Pummela #321

I joined Auld Reekie Roller Girls in May 2011 which seems like an age ago! Every time I think back to when I first put skates on, I laugh. I couldn’t stop or turn a corner and would often hit the wall if I got too cocky and went too fast. The first time I saw a game I thought – there’s no way I could ever do that. Now I’m playing for the All Star Rookies (ASTRO) and we have a game on Saturday against Mean City! This is the first time I’ve played in public with ASTRO so I’m incredibly excited. We were talking tactics at the weekend so I feel READY!

I didn’t actually play my first game of roller derby until roughly three years after I joined ARRG. Although I’ve skated intermittently during that time, I was around enough to see the sport evolve and keep my connections within the league. By which I mean keeping in touch with friends in the league and volunteering. The beauty of being part of a roller derby community is that whether or not you can skate, there’s always a place for you. You can be involved.

I passed the minimum skills after completing the fresh meat programme the first time. It was massively exciting to move up to skate ‘with the big girls’ as we affectionately called it at the time. All this amazing stuff was happening as I ignored increasing pain in my left hip. Eventually I couldn’t ignore it and it turned out I’d significantly damaged the inside of my hip joint so I needed surgery. That was all fine and I would come back and play again when I was better.

When that time came and it was a shock. I couldn’t do what I could before and I had gained a lot of weight. There’s a rule in the roller derby community that you should never compare your progress to others. It’s sound advice but I went beyond that and compared my recovery to other people’s recovery! My confidence was low and I came close to quitting all together. I accepted that if I wanted to play, I had to work for it so I took another few months off to strengthen each bit of my body and mind that needed to be strong.  When I returned again, I struggled through the minimum skills test and eventually passed after countless attempts. When I moved to intermediate I thought ‘that’ll do’ but I then progressed to advanced training, then soon after I got selected for the All Star Reserves. When I got the email offering me a place, I may have cried a little.

After that amazing experience I’ve had some other obstacles to tackle such as depression which made playing roller derby that wee bit harder. I took another break. I take a lot of breaks but I know that’s OK. If that’s what it takes to keep me playing, that’s fine. When ARRG decided to create the ASTROs I was incredibly excited. A great opportunity arose for me and I was lucky to get a place. I feel really at home in this team and whenever I feel that I should be progressing better or faster I remind myself that I almost quit once and had I done that, I wouldn’t have proved that a big person like me could be athletic, I wouldn’t have achieved what I wanted, I wouldn’t have met so many amazing people and I wouldn’t be playing with the ASTROs on Saturday.

Pummela alongside her fellow ASTROs take on Mean City Roller Derby this Saturday. Full game details via Mean City’s Facebook page. 

2016 has been an awesomely exciting and successful year so far for the Auld Reekie Roller Girls. We’ve had record numbers of new skaters in every intake of our SkateSkills 101 Programme, record numbers of derby fans attend our home games, we launched a new travel team, our skaters, officials and refs have traveled and represented ARRG nationally and internationally and to cap it all, we’ve finished the season at 57 in the WFTDA rankings (the highest ever in our leagues history!) – and have been invited to the 2016 WFTDA D2 playoffs! So aye, it’s been a good year for ARRG so far.

Alongside the highs and successes, we’ve had our fair share of challenges and difficult calls. After a huge amount of thought and having talked it through as a team, we have had to make the unbelievably difficult decision not to accept our invitation to D2 play offs this year.

Anyone who skates, who trains tirelessly, who sacrifices and fights to be the best they can possibly be, anyone who knows and loves our sport, will understand just how difficult this decision was. Every ARRG team only ever wants to skate and compete as the very best team they can be and at this current point, due to a number of unavoidable factors we cannot field a full strength team and now is not our time to compete at play offs. We train as a team, we want to play as a team.

Now our focus is 100% on being that full strength team. Now we work towards next year, to training and preparing to ensure that when we next get the invitation to play offs, which we absolutely will do, we do so in a position to play as the team we know we can be, when we are at our full strength. We are hugely excited about the challenge and hugely excited about the potential we know we possess.

ARRG are heading for The Big O!

ARRG’s All Stars will travel to America to take on some of the most talented roller derby teams on the planet later this month.

The All Stars are currently ranked 48th in the world, are the only UK team to have secured a coveted place in the three-day Big O tournament in Oregon.

