1. Fitness. We all eat one too many pies – and are all guilty of skipping out on the gym (every day) and so why would you not want to lose weight, tone those muscles, find that core … potentially even find those muscles you weren’t even sure you had!! And Derby is all about pushing yourself and, if like me… picking yourself up off the floor, numerous amounts of time in a 2 hour session really gets those muscles aching. With the usual planking regime and A+ core exercises that have been provided by members of the league, it is always exercise time … in a fun way!! Sometimes it’s surprising just how much exercise you’ve done without realising it … until the next day of course when you wake up and can’t move any of your body from the neck down!

2. Extra-curricular activity. It’s always good to have something to do – whether it’s going to the gym, tennis, badminton (urrrgh) etc etc … well it’s always good to have a ‘release’ and something to look forward to. For me, Derby is exactly this. My reward at the end of a long day – where you leave your day behind and get totally lost in the moment.

3. Being the person you want to be. Whether it’s on the track, in a bout or simply at training. It’s a chance to really be who you want to be, for some that’s wearing a cape whilst whizzing round the track, for other’s about jumping extraordinary distances that cannot be measured by us mere mortals, or just simply wanting to be the big mouth as that’s not normally who you are *shy’s away knowing everyone knows I am most certainly NOT talking about myself on this last one!!*

4. People skills. All of us occasionally struggle with our communication skills … which is something that Derby will knock right into you!! Communication is essential not only on the track but off the track too. And definitely pushes you to work on communication effectively with a wide range of people you may not normally come into contact with.

5. Pride. I have never had a prouder moment than when the final whistle went on S.W.A.T’s debut bout. Yes we had won (which obviously was an incredible rush) … but the sea of shiny purple hynies that piled in for a mass hug at the end was a feeling that I’ve never experienced. I was proud of everyone who had helped, played, been there at training or were involved in any way. We were a team, and one I was as proud as punch to be a part of.

6. Friends that become family. As many of you know that there is a tradition among many Derby girls of Derby marriages. Last December I was fortunate enough to have the pleasure … nay privilege, of marrying my Derby Wife. And after a long and happy two and a half months we decided to adopt a Derby daughter. I know that without a doubt they have my back both on and off the track (normally because it’s them plotting against me) But without them … I’d be truly lost.

7. Groping. This is just an added bonus. On many occasions there will be ‘incidents’ in which the front area is attacked and used like a climbing wall … this is either optional or ‘accidental’ … but all perks of the game! *looks at certain members of the team casually knowing they are very aware of who they are*

8. Merchandise. Because everyone wants to buy kickass tee shirts

9. Road trips. Going to watch other teams and look for tactics, scope the opposition and learn as much as you can is a large part of Derby and so road trips are essential. The best way of doing this is to car share and eat plenty of sweets to keep you going on the long journey.

10. Camaraderie. Because we’re all frickin’ awesome and support one another. Whether it’s shouting (or chasing with track pieces in recent events!!) for people in support to get them through their dreaded 25 in 5. Letting someone know you’re thinking of them after a bad day. All I can say is it really is frickin Ace! Being surrounded by THE most amazing people I’ve ever had the pleasure to come across. So get your butt off the sofa. Put down the biscuits … and come down for some skating goodness. Guaranteed you will fall in love with not only the sport … but the people too.

Love a very ‘cheesy’ and sentimental S.Mouse xx

So, it has been a while since I last wrote a blog (not long enough I hear some of you cry!) But think that with the inevitable post Christmas slump and New Year blues present that this couldn’t come at a better time. So over my last few blogs they have been from “Why roller derby is so great” to “Go team Go” all to hopefully bring the Derby world together and take even if just one thing positive or at least thought provoking idea from what has been read (Yes … it is a massive shock that S.Mousey can actually do serious … sort of!!) And I hope that only positives and a sense of belonging can be taken from this.

Now I started Roller Derby at a really pivotal moment in my life, I needed direction and focus and something to aspire too. Something which would get me out of my slump and back to feeling me again. Turns our projectile vomming in a pub and on your favourite misfits tee is a wakeup call to sort it out!! So when I walked in to my first training session I was very wary, there was the athlete super skaters to the typical over tattooed fishnet wannabes.. and then the group in the middle. The “holy shit balls I can’t even stand” group … I knew which one I belonged in!! … and you’re right … it wasn’t the super skilled athlete category *Whispers you bastard at all the smirkers* I took great appreciation and comical value from probably my first few months of training and not a great deal of “This is a serious sport” … but only all too soon did my opinion change. I was currently going once a week (if the pub didn’t call to me and win against a training session that was) and didn’t really see any improvement from week one to month two. But I loved the social side and I guess at first this is what kept me going. Plus I’d brought myself a super cool helmet and turns out you don’t have much of a need for one of them in everyday life.

