DRD Spotlight - Jinger Jedi

Skate name: Jinger Jedi | Number: 413 | Started skating: 2019

How did you hear about roller derby and the DRD?

I first heard about Roller Derby from Breezy Does It #289 back in Perth where I first started to learn how to skate, but due to work, I had to move to Aberdeen for a year and ended up stopping. Fast forward 7 years ... we are back in Dundee and Leigh saw the post on Twitter for the fresh intake for DRD and we decided to go along!

What’s your favourite derby memory?

My favourite derby memory has to be my grad scrim that was on the 13th September this year. I enjoyed EVERY second of it, far more than I every knew was possible. It was so much fun. I LOVED it!

Who is your derby hero?

Optimus Grime from Power of Scotland. I saw him play for the first time on the 15th of September at the Power of Scotland selection game and he gave me a good idea of what is possible!

How does derby impact the rest of your life?

Derby has helped me to be much more confident in everyday life as well as giving me a great and fun activity to look forward to every week and some amazingly awesome new friends!!

What is your job?

I am a Software Engineer working at Vision Health(INPS) - a medical company creating software for doctors to use when in a consultation with a patient.

What was your favourite subject at school?

My favourite subject at school was a tie between Computing and Classics.

What is your favourite NSO or support role?

Since I started derby I have had the opportunity to try a few NSO positions at scrims and enjoyed them all, but my favourite is Score Board Operator that I have been able to do at some games.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your derby time?

When I started skating, I found that I was getting a really sore back which meant that I was having to stop quite a lot to stretch it out before I was able to continue. Thankfully as i have progressed it has gotten better and better to the point that it doesn’t bother me much at all and I am so glad that I pushed through it as I enjoy derby soooooo much.

Do you have any other hobbies outwith roller derby?

I LOVE to play any and all board games! I enjoy going to support the local ice hockey team and I do Fire Dancing with Leigh and Bev who both taught me!!

Most embarrassing moment in derby?

I was shadowing the refs at scrims for the first time and so was in the middle of the track... It was in between jams and so nothing was happening and I fell over for no reason just as all of the skaters were coming back on track so EVERYONE saw it !!

What is your favourite animal?

My favourite real animal is a dog but if I get to choose from non-real animals, it would absolutely be a Griffin!

Where is your favourite place in the world?

My favourite place in the world has to be Leigh's home country of South Africa. I have been once so far and enjoyed every second of it.

Who do you choose for next month's DRD spotlight and why?

II choose Sophie Belau-Conlon... Sophie was the one who convinced me to get on skates and join in with this past intake and even took the time to work with me 1-to-1 to make sure that I was able to catch up with the rest of the new skaters.