pack (for the most part) and didn’t injure any of the spectators. I was told later that it looked awesome, so that’s the main thing, right?

ALTing was also a great experience. I have never done this position before, but I found it incredibly interesting and useful. I spotted a few technical penalty types and fed them in to the OPR crew who issued the penalties. I handled four foul-outs and two expulsions, and all the paperwork that goes with them.

I had a fantastic day, and I’m excited for more Champs level refereeing in the future!

Exercise and Fitness

I’ve changed my weightlifting programme from ICF to PHUL. This means I’m basically at the gym four days a week instead of three. On Wednesday, I squeeze in a 5k jog. I’m getting stronger and fitter, but so much further to go!

[Photo courtesy of BreezeBlock]

[ecka6]

New jerseys! 😬 #rollerderby #rollerskating #girlswithpiercings #tattooedgirls #tattoos #wheelieshoes #viqueens #girlswithink #girlswithtattoos #piercings #pierced #modified #jammer #wearerollerderby #modifiedgirls #skating #derbylove #derbygirl #waterford #ireland #demonsaves #demonunited @demondirt

[wrdonline]

[daddy-wrong-legs-blog]

Today was a floor munching kind of day

All I did today was fall over! I was hammering weaving because there was basically no one at practice and I gotta pass it. In our league you have to demonstrate the skill 3 times to get signed off. So I got it ONCE in under 6 seconds and couldn't do it again. I'm hoping fresh legs on Wednesday means I nail 2 & 3 and get ticked off. It's so weird how people reference things you've never done to get you to understand the movement. "It's like skiing." Only helpful if I've got that memory to reference! I think I've gotten the technique down though, just need to shave .07 of a second off my usual time!

[bigbuckshr]

One Day, One Tournament, ALL The brightest B Team Stars!

Big Bucks High Rollers B team, the Rough Diamonds are hosting their 2nd annual B team tournament.

Playing to thrill and hoping to take back the trophy from last years winners Wiltshire Roller Derby you can catch these crazy Diamonds in action on Sunday 13th September at Wycombe Sports Centre.

Tickets: 

£7 online £10 on the door Kids under 12 go Free

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

[ecka6]

I'm famous now! ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ #rollerderby #rollerskating #girlswithpiercings #tattooedgirls #tattoos #wheelieshoes #viqueens #girlswithink #girlswithtattoos #piercings #pierced #modified #jammer #wearerollerderby #modifiedgirls #skating #derbylove #derbygirl #waterford #ireland #rebellionrollerderby #demonsaves #demonunited @demondirt

[wrdonline]

Congratulations to our newly elected captains and vices! Savage Lilies Captain Smashworth. Vice Captain De-Kaff. Pack Animals Captain 12 Gauge. Vice Captain D.Boom.

[daddy-wrong-legs-blog]

Today's practice

I got 20 laps in my 27/5 which is a new PB! I was in a lot of foot pain all session though which was grim. The team has really been through the mill recently and a lot of our old guard have left to join another, bigger and more successful, local team. Which is fair enough for them but by god have we got a lot on trying to keep everything running. It's starting to feel like things are getting better and we're getting closer to being the team we want to be so I feel happy. Next week, 21 laps!

[refreshonwheels]

Year in review: 2016

As the year draws to a close, it's customary to reflect on the efforts and progress of the last twelves months of officiating.

Since starting with roller derby, my aim was to be an official with hopes of becoming a referee. My goal for 2016 was to get the confidence and skills required to achieve this, even if it's just to referee training sessions and drills.

With help and support from my home league, and with an ever-growing network of experienced and new officials to call on for advice and information, I achieved this goal.

My first outing as a referee was on the 16th April 2016 at a scrim hosted by Nottingham's Hellfire Harlots. Their head referee helped guide me and gave me confidence to actually give it a go. I didn't call any penalties that day, but I do remember seeing penalties occur and agree when other referees called them. For me, this was a breakthrough moment.

Over the following months, I clocked up a total of 31 outings as a referee at regulation games. Some closed doors, some open doors, and even two at championship level. This breaks down to 17 OPR positions, eight as IPR, and five as JR.

I also officiated at Nottingham's Louisey Rider Cup (as NSO) and at Wakefield's Harry Potter themed tournament (as SO). I attended two referee boot camps and received guidance from internationally renowned referees such as Righteous Oxide, Igor Maniac, and Rollin Rat.

My league also supported my application for the league head referee (which later developed to head official), and I feel I've done well in this role to foster a learning environment for those interested in officiating. I felt proud representing the league in my officiating, showing impartiality and fairness in all games I officiated in any capacity.

I couldn't have achieved any of my goals without the support from my home league and coaches, and from all of the referees from neighbouring leagues - especially those in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. I feel I've helped develop a welcoming and supportive environment for all officials at Mansfield Roller Derby, both for home-grown officials and those visiting our league.

Next year will see new challenges, including the new ruleset and supporting documents, and will be a great opportunity to further my abilities and skills.

I have a few goals for 2017: - Lead the training of officials at Mansfield Roller Derby - Head referee an open door home event - Apply to referee British Championships T4W - Apply to referee at least one open door tournament - Apply for referee certification

I'm excited and inspired for 2017. Watch this space!

[39emrah-blog]

We support teams far and wide. We really are one big family. #wearerollerderby #PileO'BonesDerbyClub #YorkMinxters

[ecka6]

Derby training last night. I'm sore today for the first time in a while! #WeAreRollerDerby #rollerderby #rollerskating #girlswithpiercings #tattooedgirls #tattoos #modified #modifiedgirls #wheelieshoes #girlswithink #girlswithtattoos #alternative (at Cill Barra Sports Centre)

[wrdonline]

Our team mate, Talula Trouble, gave a teal ribbon, in memory of Sophie “Harmstrong” Armstrong, our tiny jammer who we lost a few months ago, to Short Stop from Gotham Girls Roller Derby as she was one of Soph’s favourite roller derby players. Short Stop said she would take the ribbon back to America with her so Sophie can carry on her adventures in New York. This is why we love the roller derby community!  

[daddy-wrong-legs-blog]

I NSOd today (Jam timing) after an awesome bootcamp. I look really happy in these photos ❤️