The 411 – The latest from the 709 Derby Girls (Updated March 13)
So it has been just over a year, and you may be asking yourselves “what have our local derby girls done”?! Well, here is the 411 on our past year.
The very early months saw us transform from deer-in-headlights skaters into not so deer-in-headlights skaters! Shortly after we really got a foothold and our bearings on 8 wheels we formed two teams within our league: The Neversweets and Vader’s Vixens. Although as a league we stride for excellence together, the teams are an integral part for practicing the game of roller derby. Having the teams gives us the opportunity to play the game, work on strategy and build up our teamwork skills.
We have had some of our local gals head out of province to bring home the teachings of more experience derby masters. Needless to say we have been sweating away any old inhibitions working towards the skills required for the best derby possible. We also have new girls – YIPPEEEE! We started to hold recruitment sessions last July and have been pleased (to say the very least) with all the new derby darlings that have joined our ranks. We have a recruitment schedule in place FYI J In addition to new derby darlings we also have some testosterone thrown into the mix – our two precious refs! Yah Team Zebra!!! Our boys are the ones that really call the shots… well, that is what we are letting them think anyways *wink*
We take pride in being active members of our community and in this past year we have taken part in a variety of happenings that caught our eye. We have raised funds, raised awareness, and raised our voices, all in the good name of fairness and community. Furthermore we have done our best to reply to all the emails and inquires we have gotten – thank you for those by the way, and keep them coming!
We have held a few intimate scrimmages for friends, family and potentials, but this year we are really working on a full scale exhibition bout. What exactly does that mean? Well, that means it is A BOUT TIME!!!! This year we are feverishly working our little bruised behinds off getting things in order for our first bout. Our aim is to have 3 this season, with the first tentatively scheduled for May. Yes! This May!
With that in mind we will be continuing our fundraising efforts in order to cover costs of the bout and to keep local roller derby running. As they say, you nothing in this life is free – - but it is sure a great ride!
Keep checking the website, facebook, twitter, myspace, or wherever else you may be following us for updates and info. And as always we would love to have you be a part of the family and have lots of different opportunities from geeky stats to meticulous time keeping and everything in between, so drop us a line!
Thank you so, so much for all of your wonderful and gracious support to date. Derby Love from all of us at 709 Derby Girls.
All About Roller Derby
Roller derby is an intense, contact-rich, fast paced sport. The once popular televised sport experienced a hiatus in the 1970s, but is now in the midst of a rapidly growing resurgence. Previously played on banked tracks, the new revival is mostly flat track and skater operated. The 709 Derby Girls is Newfoundland and Labrador’s first and only roller derby league. While the team skaters are all female, the referees, announcers and other committee members are co-ed. The 709 Derby Girls is a non-profit league that offers a new and exciting sport to the St. John’s area that supports active, healthy living.
The league was established by two home-grown gals that had an itch that needed to be scratched and nothing that was already up and running could do the trick. They were looking for something that had just the right combination of athleticism, attitude, and expressive attire, but sadly it just wasn’t out there. Instead of sitting on their hands (risking the manicure), these go-getters decided they would call out to the other ladies of St. John’s and hope for a response. And what a response was received! Some preliminary research was completed, a Facebook group started and a couple of general interest meetings undergone, December 2009 the league was established. With some additional hard behind the scenes work and a great deal organization, January 13, 2010 was the first official practice for the 709 Derby Girls!
The derby darlings of the 709 Derby Girls are in the works of honing their speed skating skills and will be ready to duke it out on the track soon. Like a sniper, they have their sights set on providing a tasty mixture of scrimmage and style – something for the guy and gal of today’s local scene. These savvy skaters are more than just sugar and spice; they are speed and skill. Once these ladies lace up to lash out it will surely leave the audience panting for more, more, more!
Currently the league consists of 19 skaters not including referees. The plan is to bring this group up to par on skating skills and roller derby rules and then reopen registration for new members, A.K.A. “The Second Wave”, and pass on the teachings. We believe that the 709 Derby Girls fills a gap in the current options that adult females have to fulfill fitness and socialization needs as it serves as a place to be active, expressive, and belong to a team, all the while fostering positive attitudes and healthy living. The members of the league at present are as diverse as snowflakes, and that is just a small portion of the beauty of the 709 Derby Girls.
Learn more about Roller Derby from the links below:
