DRD Spotlight - Jill Antonic

SKATE NAME: Jill Antonic | NUMBER: 76 | SKATING SINCE: 2009

How did you hear about Roller Derby and the DRD?

My boss brought me in a newspaper article about GRD and said that I'd like it because I like skating and I like hitting people. He is right!

What is your job?

Specialist Biomedical Scientist!

What's your favourite derby memory?

There's so many I'm not sure which one to pick! When we won a game against a big rival team. We'd set out a goal to score 100 points, and in the end we won by more than that, but it was a huge achievement for us as a league at the time.

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

Now!! I'm not yet back on skates for health reasons so watching all my team mates getting back to it is hard, but I'm also worried about how difficult things will be when I do get my skates back on next year!

Post-pandemic, what are you most looking forward to with getting back to training?

Getting back to that feeling you get at scrims and games when you work together to stop the jammer!

Do you play any other sports?

I used to paly ice hockey, but the skates were too different from my roller skates, so I gave it up in favour of roller derby.

What helped to keep you going during lockdown?

The team Zoom calls definitely helped! Also the online social events were great - pumpkin carving, and watching games together helped us to stay in contact with each other!

Have you discovered any new interests/hobbies during lockdown?

Cross stitch, sewing and bread making, bit of a cliche really!

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

I can't even remember the brands it's been such a long time since I last wore it! I do love my hockey helmet though, it's comfier and offers better protection than other brands!

Do you have any bench/Line up experience?

We stopped using a LUM at DRD a while back, but I benched the Tayzers in 2018 when I was pregnant and had a great time. The tournament in Paris was especially fun, we won an official review that we were using as a rest break!

Favourite after party memory?

The Swansea afterparty in Dundee, there were so many drinking games! I remember going outside to get some air and realising it was only 9pm and still daylight!

Tell us an interesting fact about you!

I've had my name up in lights in Piccadilly circus in London

Most embarrassing moment in derby?

Skating in an exhibition game to make up numbers, it was against some of the best players in the UK and I was so ridiculously out of my depth . I jammed once and don't think I even made it over the pivot line! It was also my first experience on sport court, so yeah, that was fun!

Do you have any pets?

Cats - Fiyero, Glinda and Elphaba, my 3 little munchkins!

Do you have any tattoos?

6, I'd love more, but keep putting it off in favour of more practical things to spend my money on!

Where is your favourite place in the world?

The rocky mountains in Canada, they are breath-takingkly beautiful!

Favourite tv programme atm?

Really enjoying Sex education ATM, but Parks and Rec is always a favourite!

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

I choose Angrea, because she worked really hard to keep us all connected during lockdown!