This month’s featured skater, is the excellent Major Vengeance! Vengeance has just skated her first home season game, and not only that, but she has just this week been appointed as our new Board of Directors Co-Chair! We are really excited to see everything she can bring ARRG, both on and off the track.

Joined ARRG in:

June 2013

Role in ARRG:

Intermediate skater

Home Team:

The mighty Leithal Weapons

Favourite Position to Play:

Pivot, because I’m bossy and try to have a good grasp of strategy.

Your Derby Story – Why Are you Here?:

I’d thought about joining a roller derby team for aaages before finally going for it just before my 30th birthday. I had never skated before and spent a lot of time in Fresh Meat learning how to stay upright. I was supported as much by my new derby friends and coaches as by any ability of my own. I was determined to do it because I’d never been involved in anything with this fantastic combination of aggressive athleticism with an emphasis on fun and sportswomanship, feminism and an alternative attitude before.

Best Derby-Related Advice:

Jamnesia! Forget any mistakes you think you’ve made and focus on one thing you’re proud of. Some skaters breeze through everything naturally but those like me will have to work (very) slowly and steadily to build skills, so just try to remember how hard you’ve worked and how strong you are to keep trying – even when you don’t get your laps for the 100th time.

What you Do for the League Aside from Skating:

Co-chair of the board, first aider and comms stuff. General glitteriness, whether welcomed or not.

Any Funny/Embarrassing Derby Stories?:

I finished the first home season game, including bending low to give high fives to all the kids afterwards, before realising my leggings had split right up the bum. Thankfully my lovely bench coach spotted and spared me further blushes by covering me up with an ARRG hoodie. Ha!

Derby Hero:

Caitlyn for being such a powerful jammer, an incredibly encouraging coach and all-round sweetheart.

What Do you Do Outside of Derby:

Political journalist, campaigner and mentor, triathlon, theatre, red wine, blue cheese, cuddling cats.

Fun Fact About you:

Despite my love of heavy metal and rock, I secretly enjoy karaoke and singing Jolene by Dolly Parton, Heart of Glass by Blondie and Shake it Off by Taylor Swift.

This month we are looking at one of our most amazing skaters – Yin & Bang, who we affectionately call Bangers. She skates for our A team and our B team, and she is also off to Dallas in December to skate for Team Scotland in the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup!

Bangers is an incredible skater, an incredible person and an incredible friend. We all love her, and we are so proud to show her off as our skater of the month.

Home Team Affiliation: The Skatefast club

Joined ARRG in: 2010

Favourite position to play: I mostly play as a blocker, but I enjoying pivoting also.

Your Derby story: I started fresh meat with Bulletproof glass as we work together. We went along together and were addicted.

Worst Derby injury: (Touch wood) I’ve been lucky not to break anything. Although I did go to A & E when I thought I’d broken my hip. Lucky I didn’t, though the morphine was fun…

Best Derby advice: You fall, you get yourself back up. Never, ever compare yourself to anyone else around you.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories? I remember when during a Thistles skate out I tripped on thin air and did a face plant to the crowd. Skinner quickly came back and picked up my sorry ass.

Derby Hero: All the lovely arrgers are my heroes!

What do you do outside of derby: I once did a lot of karate and I love to knit. I get to save and play with puppies and kittens every single day!

Fun fact about you: I would like to join a choir.

This month we are featuring the wonderful Sharlotte Patterson!

Sharlotte joined ARRG fresh meat in 2012 and quickly proved herself a formidable force. She played for the Leithal Weapons in the 2013 home season, and showed how good her jamming skills were. She progressed up to the WFTDA reserve spot in under a year and went from strength to strength.
After a wee break, she returned and secured herself a place on the Cannon Belles.

Sharlotte is an amazing jammer, a level headed blocker and a super lovely person too! She’s also one of our new board members – and everyone is very excited about what she can bring to the league for 2015!

Home Team Affiliation: The Cherry Bombers

Joined ARRG in: March 2012

Favourite position to play: I really enjoy jamming

Your Derby story: I saw something on the internet about roller derby and decided to see if there was a league in Edinburgh. I was pregnant with my second child at this point and it wasn’t until he was about 6 months that I decided to have a go at fresh meat. I remember feeling quite anxious about going because I couldn’t skate and also I’m like the least sporty person ever. I pretty much have two left feet. After a couple of weeks I totally feel in love with skating and derby and I can’t imagine not having derby in my life. I now skate on the Belles and am a WFTDA Reserve skater. When I get the chance I also like to take part in co-ed derby.

Worst Derby injury: I think I’ve been pretty lucky and haven’t had any serious injuries (touch wood). I have lost three toenails, sadly.

Best Derby advice: I have at times felt like I needed to do it all and do it all now. I rushed myself and compared myself to others. The best advice I can give would be to never compare your skating to anyone else’s and to take things at your own pace. There’s no hurry to get anywhere. I took this advice and also took a wee break, I went away and worked on my fitness; both body and mental fitness and came back stronger and more prepared then before. I feel like I’m in a better place to play derby now and I actually have so much more fun now.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories: Um, I can’t really think of any.

