DRD Spotlight - Ruby RaGe

Skate name: Ruby RaGe | Number: 68 | Skating since: 2010

What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your derby time?

Definitely coming back from a serious leg injury. It took me some time to gain back confidence to put one foot in front of the other. Also just becoming a referee has been very challenging. For all those folks who think it’s easy, it ain't! You have to invest a lot of your time into understanding the sport and also putting it into practise. I am by no means perfect, but I do work hard at it.

Any advice for people thinking about getting involved with derby?

Doesn’t matter how old you are or if you can actually skate. Having been with the league for a long time, I have seen how people have progressed and evolved into top class skaters. My advice to folks when they start out is to never compare themselves with others. Everyone’s Derby journey is individual to them. You will have sessions where everything falls into place, and others where you feel you can’t put a foot right. Stick with it, I believe that there’s room at the derby table for everyone and as long as you work hard you will achieve. Whether you are involved on or off skates it will enrich your life in ways you can’t imagine. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Tell us an interesting fact about you!

I was the manager of the Ann Summers store in Dundee when it first opened and was there for nearly 5 years. We were a pretty high-ranking store too and the month I left we were awarded ‘Store of the Year’ Unfortunately I didn’t get whatever prize the awarded because I went to a different job. I have many stories that I could tell.

What is your job?

I started a new job before lock down. I am a cycle leader and take people who are a bit older, infirm or have medical issues out on E-trikes. Let me tell you trikes are very difficult to ride, and thankfully I can stick to my two wheeler!. I’m hoping we can start up again once things calm down. It’s a great way to keep people fit and also really gives them confidence. The one time I was able to take a group I could see the joy it brought which was really rewarding.

What kind of kit do you have? Anything special about it?

I can’t deny I have a ‘thing’ for skates. I am embarrassed to say how many pairs I have owned in 10 years (approx. 13!!). I do love Antik skates and have my old trusted MG2’s with Avenger plates which I have worn since I came back from injury. They’ve done me proud as I skated 3 half marathons in them and numerous games and they’ve never let me down. I have ‘replaced’ them with the Antik Carbon’s (super lightweight) and stuck with R3 plates to avoid heaviness. I also wear Reno Swift 92A hockey wheels and Bont Toe Go stops. I have played about with varying wheels and find the narrow ones really work for me (plus hockey wheels are generally less expensive than derby wheels). I get too much drag with wide wheels and I need all the speed I can get!

I think I have owned the same Anarchy knee and elbow pads for the last 9 years and gone through varying helmets due to my having short hair to a long mane of dreads.

What position do you ref in?

I OPR (outside pack ref). It’s pretty full on with the most surface area to skate out of all the ref positions. I particularly like being the middle OPR. I have been trying my hand on the inside, which is tough (there is very limited space!) It’s something I need to work on for the future as the game gets faster, skaters get younger and I get older and a bit slower!

Three words to describe derby to you?

Intense, joyous, challenging.

Motivational quote?

It’s better to burn out than to fade away.

How does derby impact the rest of your life?

I made a huge decision in 2018 to jack in my job of 15 years and go to college to study sports coaching and development at HN level. I love coaching new skaters and I wanted to take things a step further and learn more about general sports and ways to develop. Roller Derby was my meal ticket and for my interview I did a practical off skates’ session with a bunch of bewildered guys. It was a huge leap as I was what I would call a ‘very mature student’. I was older than all my lecturers, never mind the other pupils. But it’s been worth all the hard work and effort and I am hoping to go on to Uni to study further. My advice is it’s never too late to go back to education.

Do you have any pets?

I have 2 cats, Simba and Belle. They are both completely bonkers!

If you could have any job in the world what would it be?

I would love to work in motivational techniques with people in sport. In particular working on positive mental attitude and building confidence. Because I am learning to use hypnotherapy, I understand the power of words and how empowering they can be in helping people achieve things they feel are out of reach.

What was your favourite subject at school?

I always loved art at school. It’s followed me through life and I still enjoy creating assemblage pieces.

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

I pick Thor’s Slammer. They joined DRD last year and to be honest I don’t know much about them other than they always have a smile, are super dedicated and are a great skater.