Now everyone always says you can’t judge a book by its cover … but we’re not Mother Bloody Theresa and we all do it. Not just from a physical aspect but you take people for face value, comments you hear said from a person, or about a person. The effort someone puts in to the task itself or in making an effort to actively communicate with people. All things we take for granted and use to base an opinion or judgement on, although know we shouldn’t. Now although I am very aware I am tarnished with the “Joker and trouble maker” brush (I have no idea why ….*looks away knowing EXACTY why*) But looking back now, it wasn’t really a surprise that I didn’t improve or make the bonds with people when I didn’t take it seriously or think about the impact of my actions … or lack of in this case.

Being Bambi on ice was funny for the most part and through the social side helped me to make some friendships. So with this new ‘want’ to bring the social and skate together, it seemed like a great idea to arrange a skate down to The Quay. So there I was, sat on the wall, knee pads on, skates laced and my high tops ready as backup plan tied together and hanging around my neck. The group arrived and off we went. In my head I had envisioned this great moment of all skating and laughing together … in reality I shit my pants as there was no walls to fly into to stop me (something my lack of experience and training had yet to teach me … stopping) giant dogs running around and of course an audience of about 10 who due to my lack of errrrm skating ability got the wrong impression that I wasn’t willing to put effort in. Something not helped by the fact I gave up, put my shoes on and walked to the pub whilst they skated on! However shortly back in my comfort zone (and off skates) sat in the beer garden with the other skaters, I could really see this was a great bunch of girls and started to think about how I could start to be a part of this?

By now I had been “a part” of the league for around 3 months or so and the girls were due for their first official bout against SRT and due to my errrr … mouthyness I was asked to MC for the bout. Although I had no clue what exactly this entailed … I accepted as thought this would be my ticket into making a better impression. On the day, there I was … stood dressed in a top hat and tails, red lapels with gold trim and next to LRG’s Vigour Mortis, who towered over me in her beautiful heels and white wig. Still not really knowing what the frick was going on I took the time to see how much effort had been put in behind the scenes. From ticket sales, to finding a suitable venue to making cakes for the cake stall. All parts I had no idea about and was blissfully unaware required effort. Watching the girls from the side I started to look at it in a very different light. Why had I not known about all this? Through my own ignorance had I missed vital parts of helping to become a part of the team, through thinking it was all about socialising and making friends? As the day went on I had spoken to more of the skaters in one day than over the course of the last 3 months, because although I was not at that point a strong enough skater to bout I had actively participated in being part of the team.  As if by magic a light switched on and the derby bug had started to take its toll on me.

With this new sense of worth and want to be a part of this I made the effort to come to every session I could make. And choosing to train over going to the pub (turns out derby is pretty social and you can do both and not have to substitute one for the other!) I started to see an actual improvement. I could actually stand on wheels! And with the more sessions I came to the more people I spoke to and started to make some really good friendships. The better I got, the stronger the want became to make training sessions. All this time I had spent thinking that by coming to a session here and there would be enough, I had missed out on becoming a part of; in my eyes, a sport that deserves recognition for what it is. I had now been skating for 6 months and asked for new skates for my birthday, which I was extremely excited about testing out at the next possible opportunity. I was on holiday for my birthday and so had to wait over a week to try on my skates which was actual torture! I was so excited – something I hadn’t been for a long time. I had genuinely missed training. I had missed the planks. The falls. The smell of sweaty pads (sort of) but most of all the amazing people I had started to become friends with.

So with my new skates on and a VERY wobbly start I made the conscious effort to make all sessions and with that I felt a confidence in myself. I started to see an improvement in my attitude and in my ability to skate (which certainly hadn’t been there before) I felt amazing! All because I had put in a 100%, something which evidently I had taken for granted. I soon realised that you gained equally as much respect for how much you tried as you did for actual ability. So yes, although I wasn’t the strongest of skaters, my want to become better and the fact I put everything into it became my ticket into being part of the team.

