DRD Spotlight - Seaton

Skate Name: Seaton | Number: 102 | Time Skating: 9 years

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

Definitely the last year! Having to adjust how we stay connected as a league, try to keep some sense of training going through workout sessions on Zoom and just in general missing seeing everyone and the things we get to do together. I think for all of us the thought of getting used to skating and contact again is super daunting, but I'm excited to get to support everyone through from a training perspective and get back to some sense of normality myself.

What have you missed the most about derby?

Team! I miss spending time in sports halls in random places with some of my favourite people, sweaty hugs and seeing people achieve things they have been working hard on in training. The sport element of derby is obviously so rewarding, but I miss achieving as part of a team and having the shared wins and losses as well as the incredible support being a member of a team provides.

How are you preparing for returning to training?

I’ve been trying to keep up fitness through our Monday Zoom sessions, as well as extra workouts in the flat. Now the weather is improving I’m looking forward to more skating practice. I think things like balance are something that have suffered from not being on skates so I’m trying to include that in my workouts where possible. From a coaching perspective it's going to a be a big adjustment, and need us to think up a lot of different drills from the ones we used previously but I’m excited for the challenge.

What’s your favourite thing about derby?

I think derby is really good at being a sport for people who aren’t always from a sporty background. It gives the chance for a team sport where people can achieve really impressive things, represent their city or country on international levels when that’s maybe something they hadn’t ever considered till they started derby. It also gives people the opportunity to be coaches that probably never thought that was the case.

What’s your least favourite thing about derby?

Trying to explain what it is in a single sentence to people who don’t really know, and are only being polite by asking “what is that?”

Any other hobbies other than derby?

I’ve tried to craft a lot more during lockdowns. Default tends to be cross stitch, I’m currently working through a Dolly Parton portrait cross stitch which I believe will take me the next three years, think I'm about 30% through after starting in May 2020.

Do you have any pets?

I live with two cats, but I don’t believe they view our relationship as an owner/pet.

Favourite TV programme atm?

I’m currently re-watching lost, and quietly confident that on this third viewing its all going to make sense.

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

After years of reffing me, on the first game as our Bench he managed to get me a penalty. He’s also done good things, but that one stands out. Righteous Oxide!