Grace Under Pressure

the feverish thoughts of an english rollergirl

[roller-boom]

When a skater tries to justify why they received a penalty

[tearobite]

Derby, we need to talk.

I hear a bunch of talk about is how inclusiveness is one of our core values.  We push forwards examples of queer and trans inclusion, accepting all body types, and of being a sport for newer athletes.  What I don’t hear a lot of is talk about racial inclusion.  I really don’t see action on that front.

There are people of color who are our teammates, officials, volunteers, and fans.  There are high profile skaters of color doing great things. That doesn’t mean we are ok though, we tend to be an extremely white group of people.  If we want to be more inclusive, we have to figure out ways to be better teammates, leaguemates, and friends.  We have to actively listen to the people of color about what’s going on, and work to reach out.  Inclusivity doesn’t happen by accident, it is a choice, a process; an active and ongoing thing.

It means having uncomfortable discussions inside of your league. It means reaching out to communities that are not part of your traditional fan base. It means listening to and standing up for your teammates if they feel hurt or offended by something, even if it means having to sanction another teammate.

Above all, it means admitting that you might not be right, and might be doing things that are racist without realizing it.  The change starts with you, but it cannot end with you.  It means you starting discussions in your own league.

Derby is such an empowering and wonderful sport.  The culture has so many great things going for it.  We can be wonderful, WONDERFUL people…  Lets keep at that; lets make sure as many people as possible feel at home and can experience what derby can offer.

Always with love,Tear o'Bite

[roller-boom]

When nothing goes right in a jam

[g-offwiththeirheads]

Fresh meat to vet

[themostradicalthing]

Some lovely things about today!

- graceunderpressure14 graced me with her old derby skates! They’re super good and I can’t wait to give them a try :D

- after introducing spoiledforchoice to Bring It On (for the first time!?) the other day, we’re now rewatching other excellent ‘99/'00 teen film But I’m a Cheerleader. With pizza. And doughnuts.

Also nice chats and some time outside. Thank you both for improving an otherwise delicate sort of day ☺️

[graceunderpressure14]

Awww I didn’t see this but you are SO welcome. Pass the derby love. And you’re doing super great. 

[graceunderpressure14]

This is the most incredible game. Loren Much and Scald Eagle are such mind-blowing jammers, and the pack work from both teams is stunning.

<3

[noxblogs]

Also, if you want to see phenomenal blockers, pay attention to Polygon and Smarty Pants on Texas.They have amazing offensive timing!

[graceunderpressure14]

Totally agree! Two phenomenal teams.

[teamdragonrollerderby]

Dragon of the Week - Flash Gorgon!

Name - Flash Gorgon

Number -  33

Home league -  London Rollergirls Recreational League

How long have you been playing derby?  Two whole years and a half.

What is your favourite position to play on track?  Blocker but I’m warming up to jamming. Future me would like to be a really good pivot.

Who are you off track? I’m a venue manager in a music, circus and theatre venue. I know where stage left is and I can listen to two conversations at once. I can always tell you how many people are in a room.

Likes -  Standard issue roller derby hobbies like cats and crafts, business orientated non-fiction, conkers, having a theme song, smoke bubbles and lasers.

Dislikes -  small round food.

Who’s your derby crush? Wowser so many. I tend to watch lanky people most so Fisti Cuffs, Kid Block, Fellow dragon Long Tall Scally.  Loren Mutch obvs.  The speed, the juking, the strength. Swoon!

Worst injury?  I broke my little toe. Who knew toes were so important to walking and balance and life? And skating.

What has been your most magical derby moment?  Playing a bout with Black Rock City Roller Girls at Burning Man was crazy and awesome. My first Sur5val with Rec was very special – I jammed against a pack of our Main League skaters and lived to tell the tale!

Random Flash Fact! I chose my own middle name when I was 8 years old. And I nearly picked Rainbow Brite. Kinda wish I had - Flash Rainbow Brite Gorgon sounds cool.

© Nikki McGlinn

© Jack C Oldridge

Main photo courtesy of our Mother and graphic design by Lil Bow Creep!

[ebruisevelt-blog]

...

Just had the revolutionary thought: what if, when people are saying nice shit to me at practice, they’re not doing it to be kind, but rather because they see some skill/ability/attitude developing that I don’t? 

[glasgowrollerderby]

“WE DESERVE TO BE HERE”

“I think today we just kind of found ourselves,and found our confidence, and really kind of believed that we belonged here. And I think hopefully we proved that we belong here at Division 1 Playoffs, and we’re just loving life.” - Mona Rampage, Bruisers Co-Captain.

Our first win at D1. <3 <3 <3

[tearobite]

B.A.D. vs Victoria

BAD doing a good job with not losing coherence even when the jammer comes in hot and hard.

[whatsyourderbyname]

Loren Mutch’s footwork breakdown.  Note how she transitions: not completely, but until she is able to set her fore toestop down.  Then she hops on her toe stops just to get out of the initial proximity of the Gotham blocker, only to scooter push around the turn.  Gotham is quick to recycle, so no time to exhale! She gets low into an aggressive counter blocking stance so that she won’t be easily tipped into turn 2 and out of bounds. 

[bootyblock]

They give you an inch, you take a fucking hemisphere.

[derbychallenge]

Some of our favourite shots from the WFTDA champs this weekend - Credit goes to © Quick N Derby

[southerneclair]

She wanted to skate late at night. “Things aren’t going well at home,” she said. So on the concrete that was still burning from the day’s excessive heat advisory, we went round and round until I made her laugh so hard she fell down. “Yeah, I’ll skate with you to help you handle the difficulties of life,” I told her. That’s a thing derby people know how to do.

[untidymarvel]

[electricle]

🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌  bless roller girls 

[mauricepoisson]

.LA RACAILLE vs BANDITAS. Arena St-Louis, MTL, Canada