DRD Spotlight - G-Wrecks
Skate name: G-Wrecks | Number: 713 | Started skating: 2015
Any advice for people thinking about getting involved with derby?
I turned up to my first session, both the taster and the new intake on my own. I didn't know anyone and I certainly didn't know how to skate!
I had to be literally held and baby-walked into the centre of the hall for the intro chat and fell at every possible moment...! Bascially you don't need to have anyone with you, or any skating experience to start up, you can literally just rock up and join the community!!
What position do you skate in?
Defense till I die mate.
Three words your team mates would describe you with?
Keenly Overly Communicate.
What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your derby time?
I was hit by a van a couple months ago directly in the eyebrow (Goodbye Eyebrow, too pure for this world) and had to take time off for brain smoosh. The “Don't call it a come-back: Gegg comes back” was the toughest time I've had. Frustrating trying to give myself enough time off skates to recover and slowly bringing myself back up to competitive level.
I couldn't have done it without the support of my league mates and my smudge-tastic new helmet to protect my wee broken nose..! And the time focusing on coaching and shouting the words “SHALL WE” and “URGENCY” almost constantly was at least not terrible.
Motivational Quote: “We dont want Russel, give us hussel” - DRD circa 2k19.
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Most embarrassing moment in derby?
Just every single time I speak is pretty horrendous. A few examples of my communication: To inspire fellow skaters: “Dig it Up” Shouting “A disaster has occurred” during an attempted star pass. Ferociously whispering “STILL” at my wall with no one, including myself, not knowing what the heck it means, “I HAVE FALLEN” or “Woopsie Doodles” after decking it, “Okily Dokily”, “Oh dear, they've fallen” *points at jammer on the floor*, and my personal favourites “HELPING” / “George is no longer helping!!” So clear. Much Communication. Wow.
How does derby impact the rest of your life?
I now have friends in Dundee so that's nice.
[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]What position do you ref in?
I've been trying to worm my way into the reffing scene, by shoving my face -scar first- into their huddles and learning from the amazing officials we have at DRD. I've OPR'ed and Jam reffed, both were terrifying, but I bought myself a whistle so figure that means they're stuck with me....
What’s your favourite animal?
Bats are the best, I've planned a whole life around surveying them and doing scientific write ups about their diversity, fairly keen on them like.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I have no interesting facts about me, but did you know that bats have the fastest growing tissue of any mammal? Well you do now..!
What is your favourite thing to do in Dundee?
Since I live here now: Sleeping. Sleeping is my favourite thing to do in Dundee, closely followed by napping.
Favourite after party memory?
Lets just say that French skaters know how to throw a WILD after party and that I do not do well in a crowd surfing environment.
Is there any podcast you love to listen to?
I'm listeing to Real Weird Sisters at the moment, two sisters that discuss Harry Potter in all the detail that I crave...!! 10/10 would recommend.
What do you say to the people that don't “get” derby? When I describe our sport, people always tell me that “Roller derby is so viscious”.
We've literally all had the same things, “why is it only girls that play”, “it just seems so brutal”, “What a violent sport” when describing derby to the uninitiated.
Other mainstream sports are usually commended for their aggression and passion, but ours is usually put down because of it. A sport that invites all gender identities to express themselves competitively, aggressively and in a non-judgemental environment is exactly what we need to have.
We spend our lives being forced into little ticky boxes and told not to put ourselves first, not to be loud, not to voice our opinions. Roller derby has taught me that I deserve to be the loud, strong, opinionated person that I am and if I can inspire anyone to step out and be themselves, I've done my job as a human bean.
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Who do you choose for next month's DRD spotlight and why?
Just passing SofM around The Anxiety Wall™... I'd like to throw the spotlight onto Razin (Rae'n of Terror #426)!
We've worked together in the “We are not okay” wall for the past few seasons and to see them grow into the amazing, strong and shockingly speedy skater that they have is an absolute dream.
