The movie was pretty formulaic, the story was a little asinine, but I tell you what: I felt pretty damn cool sitting in that theatre with my pleather jacket on and my peeps filling three rows worth of seats, and I was proud to answer the woman who sat next to me that YES, the girls in our league really do hit that hard. It was one of those moments where everything kind of stops and where I sort of realized that I actually AM a derby girl. (You know, it’s like those weird moments where the sound of your own name seems really odd to you – an objective realization of how you are seen in the world)
On my way home, I started reminiscing hardcore about my early days of Derby. I remember going to the Beast of the East 2008, as a spectator, to watch the girls. I bumped into a friend from high school, who I hadn’t seen in years, and she was on one of the Montreal teams. She said to me: “Derby will take over your life. But what a great thing!” and I got excited at the prospect.
However, at first, it didn’t take over my life, and I was scared that maybe I didn’t have it in me to be a Roller Girl. But I stuck with it, through my first big fall:
(that made me love that I could be so tough!)
…through hours of practices where it seemed I’d never get fast, never hit hard, and never get the strategy… Through moments of self doubt where I thought everyone was against me and rather I not even show up to practice…
and then suddenly, there it was: I was thinking about derby all the time. I was waiting for practices instead of coming up with excuses not to go. I was invested in these girls that I skate with every week:
Derby had begun to take over my life. And then I started to ref, because I couldn’t bear to attend a Derby Bout and not be on skates. I learned so much in that season of reffing, and I owe a big thanks to the refs you showed me the way!
And then a few months ago, I found my Derby Name and I got my first uniform.
That game in Albany was the pinnacle of my derby career to date. And not because I was particularly stellar or even stood out in any way (I actually warmed the bench for most of the game). No, it was a moment I won’t forget because it was THE MOST FUN I’D EVER HAD ON SKATES.. The adrenaline was pumping, and the team was so cohesive. It was an amazing time!
It’s tough to get all sappy about something that’s supposed to be so baddass, but I can honestly say that I love Roller Derby. I love what it does for me, I love what I get from it, and I love the people who do it with me. I’m playing in London, ON this weekend, and I can’t friggin’ wait!
And through all that Derby love, comes the overwhelming knowledge that not only do we have a great league, we also have an entire pack of fresh meat who have already shown their dedication and commitment, working their little butts off to make the minimum skills test and become full fledged members. Nothing warms the heart more.
Now the only thing to do is wait with great anticipation for the coming out season of RVRG’s second team: the RIOT SQUAD!!! Stay tuned…