Skater of the Month - Hubs

NAME: Hubs

NUMBER: 88

How did you get into roller derby?

I met Jules (Crown Jewels) through running a Brownie pack – and although she likes to think I never spoke to her for a whole year – it wasn’t long before she had roped me along to be an NSO at scrims, but it all looked a little too skilled for me. I had been looking for a team sport to play since leaving school (in 2006!) and when the fresh meat session came up at the start of 2012 I was again roped into trying it out…my side of the bargain was to give it a try – the skates haven’t been off my feet since!

What has been your favourite derby experience so far?

I would have to say since joining DRG I have been welcomed with open arms and feel part of a family as well as a team. I felt really blessed to be asked to be line up for the girls against ARRG, working alongside such an enthusiastic, fun loving team (and Mark) was awesome…and even more amazing to be part of that win! I cannot wait to be on the other side of that and be skating a win home for DRG…roll on 2013!

What do you do when you're not skating?

Well…good question…this was one of the reasons I was reluctant to start skating because I knew it would be another thing in my social whirlwind of a calendar! But if the skate fits… I am a Primary Teacher full time, so when I am not teaching, planning (or as many will say – on holidays!) I help run a Brownie pack weekly, run a youth group on a Sunday Morning and sometimes do voluntary work up at Teen Ranch (a Christian Youth Activity Centre just outside Dundee). When I have any other “spare time” I am a bit of a social butterfly, with 6 weddings last year and already 2 scheduled for this year coming, it looks like derby will again have to squeeze into my hectic social whirlwind!

What do you think is the most important thing for a new skater to learn?

I think patience and enjoyment are two of the biggest things. I have been very lucky in the fact that I have picked things up very quickly over the past year. People learn techniques at different times and some need more practise than others. I LOVE skating, and I never thought it would become such an important part of my life, but it’s the people that make it…make friends…be patient with your progress…encourage others along the way!

Who do you chose as next month's Skater of the Month?

(I feel like I’m giving out an Oscar!) My skater of the Month is someone who is dedicated, always up for a good laugh, and has worked hard to get where they are now. When we were training we would always be partnered up (they said because of height – but I think everyone else was scared of me!) but he gave as good a hit as he got! He reffed his first match in November and did DRG proud…it’s Graham Field!