Derby Hero: I don’t really have a derby hero. I’d have to say that my derby heros are my lovely family, my kids and supportive partner. Without their support I wouldn’t be able to play derby.

What do you do outside of derby: I work as a Social Worker and love my job.

Fun fact about you: I love glitter and all things sparkly.

Our featured skater for August is the incredible Admiral Attackbar.

Attack is an incredible skater. Not only is she one of the best jammers in Europe (maybe even the world!) but she is also a feared blocker and pivot too. She won the ‘Well ARRG’ award at our 2014 awards ball for her insane strength which she attributes mainly to crossfit. She’s more than a triple threat – she’s a serious force on track. Don’t just take our word for it – WFTDA have recognised her skills and awesomeness and she’s been a featured skater for them too. She’s also one of our coaches, and will be coaching at our bootcamp on the 30th August. We are well proud of her.

Home Team Affiliation:
I’m not actually affiliated with any home team at the moment. I chose to opt out of home season this year in order to focus on training for Twisted Thistles games and going to the States.

Joined ARRG in:
I started Fresh Meat in May 2011

Favourite position to play:
Jammer

Best ARRG memory:
There are so many that I couldn’t possibly pick one that stands out as the best but going to The Big O this year in Eugene, Oregon was an amazing experience. We played five really hard bouts over 5 days, which was a truly exhausting and exhilarating experience, after which I got to play against Team USA, which was also pretty cool!

Worst Derby injury:
I’ve actually never really been injured (touch wood!) but because I’m like 5ft tall I get my own fair share of hits to the face but thankfully nothing serious.

Best Derby advice:
Cross train, cross train, cross train and never compare your beginning to somebody else’s middle.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories?
When we played London Brawling at Track Queens in Berlin I got a blocking with the head penalty for falling over and accidentally putting my face in someone’s butt.

Derby Hero:
I have quite a few but at the moment basically the entire Texecutioners team from Texas Roller Girls are my current faves. What I love most about them is that they’re not a big team. Most of their skaters are really small but they are all just phenomenally good at playing together and using amazing footwork.

What do you do outside of derby:
I’m a graphic designer and I spend a lot of time at CrossFit. My other hobby is eating.

Fun facts about you:
I have a rock collection

Our featured skater for June is… LL Cool Gay #109!

Gay has been with ARRG for 3 years, and last year, moved into competitive skating. She is a great example of someone who puts their heart and soul into the league – not only does she run the ever-popular cake stall at every single home bout, but she is also a member of the Board, and a spokesperson. She’s been heavily involved in getting ARRG to where they are now, and also achieved so many personal goals – she is a shining example of what dedication and commitment can bring you, both on and off track.

Home Team Affiliation: The lovely Cherry Bombers

Joined ARRG in: May 2011

Favourite position to play: Blocker without a doubt, but really enjoy jamming!

Best ARRG memory: My first home season was the best thing to ever happen!

Worst Derby injury: Fractured tib and fib but recently suffered the trauma of losing a toe nail and I can’t say which was worse.

Best Derby advice: Don’t focus on matching up to other skaters and don’t worry about not progressing fast enough. Enjoy the journey of learning and everything will be wonderful.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories? I have been known to squeal quite a bit on track. It’s always funny and embarrassing.

Derby Hero: Anyone that doesn’t give up.

What do you do outside of derby: I lift heavy things up and put heavy things back down again.

Fun facts about you: When I drink more than one glass of wine I talk with an Irish accent.

This months featured skater is the amazing Terryfying Tink #802.

Tink transferred to ARRG 2 years ago, and is now one of our Cannon Belles. She mainly plays as a blocker, and years of helping out in NSO positions have helped her gain an amazing insight into the game. She’s really involved in the roller derby community, as a rep for UKRDA. Not only is she so much fun to skate with, her dry sense of intelligent humour makes her just fun to be around!

Home Team Affiliation: Cherry Bombers

Joined ARRG in: Nov 2012, been skating since Nov 2009

Favourite position to play: Block, block, block

Best ARRG memory: Coach Karaoke on the way back from Wakefield last year

Worst Derby injury: Ive had quite a few trophy injuries, I think I may have permanent fishnet pattern on my ass, but the worst, that actually kept me off skates, was testing a floor out when no one was around. No pads, not paying attention, I tripped myself and went down hard on my right knee. I didnt think I was going to get up again. But I did, immediately strapped my pads on and played a full bout. By the time the last whistle blew my knee was like a big purple melon. I still have a numb bit, and have to ice it pretty much after every training.

Best Derby advice: Never skate without kneepads, EVER!
EVER! EVER! Buy the best ones you can afford, then gaskets underneath.

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories? Hundreds! Mostly involving afterpartys, roadtrips and dashes across countries to play with pals 🙂

Derby Hero: Alma Geddon. I saw her play in the first bout I ever watched, when I thought I could never get to the point where I could compete. She helped me get there.

What do you do outside of derby: As a job, Im a parasite biologist, mostly malaria research at the moment. I crochet in the winter, I garden in the summer and I trawl the countryside in the interests of archaeology whenever I can.

