Pink is the Colour

Don't it feel GREAT to OFFICIATE? Aww yeah! #WFTDA #MRDA #RollerDerby

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I passed my NSO Level 2 test (at the third attempt, but we don’t need to talk about that)

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Back in the saddle

After an almost six month layoff, I returned to non-skating officiating.

I went south to Lethbridge for an open skate. They called it an invitational, but that would mean they invited certain people to play. Everyone in the officiating crew decided it’s an open skate.

I was the scoreboard operator three times and then finished the night as the penalty box manager. There were about a dozen penalties called in the last game, but I had my second ever jammer swap. It lasted eight seconds, partly because one of my stopwatches flashed 88:88, so there was about a small delay.

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Due to burnout, I didn’t go to provincials. It was on my board for the better part of a year and I decided against going.

Largely, because work came calling and I made commitments.

Mostly, because I’m broke and, again, burnout.

[nonskatingofficial]

antriebsloosigkeit replied to your post

“I suffered from burnout and took three months off to re-evaluate...”

Are you okay ?

No, I’m not okay.

There were two times during my three months away from the sport I felt like quitting. I would put roller derby on hold, wait until I moved to a larger market or back to my home province of Ontario, and return to the sport.

I felt isolated, ignored, overworked and undervalued. I was getting roles I didn’t want because I had no cache with anyone in authority and I was passed over for roles I needed for my Game History file because I wasn’t buddy-buddy with the decision-makers.

I wasn’t going to be heard, so long as I wasn’t a skater, because to that point I didn’t make a financial or physical contribution to roller derby. So, to remedy this I bought skates.

Most are convinced I’m giving up officiating for good now that I’m a player, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Our group is so small that we should learn multiple roles (1) to give new skaters opportunities to play on charter teams, and (2) open up possibilities to host scrimmages, doubleheaders, and tournaments with teams inside and outside our province.

If I bring my experience in roller derby ‘full circle’ with non-skating officiating, and then skating officiating and playing, then perhaps my opinion could count for something.

The game is in crisis. I don’t know if this fixes it, but it’s miles better than doing nothing.

[nonskatingofficial]

I suffered from burnout and took three months off to re-evaluate non-skating officiating, my budget, and my life choices.

[nonskatingofficial]

I made it on the Black Roller Derby Facebook page! 👍🏿

[nonskatingofficial]

Jam Timer: Recap

Due to my job, I’m sceptical about jam timing. Over the past three weeks, however, I learned how to be vocal and save your voice at the same time.

These are official tips, but things I found while jam timing at various events. Take it with a grain of salt, or if you found something better, stick with that.

Lozenges before, during, and after each bout keeps your voice intact.

Keeping the skaters in sight at the start of each jam. The only people who really need to hear starts or call-offs are the skaters and referees. The fans in the back row on the far scaffolding can get the picture from corresponding hand gestures (i.e. pointing at the track at the beginning of each jam)

Only blowing the whistle when two-minute jams are complete, and at half or full time.

[nonskatingofficial]

I finished my first WFTDA recognized tournament. I was scoreboard operator and was told I did a super job. My only knock was making faces on the live stream and being the laughingstock of the tournament. LOL JK

I made so many friends in Waterloo, ON, and saw a lot of great roller derby as well!

[nonskatingofficial]

My crew and I officiated the first game of Toques, and my first sanctioned bout in a year. All the preparation for scoreboard operating, including a rookie scrimmage in Calgary (revolving door of penalties) paid dividends.

We're back at again tomorrow, including the main event bout featuring city rivals! 😃

[nonskatingofficial]

I received my first good evaluation work the other day. It was for double duty as crew head NSO and penalty wrangler in three home games in the first weekend of April.

In a few weeks, I’ll have enough regulated and sanctioned games until my belt to really pursue Level 2 official status. 🙂

This is going to be a good year. 😃

[nonskatingofficial]

*Heavy breathing*

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God bless leagues that give skating and non-skating officials stipends for volunteering at their multi-day tournaments.

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"How do you practice for roller derby as a scoreboard operator?"

Note to self: I need a new laptop.

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The Best Laid Plans...

Flights are booked for two big tournaments.

Already received good evaluations in preparation for Level 2 status.

Keeping my eye on three WFTDA tournaments in Orem, UT, and Seattle, WA, and the big one in Montreal, PQ.

What do you mean there are “B” level provincial championships the week after Seattle?!

[nonskatingofficial]

Me before introducing single stopwatch and paperwork to non-skating officials working in the penalty box: This is going to be great!

Me after introducing single stopwatch and paperwork to non-skating officials working in the penalty box: This is going to be really hard.

[noxblogs]

First Derby Practice Advice | 10 Things We Wish We Knew

Are you starting roller derby? Are you nervous about your first practice and how to prepare? I recently asked #derbytwitter what they’d tell themselves if they could go back to their first practice and I was blown away by the answers! Here are some of my faves!

[nonskatingofficial]

My official shirt rides up all the time and I hate it.