DRD Spotlight - Crown Jewels

SKATE NAME: Crown Jewels | NUMBER: 67 | SKATING SINCE: 10 years – with a break for a baby and a global pandemic!

What's your favourite derby memory?

I have a lot of good memories, mostly they involve away trips, so Copenhagen, Southend, playoffs. Probably my best memory is of my last away trip to Leeds, where we played in a triple header. I was pleased with myself for being able to play two games but also it is where the Jules clapping/team motivation chair came from!

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

Trying to manage it around my family life in the last few years. I feel like I’m coming to the end of my derby time and trying to keep my own motivation up to keep attending training as well as trying to manage it around work and home life is quite hard.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

I have visited Vienna a few times and it is such a beautiful city that I have always wanted to return. My dream was to play derby there, which almost happened in April this year but was cancelled for obvious reasons, I was so gutted. Even if I’m not skating if/when the team go there, I’m still coming along!

Tell us an interesting fact about you!

I love TV gameshows and have appeared on three, 1 vs 100, The Weakest Link and Tipping Point. I still have to win my fortune.

Favourite after party memory?

The trip to the arcades after we played in Southend, had such a great time. Again it is to do with spending time with people that are my team mates and having a shared experience with them.

Do you have any pets?

I have my two cats Muffin and Minnie – both are tortoiseshells and Minnie is named because she looks like a mini version of Muffin. Shame Muffin can’t stand her!

Do you have any tattoos?

I have one of my cat’s paw, I got it in tribute to him after he was run over. It was a very sad time and we got Minnie a year later.

Do you have any bench/Line up experience?

I did line up for a while when I was pregnant and nearly had a premature labour watching the team play. I also did some line up with the Bonnie Colliders last season which I really enjoyed.

What’s your favourite band?

I was very much into music in the 90s, a proper Britpop girl. Mark and I spent our life going to gigs and one band we never saw was The Cardigans. They re-formed a few years back and we went to see them in Glasgow in 2018, I was so emotional at finally getting to see them and for that reason, the best gig I’ve ever been too.

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

I choose Andrea, I’ve been so impressed with how much she has taken on in the league recently, heading up the social committee, taking training sessions, collating the COVID statistics for our return to play and her baking is epic! She is really engaged with the league and actively looks for ways to keep us pushing forward.