I had a conversation with my friend the other day and said to her “Looking back on the past year of my life, I can’t actually believe how much has changed” … and I can honestly say that Roller Derby has made this happen. I would be lost without it. Without every wheel shape bruise, without smelly wrist rot from my pads (yep … we all get it) without every joke or laugh or cheeky look. I can’t even imagine what the last year would have been like without Roller derby. And if you’re reading this and thinking it’s all just a load of tripe to fill up a space on the website … well you’re not completely wrong! But it is a plea. A plea to each and every one of you to take the time and make the effort to fall completely in love with Derby like I have. Because each and everyone makes a difference. Not just to the running of the league, but also to each person’s experience.

And I am fully aware this pure gold extra mature cheddar is wafting through to you with every word that I write!! But do you know what? Sometimes it needs to be made known just how bloody fantastic something is. And Roller Derby … scrap that, how bloody fantastic S.W.A.T. is! This is easily the single biggest achievement in my life. And without each and every one of you it wouldn’t have been as epic as it has been. So thank you. Thank you for memories. The tears and tantrums *ignores the ability meltdown I had once upon a training session ago where I may or may not have thrown my helmet in a ‘slight’ strop along with mouth guard lob, which nearly hit the Wife!* BUT … that all being said, I would happily bet a pair of scabs knee pads that when you put in 100% effort into training, that you too will see how incredible your Derby experience can be.

Lots of love S.Mouse xxx

Bouts to date 2 <– my biggest achievement yet!

Happy (albeit extremely late) New Year!! I hope that everyone started their new year with a new and positive look for the things to come … (yeah – me neither). However with this being said, things are already looking positive for the S.W.A.T. ladies. 

As part of a funding scheme, Waitrose each month are giving away a share of £1,000 to 3 organisations. So how does it work? I hear all you all ask, well there are 3 boxes; (one for each organisation) which have an A4 sheet of paper explaining and outlining what they do and what they would use the money to help with. When a customer makes a transaction they are given a green token, these little magic emerald nuggets are then placed in the box they feel is most deserving of the funding. Dependant on the percentage of tokens between the boxes will depend on how much of a share you will receive… therefore in essence … we need some bloody tokens!! So please help us by choosing to place your token in our box so we have the best chance possible. As another supermarket would say… ‘Every little helps!! 

The Waitrose store inExeter, along Heavitree road is the store where our box will lie and so please please please start shopping there!! It only has to be for February, but will give us the best chance possible of winning a nice chunk of the money, which will help us to raise our profile and in turn help the league in the long run. 

On another note we have started the year on another positive with our first roller disco being successful and raising over £900.00 from the event. It was a massive group effort and thanks to all those who were involved either before the day or on the day. From skateMarshalls, to skate hire everybody played a part in the success and we hope for another within the year so we can all put our glad rags and moustaches on again! 

Lastly, as many of you know. I am not a fan of the New Year and all its prosperous things to bring ethos (definitely a glass half empty kind of gal!) But with all this being said, this year is already starting out as a better year. And that’s down to each and every one of you. For every laugh or accidental grope we share (No need to mention names … we all know!) It makes this year already better than last. So thank you to every one of you – and I hope you all continue to share these times and moments. And of course … kick some majorDerbybutt over the next year!! 

Love today … and I suppose always! 

S.Mousey xxx

So Christmas is looming and we all hope over Christmas, that without training, it’s only the goose that’s getting fat!! This year has certainly had its up’s and downs, but am glad to say that S.W.A.T are ending the year on a high.

Starting out the year as fresh meat it was a hope that not only would I learn a new and exciting sport, but that a new group of friends would follow. How wrong was I!! And when I say this, I think we can all agree that we have all gained more than just a new friends group. Yes yes, this is pure cheddar at its finest. But I can honestly say that each and everyone on the team has made my Derby experience what it is. Team mates both on and off the track, each person bringing a memory that makes a training session what it is. From bullet proof tit plates, to rolling boot camps, to awkward falls that end in every one wincing and holding their girl bits in sympathy pain. But we are all there to help them dust off the hot pants and get back up again.

I would also like to say a massive thank you to everyone that has helped with the success of our league. I would like to say thank you to our head coaches Insane Bolt and Dot Slash for their relentless effort and hard work. Going over tactics to teach us and make us smarts!! To the assistant coaches Nurse A. Grudge and Ramona Devours for helping with training and putting a smile back on the coaches faces! To Marty McFlyer, for his extreme patience (mainly with me) and his help on the logo and Website. To the Mums and Dads who cheered us on and support us day in and day out, even when we bring our rancid smelling pads home after they’ve been left in the car for 3 days (sorry mum) To our friends who come with banners and cheered us on, your support means more to all of us and made our winning day even more perfect.

