Skater of the Month - Goldginger
NAME: Goldginger
NUMBER: 77
How did you get involved with roller derby?
Two ways really: Sadly I lost my Great Dane, Fastino, he was my shadow and I was devastated when we had to let him go. I found it terribly hard to go home at night to an empty house and struggled with having nothing to do with my time.
Fortunately one of my college lecturers happened to be Jules aka Crown Jewels, and she had recently posted flyers for Dundee Roller Girls Fresh Meat nights. Jules said I had what it takes to play roller derby, so I gave it a go and have never looked back. Roller derby helped me focus my attention on something new and positive while I was going through a really tough time.
Tell us about your derby name and number?
Like many people I struggled to come up with a derby name. Then, after weeks of skating around in my Goldginger t-shirt (a gift from my fiancée Mark, as I am a huge James Bond geek as well as, obviously, a redhead) it came to me in kind of a “d’oh!” moment. I chose 77 as my number because 1977 is the year I was born (yes, I'm that old!
What is your skate gear of choice?
Poison wheels, Reidell 3 skates, 187 Derby Pro pads, sisoux gum shield (red), matt-black helmet. Leggings and cut t-shirt or vests for training, knee-high black socks and black shorts for bout day, and pleated bunches for my hair. How's that?
You are known for being a gym addict – tell us about it. How has roller derby impacted on your fitness regime (and vice versa), and what kinds of off-skates training do you recommend?
Sure am!
5-6 days a week, weights and full body circuit sessions. Training this way I cover body part strength or volume weights & get my HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) in with my full body circuits. I feel stronger and faster on track, can take hits better, and feel more solid. HIIT training helps with the intensity of a jam, whether it’s 30 seconds or a full 2 minutes - I tailor my sessions to cover these types of times. I have also been doing some more plyometric work to help build my legs and core, but stick to what I do as I cover all basis throught the week. I'd recommend something similar: weights, circuits, HIIT, strength work.
What is your position of choice?
Jammer! However I'm working at becoming a blammer.
Which teams other than The Silvery Tayzers have you skated with?
Slashing Pumpkins, a cherry popper Halloween charity bout.
Team Rebel Avengers, another charity bout.
Skating with Rebel Avengers was an amazing experience as I was skating with and against skaters from GRD, ARRG, and GCRD. I was really pleased with how I skated that day, held my own, got lead jammer each time and racked up the points. Didn't do too badly blocking either.
Do you have a pre/post-bout ritual?
I'm quite quiet pre-bout, keep myself to myself, stretch, check my kit. Post-bout, once the team stuff is done, I head over to Mark and relax with him.
How would you describe your derby playing style, do you have a signature move?
I don't think I have a style, maybe I do, what do I skate like? I'm quite physical, I will take on a jammer if I can when I'm chasing her, I’m not scared of contact. I don't have a signature move... No wait I do: spontaneous falling by myself!
What is your day job? How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
Lab technician at University of Dundee. The year I started roller derby I said I was going to try as many new things as possible and I still go by that. I’m taking any opportunities thrown at me and I’m not scared to go "ya know what, let's do this." This is the reason Mark and I have decided to go travelling for a few months after our wedding in October. I am also thrilled and excited to be travelling as team physio with the Power Of Scotland men’s roller derby team to the Men’s Roller Derby World Cup (14-16 March 2014).
Favourite motivational quote?
“PMA Positive Mental Attitude” or “Everyone else is doing it so why can't I?” Hahaha is that motivational?
Who do you choose as next month’s Skater of the Month?
My choice for Skater of the Month is someone who isn't scared to get in there at scrims, she is great to train with, strong and really great at blocking, and is becoming a badass jammer too. Ladies and gentleman I give you the awesome Eleanor McCarra or as we know her, Fraggle Block.