All Stars co-captain Crazylegs said the team needed to travel across the Atlantic to play top tier games, which will be among the hardest ARRG has ever played.

She said:

“We’ll be playing really experienced, well-practiced teams of a level we’ve probably not come against for a wee while.

It will be a huge test to hold our focus when things maybe don’t go our way and to keep calm and together. We’ve trained incredibly hard, developed some new approaches to our game, aiming to play smarter and consolidating key tactics. We are ready for the challenge.

We’re facing teams like original WFTDA member league Windy City from Chicago, who have been playing at the highest tournament levels since before our team existed.

Whatever happens, we’re stoked to be there and we are bringing everything we’ve got.”

The Big O tournament runs from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1.

Nearly forty teams will compete, including Team USA and six of the top ten women’s teams in the world.

Good luck pals!!

ARRG’s Big O Fixtures:

Friday 29th April 

ARRG v Windy City Rollers (Chicago) 

Saturday 30th April 

ARRG v Sacred (Sacramento) 

Sunday 30th April 

ARRG v Santa Cruz

Games can be streamed live online via: http://ecrg.com/bigo/

ARRG is 8 years old this year. That’s a long time to be playing roller derby, and we’ve had our fair share of skaters in those years! Every member of ARRG is special and important, and when people leave to go on to other things we miss them, but what we really love is watching ARRG members leave us, and continue their derby journey elsewhere. It’s really exciting and inspiring to watch our pals grow with other teams.

We wanted to celebrate their achievements – so we have an exciting new feature – ARRGlumni!

Every so often, we will publish an interview with one of our ex skaters, or ARRGlumni as we are calling them, and get their side of the story. And, who better to kick things off than the incredibly talented Lucy, ex ARRG, ex London Roller Girls, and now with Newcastle Roller Girls! She gets around.

So, we asked her a few questions…

Hey Lucy! Congratulations on becoming our very first published ARRGlumni skaters. Let’s start with a bit of background – tell us about your time with ARRG, what teams did you skate on?

I skated with the ‘Twisted Thistles’ – as the All Stars were formally known. I also skated on ye olde intraleague team ‘Celtic Chaos’.

I now skate with Newcastle Roller Girls which is a dream come true as I am a Geordie. I also spent four years with London Roller Girls, where I got to travel all over North America which was obviously pretty good!

Well, yes. It’s not bad at all! So, what’s your favourite memory from your time with ARRG….

There are so many! When we beat Glasgow for the first time that felt really special, I can still remember feeling so elated! Also – that time Andy Clockwise drove Montreal up from London in a white van and delivered them to the Jack Kane Centre in Niddrie for a school night derby bout extravaganza.

Why does ARRG hold a special place in your heart….

I joined ARRG at the very beginning (2008) when we met in Bannermans to discuss ‘what a roller derby was’. We had our first ever practice in a church hall with no pads, but a lot of full contact! From such humble beginnings I have watched and been a part of the league grow and it is an absolute testament to the DIY, Woman lead ethos at ARRG which I absolutely ADORE.

What ARRGness did you bring to your new league when you moved away?

When I captained the Ultra Violent Femmes (LRG home team) I always ensured we had a choreographed skate out, which I feel is heavily influenced by ARRG.

Ha! We do love our skate outs! What is your proudest achievement since moving away?

Playing for England and travelling North America with London Brawling.

I feel like the Jack Kane Centre will always be my spiritual home. I love everything about it and all the staff, especially Tam!

We love Tam too! So, finally, when are you coming home to ARRG??

Whenever you invite Newcastle up to skate

Well, that is something we can definitely do…. so we have!

If you want to see Lucy take on her old ARRG teammates, then head along to Meadowbank on Saturday 12th March – not only will ARRG’s All Stars be playing Newcastle, but our All Star Reserves will also be taking on Dundee on the same day! Tickets only £5 in advance here, or £8 on the door.

We’re finishing off 2015’s featured ARRG members with a special entry – the amazing brand new baby referee, Owen! Affectionately known as Beardylocks on account of his wonderfully hirsute look, he’s now a fully fledged member of our officials team, both on and off skates. 

