Today we have a new feature: The Featured League, and Skater of the month. For the purposes of my own sanity they will come from the same League. When I started this blog I didn't think I would have many readers, so I asked my local league, the Tallahassee Rollergirls to have the honors of the first League and Skater. Well, we've come a long way in a short time and already have leagues lined up through August. If you are a league or skater who wants to be highlighted here, then please shoot me an email and we can set something up; however, I can't say it will be exactly first come, first serve. I will likely try to honor it, but spice things up for geographical variety. So, without further delay, June's Featured League and Skater of the Month!
June's Featured League: Tallahassee Rollergirls
Web Page: TallyRG.com
Where are you located?: Tallahassee, Florida.
Give us a brief league history: Our league was founded in 2006, and our first full season of derby happened in 2007. We became a member of WFTDA in 2009, and are currently ranked 14th in the South Central Region.
How large is your league now?: Our league currently has around 27 dedicated skaters on two teams: Our All-Star team is Capital Punishment, and the Jailbreak Betties for our up and coming players. We are also very fortunate to have one of the best referee, NSO and volunteer crews out there.
Who is your biggest rival league?: Our biggest rival league would have to be fellow WFTDA member, Jacksonville Roller Girls. For the past two seasons our bouts against Jacksonville have always been the most intense and challenging of the season. It is usually a back and forth fight all the way until the end.
Who is your idol league?: Our idol league would have to the Atlanta Roller Girls. They are an amazing group of ladies who play hard but with a lot of class, and are very supportive. A few months ago Alassin Sane and Rebel Yellow came down to run a workshop for us that was amazing.
Who are some of your All-Stars we should watch for?: One of our most recognized players is LaVoodoo, who is a great all-around blocker. Our jammers Stone Her, low maim and Great Wall of Gina have very different jammer styles but are all known for their playing ability, speed, and intensity. Trailer Thrash, Erin Breakabitch, The Terminatrix, Pixie Pounder, Fem Venomous and Moxie Knockout are some of veterans who are known for their hard hits and strategic play. Also watch out for some new stand-outs Jabba the Butt, Titanium Whip, and Vaginamite.
If we had to watch one upcoming game, which one should it be, and why? That would have to be the upcoming rematch bout against the Hard Knox Roller Girls on July 16th, in Knoxville, Tennessee. In our last match-up we lost by just 12 points in a great, evenly-matched bout.
What are your plans for the future?: Our plans are to keep training hard, continue to perfect our game strategy, and to always challenge ourselves. While we are one of the smaller leagues in WFTDA, our hearts and drive are through the roof. Our goal is to make 2012 the year we make it to Regionals.
June's Featured Skater: Great Wall of Gina
Name: Great Wall of Gina
Number: #4000
League & Team: Tallahassee RollerGirls, Capital Punishment
How long have you been skating and playing Roller Derby?: I have been skating and playing Roller Derby since 2006. So just over 5 years now (time seems to fly!).
What was your level of experience before you joined the team?: Pretty much non-existent. When I joined the league in 2006, the only skating experience I had was the occasional skate around the local roller rink at friend’s birthday parties. While I was definitely not a wall-hugger, I couldn’t do a crossover to save my life. Double toe-stops and backward skating absolutely petrified me.
What is your favorite position to play on the track?: I’m almost always a jammer for my team. While I do love jamming, I get a little giddy when I get the chance to block. Since it doesn't happen often, I love any position in the pack since I tend to move around a lot in the pack.
What is your favorite Roller Derby moment that you helped create?: There have been so many wonderful moments, but one of the most memorable has to be when we played the Memphis Hustlin’ Rollers earlier this season. During this bout, with the help of my amazing blockers, I was able to score 29 points in the last jam before the end of the first half which helped my team tie up the game. This was a personal best for me, and I believe a league record for most points scored in a single jam during a sanctioned WFTDA bout.
What are you most well known for on the track?: Being Asian? Just kidding! I think I’m known for my intensity during the game, smart plays, and consistency.
