Skater of the Month - Stott
NAME:
Stott/Stoxic Waste/Scare D Kat/Mary Queen of Squats/Rhi-No-Sore-Ass
NUMBER: 5
How did you get involved with roller derby?
A few years back, my oldest sister’s best friend had taken up the sport and was at our house for dinner before leaving for ‘scrims’. It wasn’t long before I tried on her skates and went along to watch this mysterious ‘scrim’ with my sister. I was only 16/17 at the time so forgot all about it until moving into Uni Halls and a new friend I made there was keen and had begun fresh meat twice before moving to Dundee. Long story cut short, my friend didn’t know where the D.I.S.C. was and I did so I agreed to take her there but I got hooked from my first skate and the rest is history…
Tell us about your derby name and number?
After spending months coming up with silly puns, I decided to go for something that was like my name, ‘Stoxic Waste’, but have recently reverted to just my surname ‘Stott’ as I really don’t answer to anything other than ‘Katie’ or ‘Stott’ on track. I tend to pick a new name for every derby top I have just for the fun. I chose the number ‘5’ as, at that time, there was not another skater in the league whose number began with ‘5’ and being slightly hard of hearing, I thought this would be helpful.
What is your skate gear of choice?
I love my sparkly silver S1 helmet and my ‘new to me’ crazy dbx skates as they both keep me safe and fit me perfectly. I wear McDavid jumpy volleyball knee pads under some scabs and due to new floors at our new training venue, I now skate with a mix of Atom Lowboy 95s and Atom BOOM X Firm wheels. The rest of my skate gear isn’t really a choice, it’s just what was cheapest at the time and does the job.
Before you discovered roller derby were you involved in any other sports/exercise, and if yes how has derby impacted on this?
I’ve chopped and changed sports throughout my life - ballet and swimming from a young age which I then swapped for gymnastics and other kinds of dancing. Since starting derby, pretty much everything else has fallen away as derby takes up so much of my time (but in a good way).
What is your position of choice?
If I’m being honest, I like all positions at different points for different reasons but if I was being pushed for an answer, I’d say I like jamming, especially at home teams games where it’s less pressure and more fun.
Which teams have you skated with?
I’ve skated with Jammin’ Dodgers, Jutes of Hazard, Bonnie Colliders, Silvery Tayzers, guest skated for The Press Gangsters and took part in a Sur5al with ‘The Zoo Creepers’ (not really an official team but I liked our name so included it).
Do you have a pre/post-bout ritual?
Slightly embarrassing, but I often do star jumps in the changing rooms/toilets by myself to try and warm me up/distract me. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why or how it started but I’ve now done it every game (bar one) since I began skating in full games and it makes me feel better if nothing else. I’m a very nervous person so I often chew a couple of herbal ‘rescue remedies’. I also spend a short time praying by myself before each game
How would you describe your derby playing style, do you have a signature move?
I don’t know if I have a style as such. I cringe watching any bout footage back so can’t say I’ve ever watched myself long enough to see if I have a style. In 3 out of my first 4 public games, I fell while jamming on the second corner and slid on my belly all the way out into the crowd on the benches, past the suicide line. I’d like to say it was some sort of ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ crowd surfing effort but in reality looked more like a fish out of water slapping about on the deck trying to grip the ground to get back up… Thankfully it hasn’t stuck as my signature move.
What is your day job? How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
I currently don’t have a day job as I’ve just graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design with an honors degree in Time Based Art & Digital Film and am away to start a Gap Year programme with Scripture Union Scotland based in the East end of Glasgow. Nonetheless, I am very aware of the difference derby has made to my life outside of training. I have grown in confidence massively since beginning derby which is down to the amazing support network from these encouraging people I’ve met. My entire body shape has changed and I managed to buy my first pair of fitting jeans a few months into fresh meat. I am also now far better at making my way through busy crowds of people.
Favourite motivational quote
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Who do you choose as next month’s Skater of the Month?
I choose Spex 11 as I think she is one of the most wonderful skaters and humans in the league. She is a phenomenal skater with so much knowledge of the game and her recent joining of the Bonnie Colliders has made Colliders games all the more fun! Spex is one of those skaters that you watch and think “thank goodness she’s on my team because I can’t even imagine receiving one of those hits…” When I first started skating and moved up to the big scary advanced girls training, Spex pretty much held my hand until I was less scared. She’s my Queen VicGoria to my Mary Queen of Squats.