So, even if skating doesn’t look appealing to you, but you love roller derby, there’s something for everyone! If you do think skating sounds like your cup of tea, why not try out our taster day? You don’t need your own kit or anything! The next event is on January 17th, and is only £5. Email newskaters@auldreekierollerderby.com to book your slot, and you might even meet the famous Beardylocks!

Let’s hear a bit more about his story:

Joined ARRG in: March 2015

Role in ARRG: Baby Zebra

Favourite position to officiate: Penalty Tracker/Jam Ref

Your Derby story – why are you here?:In a land before time (Inverness) I worked with a very good friend of mine who ended up as a referee through in Aberdeen, he decided to make it his life work to get me into a pair of skates. Rewinding slightly before that, I’d been involved in Roller Derby on and off since I’d lived New Zealand and got a chance to see the positive impact it can have on peoples lives and as such I wanted to become more involved and try to give back to the sport. While it took a few years from Wookies initial badgering to actually start trying to skate ( and about another 3-4 years on top of that of starting fresh meat then moving cities, lets just say I wasn’t a natural ) it’s been a great journey, with lots of opportunities to NSO and make a fool of myself in new and unexpected ways.

Best official-related advice: Try every role. Every time I’ve tried a new role it’s given me something I can take back to my preferred positions and given me a better insight of how the crew fits together and the different pressures at play.

What you do for the league aside from officiating: Sadly not much! At the time of writing I’ve just made it through Fresh Meat and am beginning to look at what I can do to help.

Any funny/embarrassing officiating stories: Nope. None. I definitely did not wipe out on the Jack Kane dead body multiple times during home team scrims

Derby Hero: I’m going to cop out of this and say I can’t name just one.  Outside of just the simple fact that anyone who gives up their time to take part be it as skaters/officials or volunteers  is awesome; I’ve also had so many great personal experiences. The number of skaters who have supported me in learning the basic skills ( in particular plough stops ), officials who have helped me when ever I’ve tried a new position ( a special mention to Jane Eerie for putting up with me decapitating her cup cake )  and just generally great people who’ve frantically directed me towards the nearest vending machine for my twice hourly caffeine fix is huge.  I do have to mention Mags though, for helping me find my ref voice ( to everyone else’s misfortune).

What do you do outside of derby: I work as a Systems Engineer so when I’m not at derby I tend to either be commuting and staring at a laptop or sitting at a desk and staring at a laptop. I also occasionally do long distance runs barefoot for charity.

Fun fact about you: I own a worrying array of stuffed and inflatable dinosaurs

Last night saw the whole league embark upon 28 York Place for our second Annual Awards Ball.

Everyone arrived to a welcome glass of Prosecco, and made their way downstairs for some food before things got underway. The ever-excellent Stephen Tawking was our compere for the evening, and he did not disappoint. The awards got under way, with a whole load of skating awards to start the night off. We took a wee break to draw the golden ticket winner – Congratulations Rich on winning that box of tape (and thank you for distributing it out to us all!) and then we drew some incredible raffle prizes, including a hoodie from Interplanetary Print Syndicate, dinner for two at Pinto, tickets for Camera Obscura, a Wikko skates voucher, a set of amazing books, a Surf Lesson, a go at Alien Rock, A Walkers Shortbread hamper and tickets to Edinburghs Hogmanay!

After some more awards were announced, we had a wee fun game, where the winners won passes for Westwoods Health Club, then we commenced the auction – some of the prizes included hand made cushion from End of Terrace Trading, Zorbing with Rolling Haggis, a pair of Wikko Skates, a Tattoo voucher from Red Hot and Blue, hair styling voucher from Miss Dixiebelle, ticket for the Silver Tour at The Scotch Whisky Experience, , a shot at Go Ape… it was incredible! So many amazing things, and we definitely want to extend a massive thank you to all the companies who donated prizes.

Then, it was time for the dancing. With a cracking DJ set from the amazing Harlot Bronte, everyone was on the floor all night until closing – and

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.

Our amazing Katy Gordon has recently co-hosted a podcast for Talk Derby To Me!

She’s chatted about everything roller derby, including our new skaters, some of our new transfers, and even managed to get her cats in.

Have a wee listen to her talk about ARRG, our home season, MRDA, British Champs, Chicks in Bowls, and Scottish Roller Derby in general.

Listen here!