Fun facts about you: I <3 my chainsaw! 😀

This months features skater is the wonderful POPE JOHN BRAWL!

Pope has been skating with ARRG’s Reserve team for a while now, and has recently been announced as the newest member of the All Star Twisted Thistles! This means she will be travelling to Oregon in May to take part in the Big O tournament. Whilst she is undoubtedly nervous about being the new guy skating for the A team, we know she will do us all proud.

To see why she was chosen to move up the ranks, come along to our home season FINAL where the Leithal Weapons will take on the Skatefast Club, as she is Vice Captain for the Leithals

Can she help see them to victory? Head along and see!

Home Team Affiliation:
Leithal Weapons! (formerly Skatefast Club)

Joined ARRG in:
I started Fresh Meat with ARRG in March 2012 and became a full member in June.

Favourite position to play:
Blocker. Sometimes pivot…because I talk a lot…

Best ARRG memory:
There are SO MANY. My first home season was a biggie. I wasn’t skating in the first game and watching my Fresh Meat buddies warming up to play their first public bout was really special!

Jamming lots in my second ever bout and not freaking out or dying…

Getting picked for the Twisted Thistles was both terrifying and wonderful and just makes me want to up my game so much before we go to the US. Hopefully, again, no freak outs or death…….!

Worst Derby injury:
I cracked my rib. Really, that isn’t all that bad and I’m very lucky. But not being able to skate or even exercise for 6 weeks was grim!

Best Derby advice:
Remember the good stuff you have done every practice. Challenge yourself. Tell your pals what they’ve done well. Be inspired by everyone but don’t compare yourself!!!

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories?
Being Rose to Powers’ Jack for our Leithals skate out this Home Season definitely has to be a high point of funny and embarrassing.

Generally inadvertently having the worst face paint out of anyone at any game…the photos don’t lie…

Derby Hero:
I am surrounded by lots of incredibly inspiring women who never cease to impress me on and off the track and I would like to say something gushing about them all really…

What do you do outside of derby:
I fight to save the world from evil villains and internet trolls (just not the ones I agree with, they can stay)

Fun facts about you:
I’ve got gills.
They’re multiplyin’.

March’s featured skater is… MJ!

She epitomises how hard work can pay off in Roller Derby. She joined the league’s fresh meat program in October 2012, and graduated in January 2013. She worked hard, attending practise as often as possible, and moved up the ranks into advanced skating within a few months. She was then selected as a WFTDA reserve skater, and chosen to play on the Cannon Belles; our All Star Reserve team, when we took on Amsterdam away in November 2013. All this in less than a year…

MJ is a Cherry Bomber and can be seen skating at our next game on March 8th, when the Bombers take on the Skatefast Club at Meadowbank ticket link.

Home Team Affiliation: Cherry Bombers

Joined ARRG in: October, 2012

Favourite position to play: It depends. I like to jam during games because I know what to do: get through, be clean, score points. But I like blocking a whole lot too and when I have a bad jam, I sometimes ask to go on as a blocker so I can hit people; you know, work out my anger in a healthy way.

Best ARRG memory: My first ever bout (to watch or play) was with the Cannon Belles against Helsinki in August, 2013. It was such a team-y, amazing experience and I only almost ran into the wall once! Oh, and ARRG’s 5th birthday party was pretty awesome too.

Worst Derby injury: The bruise on my thigh/hip. It has been varying shades of blue and black for quite some months now, and the nice, swollen lump there is nice too. It’s pretty, and pretty permanent; maybe I should stop falling on it…

Best Derby advice: Learn from those around you; listen to advice and if you have questions, ask; do off-skates work too; and get tactically up-to-date. Oh, and have fun!

Any funny/embarrassing derby stories? I used my face against the wall to stop myself in my grad bout from fresh meat. And I have the tendency to just fall over for no reason at all, with no one around me, often while not even moving.

Derby Hero: There are many, but most of them are in ARRG; from those who skate and are awesome, to those who do the behind the scenes work getting bouts organised, sorting training, coaching, etc. If I had to choose another team I’d admit that I quite like Atlanta’s Dirty South Derby Girls- you know, representing the South and all (insert ubiquitous, and probably inappropriate, hand signals here).

What do you do outside of derby: Loads! I work for Scottish Book Trust with Lilo and Stitches a few days a week. I work a few more for Scottish PEN, I do freelance copywriting work in the evenings and sometimes work at Edinburgh Books. I also am the managing editor for The Istanbul Review and contribute to Lunchquest by reviewing restaurants and creating the downloads when I get a spare minute.

Fun facts about you: I was taught napkin folding and how sit and walk like a ‘lady’ in school and studied rap lyrics in university, and if you catch me unawares I will likely answer with “yes/no ma’am” (drawl optional)

Decembers skater of the month is the very fabulous Caitlin O’Carroll. Caitlin’s has been skating with ARRG for a year and a half, and has made a name for herself as both a Twisted Thistle and a Cannon Belle. One of our most adaptable skaters, not only