I hope everyone has a brilliant Christmas, stay safe when the snow comes (we’re all wishing it to come … who doesn’t want snow days?!) Eat plenty of turkey … (not too many sprouts) and look forward to seeing you all bright eyed and bushy tailed (I’d better catch me a squirrel if that’s what I’m hoping for!) Have a great time with family and friends. And look forward to seeing you all in 2012 … which I take this opportunity to say I feel will be an even better year for S.W.A.T

Much love folks

S.Mousey xx

The whistle blew and as I looked at the score board it flashed: South West Angels of Terror 167 – Bristol Harbour Harlots 107. Every blister, every sweaty elbow pad to the face, and every 30 minute endurance drill (aka 30 minutes of doom) had all been worth it. The hard work had paid off and the celebrations started straight away. The floor became a sea of piled up purple hot pants with twiglet legs waving around. It was not only the win that we wanted, but the win we deserved.

This was our first bout since the rebrand and what a game it was! It would be a lie to say that people weren’t nervous but the conversation quietly flowed over the pre-game satsumas. With the unveiling of S.W.A.T.’s flag (shortly to be flung off its pole in a victory wave from the Coach/El Capitano) we were all excitedly nervous. This was our first game as S.W.A.T. and our first chance to show exactly what we had been doing over the last six months. After both teams warmed up and the benches had been allocated, we were ready for the skate out. The audience was fully loaded for some derby action with their recently purchased merch, S.W.A.T. banners and even the odd set of foam arms! Camera flashes were going off everywhere, and the shit just got realz yo! I remembered saying “Can you believe we have 7 weeks until the bout?!” to the Wife, and then BOOOOM, all of a sudden it was here. I’d played my first bout the week before in a mixed scrimmage but this meant more than anything I had ever done before. My mind flashed back to six months before the bout when I had one hellish horizontal skating technique. I remembered looking up at the bright sports hall lights whilst flat on my back thinking there is no way I will ever be able to roll my arse around this track let alone skate on it! But here I was, about to play in S.W.A.T.’s inaugural bout, and the feeling was unreal.

With S.W.A.T. clad in green/purple and BHH in navy/red the first line up was ready and the competition was looking fierce; in fact I’d say rather confident. However S.W.A.T. immediately took lead jammer status and scored points to put us ahead whilst dishing out hits S.W.A.T. style. After the first few jams S.W.A.T. were 20 points ahead and looking strong, skating together as a team, showing we had our shit locked down (whilst avoiding the unlawful killing of unicorns due to abandonment of the inside line!). We were clearly on top form from the outset. It was no easy feat though; BHH dished out some massive hits and took the opportunity for some show boating amongst the derby carnage. By the end of the first half S.W.A.T. were still very much in the lead but BHH had stepped up their game and were becoming more aware of our tactics. However the second half brought a few more tactics and a power jam situation with only two BHH blockers on track so it’s safe to say Bristol didn’t know what had hit them… possibly more apt to say we were ‘snaking’ them! Another power jam down and our resident star and claim to fame called off her jam with a call of ‘BOOOM’ (minus the defiant middle finger – it was a family show after all folks!). Captain Solomon seemed to be unstoppable even after numerous power jams. Defeat seemed imminent for BHH and the game got a bit elbow-y; with proof only too visible on the Captain’s chin. But hey, we all love a derby scar!!

Looking at the clock with less than three minutes to go we were ahead by 50 points. A further 10 points in the last jam left S.W.A.T. victorious. Screams filled the air from this group of sweaty woman in tight shorts, but the victory hugs were even tighter. With a lap around the track, spirits were so high even the flag wrenched itself from its pole! There have been many changes since S.W.A.T. came to be. A new team dynamic. A new league structure. A change in training ethos and method. A new take on how roller derby should be played to be successful. And I challenge anyone to say that the hard work wasn’t worth it. It’s one thing to win a bout, but we can all be proud that we won it with a clean and clever game. If this much can be accomplished in six months, it literally gives me shivers to think what can be accomplished in the next six months.

South West Angels of Terror… here to dominate the South West!!

Definition of team: A team comprises a group of people linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks. A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize his/her strengths and minimize his/her weaknesses. Team members need to learn how to help one another, help other team members realize their true potential, and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond their limitations.

