Season 6, Memphis Roller Derby! Here we go!

It's bout time again!  January is also a recruitment month for fresh meat skaters, refs, volunteers, and NSO's.  Check out the season schedule and information regarding recruitment at Memphis Roller Derby.com.  I am working the first bout, and may be skating the bout on the 28th depending on how my foot is holding up. 

If I didn't mention it, the past few months have been tough.  At some point in September, I injured my left foot.  Despite an x-ray, the doctor cannot seem to figure out what is wrong with it.  I took seven weeks off and wore a boot, but it still gives me pain.  We start back to practice next week, and if I skate and it doesn't give me pain, I will continue, if it gives me pain again, I may consider retiring from skating, yet continue to work in a volunteer capacity as a non-skating official, referee, and continue to work on getting the junior league up and running.  

Wish me luck and as always, thank you for reading.

Memphis JUNIOR Roller Derby ~ A long time coming

A junior roller derby league in Memphis?  Yes, correct!  This is a project that many derby girls in Memphis, and many future derby girls are looking forward to.  A few months ago, I was given the go ahead to begin researching the best way to bring a junior derby league to Memphis.  At the time, the greatest challenge the junior league faced was a stipulation that there is no available funding...however, there is rental space available on Wednesday nights to the junior league if we can recruit enough people!  This is exciting news...

After researching the standard for the majority of other junior leagues around the United States, it seems the junior leagues are separate non-profits who work in collaboration with their parent leagues, therefore, financial problems solved!

The opportunity to be a separate non-profit affords the junior league the possibility of not only applying dues to venue space via rental through their parent league (my league Memphis Roller Derby), it also provides the opportunity to raise funds for their uniforms, equipment, and an provide low-income children to participate through a sliding scale dues program.  The possibilities are endless to involve local community centers, skate shops, and perhaps the new KROC recreation center which is under construction right now.

Here is a link to the Memphis Junior Roller Derby Facebook page, please "like" it and share if you know someone who may be interested in volunteering their time or a child who may be interested in skating
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Memphis-Junior-Roller-Derby/307102895981923

Here is a link to our Twitter page:
https://twitter.com/#!/MJrRollerDerby

Please follow, like, tweet, retweet!

 

Banked Track Action Live on JustinTV, Tonight (11.18) & Saturday (11.19)

Some great derby action LIVE on JustinTV~ just click on the link and tune in.  Next up is Los Angeles Derby Dolls versus Chicago's Windy City Rollers.

Roller Derby LIVE Feed

Updates...

There is little time to blog regularly, however, I will try to more often now that I am on leave for eight weeks.  In this post;

• PrissKillas go to the Championships!
• PrissKillas vs River Valley Roller Girls - 10/22
• PrissKillas get two newbies
• Race for Grace
• Tobey Skate Park Opening
• Ho!Ho!Ho! Burlesque Show
• St. Jude Marathon

September 10, 2011:

The PrissKillas first time for a shot at the championships.  The PrissKillas lost this game, 74/224.  The game was fun, despite the new strategies used by the Women of Mass Destruction, the PrissKillas managed to eek out 74 points ;).  Here is the program roster from that game, however, I was not included in the program, which makes me kind of sad, given I am an original founder of the league, and the PrissKillas.  Despite the glaring mistake...I forgive the powers that be...it was exciting to go to the championships.

PrissKilla Game Roster actually include:

Courtney Ratts - Captain

Olga Von Detta - Co-Captain

Smackie Chan

Blown Fuse

Anne Tag a Knee

Midnight Choker

Lucifer's Nightmare

Heavy Duty

Susan 4 a Bruisin

Dirty Constance

Hitsy Bitsy

October 22, 2011:

The PrissKillas traveled to Ft. Smith, Arkansas to bout the River Valley Roller Girls.  It was a fun trip, and although we lost, we had a great time.  Here are a few pictures:

Hitsy Bitsy, Gimmemo, Lyndalicious

Nancy Dockery, Hood Ratt, Anne Tag a Knee

Cleveland and Gimmemo

The final score was 154/79 or something in that range!