Who is your Roller Derby hero?: There are just too many people I really admire for their derby playing abilities….Snot Rocket Science, Olivia Shootin’ John, Alassin Sane, Bettie Kruger. However, my roller derby heroes have to be all the ladies who lace up their skates and push through all the sweat, blood, and tears even when they don’t think they can.
What is the one piece of advice you'd like to give to every skater?: Remember to breathe. Inevitably there are going to be times in either a game or practice that will get you so frustrated that you think that’s it, I've had it. Instead, take a second to breathe and refocus. Think about what you can do to make it work, make sure to talk with your teammates to get on the same page, and never look back.
Contact me: King James
June's Featured League: Tallahassee RollergirlsWeb Page: TallyRG.com
Where are you located?: Tallahassee, Florida.
Give us a brief league history: Our league was founded in 2006, and our first full season of derby happened in 2007. We became a member of WFTDA in 2009, and are currently ranked 14th in the South Central Region.
How large is your league now?: Our league currently has around 27 dedicated skaters on two teams: Our All-Star team is Capital Punishment, and the Jailbreak Betties for our up and coming players. We are also very fortunate to have one of the best referee, NSO and volunteer crews out there.
Who is your biggest rival league?: Our biggest rival league would have to be fellow WFTDA member, Jacksonville Roller Girls. For the past two seasons our bouts against Jacksonville have always been the most intense and challenging of the season. It is usually a back and forth fight all the way until the end.
Who is your idol league?: Our idol league would have to the Atlanta Roller Girls. They are an amazing group of ladies who play hard but with a lot of class, and are very supportive. A few months ago Alassin Sane and Rebel Yellow came down to run a workshop for us that was amazing.
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| Photo: Al Hall & Ray Rodil |
If we had to watch one upcoming game, which one should it be, and why? That would have to be the upcoming rematch bout against the Hard Knox Roller Girls on July 16th, in Knoxville, Tennessee. In our last match-up we lost by just 12 points in a great, evenly-matched bout.
What are your plans for the future?: Our plans are to keep training hard, continue to perfect our game strategy, and to always challenge ourselves. While we are one of the smaller leagues in WFTDA, our hearts and drive are through the roof. Our goal is to make 2012 the year we make it to Regionals.
June's Featured Skater: Great Wall of Gina
Name: Great Wall of Gina
Number: #4000
League & Team: Tallahassee RollerGirls, Capital Punishment
How long have you been skating and playing Roller Derby?: I have been skating and playing Roller Derby since 2006. So just over 5 years now (time seems to fly!).
What was your level of experience before you joined the team?: Pretty much non-existent. When I joined the league in 2006, the only skating experience I had was the occasional skate around the local roller rink at friend’s birthday parties. While I was definitely not a wall-hugger, I couldn’t do a crossover to save my life. Double toe-stops and backward skating absolutely petrified me.
What is your favorite position to play on the track?: I’m almost always a jammer for my team. While I do love jamming, I get a little giddy when I get the chance to block. Since it doesn't happen often, I love any position in the pack since I tend to move around a lot in the pack.
 |
| Photo: Al Hall & Ray Rodil |
What are you most well known for on the track?: Being Asian? Just kidding! I think I’m known for my intensity during the game, smart plays, and consistency.
Who is your Roller Derby hero?: There are just too many people I really admire for their derby playing abilities….Snot Rocket Science, Olivia Shootin’ John, Alassin Sane, Bettie Kruger. However, my roller derby heroes have to be all the ladies who lace up their skates and push through all the sweat, blood, and tears even when they don’t think they can.
What is the one piece of advice you'd like to give to every skater?: Remember to breathe. Inevitably there are going to be times in either a game or practice that will get you so frustrated that you think that’s it, I've had it. Instead, take a second to breathe and refocus. Think about what you can do to make it work, make sure to talk with your teammates to get on the same page, and never look back.
Contact me: King James
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