Skater of the Month - Alix
NAME: Alix
NUMBER: 86
Why would you recommend roller derby to others?
Before I started, I thought roller derby was about girls wearing provocative clothes and bashing into each other. I am really pleased to say that I was wrong. Roller derby is a sensational sport, a real passion or hobby for most of us. There are many good things about it on different levels. It’s a contact sport that not only gives you amazing legs but also boosts your self-confidence. You are constantly learning something and improving your skills. Strategy is also a huge part of the sport; it’s not just girls hitting each other randomly on track. So it develops not only your body strength and cardio but also your brain. For many of us, roller derby is also a family and there is a real community of people from different backgrounds. It helps you to widen your horizons and discover lots of amazing people that you might not have known otherwise. Even if you have some personal problems, you always have someone that will listen to you and support you. It’s a real family. Not matter if you are skating or not, get involved! You don’t want to miss out on something extraordinary that can change your life!
What positions(s) do you play?
I’m mainly a blocker. I just love to block, and make it really hard for the jammer to go through. Since I’m quite vocal on track I’m also trying to improve my pivot skills. It’s quite hard to be pivot as it requires you to think quickly about what’s happening on track and how to react to this, and then communicate this to people. I’m also trying to have a shot as jamming, as it will hopefully give me more insight into how to block better. I think everyone should have a go at every position on track. It’s the best way to improve!
What do you do for the league besides skate?
Well I’m trying as much as possible to be a NSO (non-skating official) for the league during bouts that don’t involve the DRG. It’s the best way for me to still take part in the sport when I’m not skating but also to represent DRG at bouts. I also try to be involved as much as possible during our home bouts, so you might have seen me selling tickets or cakes! I also take part in committees (new skater, training, bouting). Taking part in committees is a crucial part of derby league life. This is vital for us to be able to skate. Without the committees, there would be no league and so no derby fun for us. It’s also a great way to be involved in your league.
What do you think is the most important thing for a new skater to learn?
Well, many things are important but the first that comes to my mind is: get involved. Do your drills at 150%, never give up and never think you can’t do it. It takes time to pass your minimum skills and this varies depending on people. Best way to learn is to get involved as a NSO, and/or help during bouts and/or go to bootcamps. You’ll meet more people, will be more confident around your fellow skaters, will learn the rules and strategy faster than someone just showing up for training. Ask and listen to the different advice that you are given. Derby is more than a sport, it’s a passion and you will always improve as long as you get involved in any possible way. Also wear your skates as much as possible!
Who do you choose as next month’s Skater of the Month?
It’s hard to say as we have many talented people in the league, from the “big girls” that taught us how to skate and hit, to my fellow skaters that started fresh meat with me but also our newer talents. But the person I’ve chosen is one that really represents the “never give up, never surrender” spirit of derby for me! I remember during fresh meat, she came and landed painfully on her back, she was shaking a lot when she got back on her skates. The first thing I thought is: “well, she clearly won’t come back”. But she did. And in the same way, she came back after her injury. For this reason, I’ve picked my dear Jenna aka Barbarolla as Skater of the Month. She represents the “if you fall, don’t give up, get back on your feet and try again” spirit. Also she is an amazing and awesome person who is always around for the league and I am proud of her for overcoming her initial fears (and totally nailing that jumping over the cones!).