With our impending bout I thought it was only apt to blog about the importance of working as a team. A team that train’s together … stays and plays’s together … something like that anyway! Knowing what your fellow team member’s capabilities are should not be taken for granted. Whether it’s down to strength, speed potentially even down to height you can sometimes predict what’s coming next. This was something I struggled with when playing in a mixed scrimmage last weekend. Fluidity of a team is essential and with practice this comes a lot easier. Being a tight unit and working as one makes you stronger and less of a target than one. The phrase “You’re only as strong as your weakest player” has never been more appropriate.

My fears fortunately this weekend didn’t become reality. You know, the one’s where the whistle blows as your on the pivot line and you take down your entire team like dominoes and the opposing jammer makes it round to score maximum point’s for the win (yeah … I hadn’t thought about it much either!!) But once we had got into the swing of things and worked together it was a much easier task. Unfortunately a little too late; as we lost … however if we had communicated from the start I feel this may have given us a stronger foundation and potentially could have helped to win.

With all this being said and the usual team pep talk hindering in between the lines of this blog, effectively I am saying that we all need to put 100% in. You are only as strong as your weakest player, but if that player is willing to put 100% in … well that’s a lot to work with. So S.W.A.T ladies I say to you. Train hard, play harder. Enjoy every minute with your team and make every second count. We can do this together, but not alone. Good luck S.W.A.T  … you’ll make the South West Proud no matter what

Xx

Over the past few months S.W.A.T. has undergone a massive structure change. This included a complete rebrand, an all new colour scheme (banishing all shades of pink – blurgh), and a new committee. The league is now run by the skaters for the skaters and it’s fair to say a whole new family has been created. This is a family that you have chosen to be part of rather than been born into, and this derby family has an all new way of living. 

Best described as a dysfunctional Waltons family (move over Mary-Ellen), your new derby family is made up of some traditional family roles: 

The Wife. A role known famously throughout the derby world (and the only place you can get away with being a bigamist). The one person who is not necessarily your best friend on (or even off) the track, but you know she has your back. Someone who will argue your case and back you up until she’s blue in the face… although she knows how ridiculous and wrong you are! Your wife will not squirm when picking up your gum shield if you’ve dropped it, nor is she fazed by you pulling out your sweaty wedgie after a hard training sesh! The Wife – an essential derby must have. 

The Weird Aunt. We all have one, you know – the slightly mad one that sits in the corner at parties and laughs at the plants and turns up dressed for Halloween to event’s in their stripy trousers… yeah that one! But without her you know your derby experience just wouldn’t be the same. With a sweaty hug and the occasional inappropriate (but secretly wanted) bum slap you know that on the track her skills will be there for you and she’ll have your back. 

The Annoying Sister. I envisage everyone panicking now “Oh God, is that me?!”… Well ask yourself this – are you the one who manages, no matter how hard you try, to trip, stumble and knock everyone down? Maybe you’re the one who for ‘jokes’ throws your teammates belongings across the hall? The one who writes ‘Fanny’ or ‘Poo’ in the dirt on your teammate’s car? Or the one who draws moustaches on their head shots?… Well then yes! That is you!! 

The Mum. We all love them. We all have one. And without her we don’t feel complete. She offers to take your pads home to wash them because they’re so unbearably smelly that handling them herself is better than getting knocked out by the whiff when you whizz by on the track. The Mum who forgets the tactics because she is too busy apologising for knocking you over when manning on! The one who will always be dishing out the hugs and sympathy over every little blister or gigantic bruise. 

The list is endless and I’m sure you can relate to most, if not all, of these roles yourself. We all know one, in some cases maybe we are one. But the deal with your derby family is they will be there. To help you through the sessions when your feet have decided that they are numb from the ankle down. The days when you’re way too hormonal and even a fly is enough to set you off because it was looking at you wrong. Your derby family. The ever growing and painfully accurate story of how you became a part of something amazing. We have each other’s backs both on and off the track. S.W.A.T Roller Derby - The real dysfunctional Walton’s family you couldn’t live without!

xxx

With master plans of taking over dominating the South West. Our wicked plans started with a fantastic mixed scrimmage on the 12.11.2011 A good turn out of mixed abilities. From the newly Minimum skills passed to the one’s with fake hips (you know who you are … no need to name names …!!) The collective was split in half and sorted into a Black team and a White team.

With a hearty (sweat fest) warm up from our local claim to fame, Dot Slash taking the warm up. We showed the other’s how we warm up S.W.A.T style! With numerous knee drops, derby stops and changing speed between pace and sprint … most looked as if they had already done a 2 hour training session before we started.