The PKP roster:

Courtney Ratts - Captain

Olga Von Detta - Co-Captain

Lyndalicious

Chica Bandita

La Sucia

Dirty Constance

Anne Tag a Knee

Heavy Duty

Midnight Choker

Honey Badger - Newbie

Cy D. Fect - Newbie

Hitsy Bitsy

Here is the program, but it seems the skater roster isn't accurate, but that's derby for you.

On to our Newbies!  PrissKillas welcome Cy. D. Fect and Honey Badger, both girls played an extraordinary game for their first time out.  It was amazing to watch their transformation from the beginning of the game to the end of the game.  Amazing.

November 5, 2011:

Memphis Roller Derby participated in a fundraiser Race for Grace for the Church Health Center of Memphis.  The race organizers permitted the derby girls to skate the race, and there was a phenomenal turn out which raised a lot of money for the Church Health Center.

From L to R (top row) Joy D'Vicious, *cannot be named*, Missy, Dirty Constance, Hitsy Bitsy, La Sucia, Terra Torture
From L to R (bottom row) Franny Pack, Pain Dilla, Cy D. Fect, Midtown Mauhler, Lil' Cinner, Honey Badger, Wolf Blitzer, Brains n' Booty

although I look hideously overweight, you can find race photos here.

November 9, 2011:

Official opening of Tobey Skate Park ~ Memphis' first skate park with nearly five years of work by local Dr. and skater, Dr. Aaron Shafer.  The skate park was designed by Wormhoudt, and is a complete success. 

Those are a lot of happy skaters.  I am the girl in black with arms raised in a V. ;)  V = Victory for Memphis progressing.

Moving on...

Upcoming events:  Ho!Ho!Ho! Burlesque show

The burlesque show is an annual even for Memphis Roller Derby and is held at the Hi-Tone.  In previous years it features skaters burlesque routines, although somewhat more tame than than general burlesque shows ;).  

December 3, 2011:

Last, but not least, Memphis Roller Derby is participating in the St. Jude Marathon, both as runners and the league has a spirit station located near Black Lodge Video in Midtown.  If you are a runner and would like to participate for a good cause, please visit St. Jude Marathon website for details.

I think I covered everything...

Support your local roller derby!  Skate or die.

Race for Grace ~ Memphis Roller Derby supports the Church Health Center of Memphis

This Saturday, Memphis Roller Derby is Racing for Grace in support of a local organization that provides affordable health care to those who are without.  The Church Health Center is a non-profit organization that has a walk-in clinic everyday, and charges only $35 per visit, regardless of treatment required.  They also have an orientation in which one may attend, and become a part of the health centers regular program that provides both medical and dental at a sliding scale rate.  For those in our community that cannot afford major health care, this organization is a blessing.  If you would like to join the Race for Grace you can register here.

WREG, a long-time supporter of Memphis Roller Derby took the time to help promote this event, please join this great cause.

Enjoy the video!
Race for Grace Skaters! via WREG Live at 9

Atom Protective Gear

I am really excited about these!  Actually, waiting desperately for these pads to emerge.  I have tried so many skate pads, most of which are extremely bulky, slip, not geared for roller derby at all.  They are somewhat pricey, but it may be they use Kevlar.  Regardless, I will be purchasing and reviewing these asap!  Thank you Atomatrix for designing a pad made for women playing this sport...and although, I am an advocate of a good jam is when you don't fall down, I am curious how these pads stand up to a brutal beating of knock downs.  Time will tell!  If you are interested in purchasing them, they are sold through local retailers, although, the last time I tried, the Atom website did not have a purchase key.  For those who live in Memphis, try http://www.bluescityskates.com

WFTDA Live regional and national tournaments

The Woman's Flat Track Derby Association now has the capability to broadcast live derby via your PC or smart phone!! Very exciting for the derby world. If you want to watch the final day of the South Central Regionals catch it live on http://www.wftda.com