This month, we are showcasing the fabulous Faerie Nuff! Faerie has been with ARRG for a long time, 5 and a half years, and recently reached her 100th game as a referee! Faerie is a cool, relaxed referee, with incredible knowledge and manages to exude professionalism whilst maintaining a sense of fun – get her at an afterparty and you’ll know what we mean!

Joined ARRG in: April 2010

Role in ARRG: Referee

Favourite position to officiate: Inside Pack Referee (IPR)

Your Derby story – why are you here?: I was introduced to derby in February 2010 by Blackjack Belle (who was with ARRG but is now in Newcastle and skates with NRG). About 10 minutes in to the first game I realised I wanted to be involved and signed up for fresh meat starting in April. I trained as a skater for a while but damaged my knee about 4 months after starting so was off skates and on crutches for months. During this time I NSOd pretty much every game and scrimmage going and loved it. It was then I decided when I got back on skates I was going to be a referee and I’ve been doing that ever since. I’ve now passed the 100 game mark for refereeing and have done around 150 games in total as an official, counting NSOing.

Best official-related advice: Erm, read the rules? Often. 🙂

What you do for the league aside from officiating: I am involved with the training and development of our skating officials. I often head referee games.

Any funny/embarrassing officiating stories: One time when I was travelling to Norway to referee, I left my luggage (and the majority of my kit) at home. I realised when I arrived at the airport (3 hours away from home) that the only things I had with me were my skates, stripes and passport. As the flight was 1 hour later, there wasn’t time to go home, so I had to borrow kit from some lovely Norwegian skaters.

Derby Hero: There are so many awesome people out there, I couldn’t single one out.

What do you do outside of derby: I am a qualified accountant and work in business analysis. In my non – derby free time I volunteer on a widening access Schools for Higher Education Programme. More recently have been spending time sorting and packing humanitarian aid destined for refugees displaced by war.

Fun fact about you: I’m super sensitive to sugar and tend to get a bit hyperactive. Those in the know have prohibited anyone giving me anything sugary on game day…at least until in the changing room after, or at the after party! Thereafter, everyone encourages me to have the sugar! 🙂

Our incredible All Star Reserves are about to embark on their third European away trip, as they head off to Copenhagen tomorrow to enter a tournament!

On Saturday, they will first face Copenhagen Roller Derby, before quickly getting back on track and battling it out with Malmo B. Then, they’ll get to sit back, relax, and enjoy those two take each other on track to decide the ultimate tournament winner!

Just a few weeks ago, this dedicated and tight knit team took a trip down to Manchester to play Rainy City B. Rainy were strong, hard and fierce, and though the game was hard fought, Rainy took the gold. But, they learned a lot, and have put this to use. They have trained hard and are ready to give it everything they have in Denmark.

Keep your fingers crossed and your eyes on the Facebook page for scores and updates! We are holding out for two wins, but whatever happens, we know they will fight hard, play strong, and show Copenhagen how we Party ARRG after the games!

GOOD LUCK ALL STAR RESERVES!

Follow the event here on Facebook.

This month, we are super proud to feature the wonderful LuPaul. Lu has been with ARRG for a few years now, and has recently joined the All Stars Roster, as a crossover. That means she still skates with the All Star Reserves, and will be joining them in Copenhagen at the end of the month when they travel over to play in a one day tournament. Good luck All Star Reserves!

Joined ARRG in: Started fresh meat in January 2011

Role in ARRG: All Star Reserve (and Leithal Weapons) skater…and fairly recently added to the All Stars roster, yay. Oh and currently Co-chair too!

Favourite position to play: Mainly blocker, but anywhere really! I usually block/pivot in games…but I am partial to a bit of Jamming at training, starting to enjoy it quite a lot these days!

Your Derby story – why are you here?: I was introduced to roller derby by a pal of mine who is currently a ref up in Aberdeen (Hi Tessington!), who kept saying “ooh, you’ll love this, do it, go watch an ARRG game”. So I did. ARRG vs. Berlin back in 2010, loved it, and immediately signed up for the Fresh Meat programme. I got my skates in the post (due to a postal error) three days before I went to my first session. So aye, bambi.

Best derby-related advice: I have two pieces of advice. Firstly, I know a lot of folk say this, but…don’t compare yourself to others! I started with practically no skate experience, and found myself getting annoyed I couldn’t get my laps or t-stops when others did, and had to go through fresh meat twice. But people progress at different paces. Focus on your progression, not how it compares to others. Secondly, if you want to improve and progress, do other fitness things outside derby! Weights, plyos, whatever. Get strong, quick, build up your endurance.

What you do for the league aside from skating: I am currently Co-Chair of the ARRG Board, and I also do some things like Facebook and sending press releases for our communications committee, so a busy wee ARRG bee

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories: Well, there was that one time I cracked my rib, with my own skate.

Derby Hero: A little cliché, but pretty much anyone who has given time and supported ARRG and roller derby in general over the years, it has grown so much. There is obviously a few top skaters in top leagues I aspire to, but our skaters who push themselves and work hard to get to where they are, and help out with all the DIY aspects too. Love y’all.

Although, I do want to give a wee shout out to my close pal Rosie, who has recently transferred to ARRG. We started derby at the same time, and even though in different places, her progression and commitment inspires me a bunch.

What do you do outside of derby: I work for a charity (as an exciting finance guy), I am currently studying for a degree through Open Uni, and I do pole fitness/dancing. I like to go upside down on a pole and try and do fancy things, it’s my favourite (other than derby of course!). And my pole pals are awesome. So yeah, pretty busy! I also often hang out with a man people may know as Stephen Tawking, ARRG announcer. We are married. He is good. We pun a lot.

Fun fact about you: I once went on live TV in my youth, and told people how to throw a javelin. Screamed for authenticity. Should’ve carried on with that as a sport too, eh.

Fancy trying roller derby, and being just like LuPaul? Well, we have just the thing. We are holding another taster day – a day to come along and give it a go, without having to buy all your own kit. Our next one is extra special – as we are holding it on the day of our home season final, and the cost includes entry to BOTH games after the taster! You can sit with your new found friends and watch the coaches as they play in the final. Details of how to sign up here.