Deciding rotations and working out what each other’s strength’s and weaknesses were, the day started as it meant to go on… with a mass derby girl pile up on the inside line and a cheeky jump of apex over the dog pile by a member of SRT. The day was already looking promising! Fast paced and action packed as always, a few on lookers looked rather intrigued … One innocent bystander was over heard saying “What on earth … that girl on skates just hit into another girl on skates … That can’t be safe?!”

Half time was called and there was noOrangesgiven out at this party, none other than the Exeter Red Bull representatives had come to offer refreshments and a little boost for those playing. With cheesy smiles and snap happy skater’s the girls got amongst the sweat and Velcro to be good sports and have their photo’s taken with us. (And to put all us sweating beauties to shame with their golden tan’s and perfectly styled hair may I add!!)

Second half of the day started with more moves of glory and a team mix up. All in number order and split down the middle we all re grouped and started again. With some fantastic power jams from coach Insane Bolt the White’s were looking set on winning … and so they did! Using new to be tested tactics which proved very successful the day was then at it’s end. With a massive thanks to the ref’s for  their hard work, and a best moment going to Gaylord Blocker & Kathleen Hamma taking a prize for best moment of the day. The day ended with a drink or two at the local as after all, we all know our drinking team’s have a Derby problem!!!

It started from looking on my works notice board … “Are you Derby enough?” … After watching Whip It I had considered the possibility of Roller Derby. Not knowing if this was just some crazy American sport, I was more than over-excited to see the ad. I could actually get the chance to put a pair of skates on and playDerby. Or “Beat the living shit out of people on skates” – as quoted by a friend of mine who still hasn’t grasped the concept of what we actually do!

Little did I know, just like many other’s, that the Derby bug would hit me so quickly. More infectious than MRSA in a hospital, I was addicted after the first session! I’d borrowed a pair of Rio Roller’s … (we’ve all done it, come on!) And my initial attempt of standing up at the side of the sport’s hall almost immediately resulted with a fall (I truly started as I meant to go on!) Clinging to the wall I attempted the awkward rumba on skates around the side of the hall! Equipped with a skating technique similar to someone who has just undergone a recent hip replacement, I was off! But already hooked like so many others.

Although initially run by an evil DICtator, skating was fun and to be fair I couldn’t imagine stopping but I had no idea what was just around the corner and what a “real” team actually looked like. The best was most certainly yet to come! After much deliberation and an “agreed change in management” the evil tyranny was over and free to be run by the league for the league. And that is where it really began …

With a new structure, bonds and friendships grew. It became a way of life, something that only a Derby girl can understand! Some would say a second job! Spending more time with team mates than your family and banter higher than Simon Cowell’s trouser’s – I’d never felt more a part of a team! Realising that yes, a group of hormonal woman combined with short shorts, anger issues and the occasional set of drawn on eyebrows could be somewhat feisty ….. But there was nowhere I’d rather be than on the track!

Skating hasn’t come easy to me; and to all my team mates reading this part and smirking … screw you! But armed with a new pair of Reidell’s and some b.e.a.uuutiful leopard print Scabs, I felt like serious business … My feet however did take some serious convincing as they put up quite a fight initially. With Compede blister pads at hand and Vaseline smothered on to help with the sticking, I started making a start on callusing my feet nicely!

All that stood in my way of official derby girl status…. the dreaded 25 in 5!! Dun dun duuuuuhhh!! After a few attempts (six to be exact!), I finally skated through the burn and completed the laps …. I don’t know if I’d skipped lunch that day and felt a bit lighter … or if there was something in the water … but I did it! And as I slid to the floor on lap 25 hearing the whistle blow I felt …. Fucking knackered!! But ready to whack my gum shield in and get ready to attack … The floor! 

Training four times a week gave me muscles bigger than Arnie; well at least that’s how it felt when I caught a glimpse of my arm when stretching the day after training! I started to feel even better and could see my progression from Bambi to skater starting to take it’s place. There was no rest for the wicked and immediately the tactics started … something the earlier days hadn’t been so full of, considering a more “Off skates” approach had been taken. We were now acting like a team. Avoiding limp wrists and shit whips, we were hammering home the drills. Looking like pretty hot shit in our all new logoed tee’s, we were finally on track. *No pun intended*

The South West Angel’s or Terror … ready to start dominating the South West … well … to start off with any way!