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2009/11/05
Roller Derby this weekend! Not for Nia...
 Well, here it comes. Last game of the FCDG (Forest City Derby Girls)' Thames Fatales is Saturday. We play the Vicious Dishes of Tri-City (TCRG) from Kitchener-Waterloo ON. Advance tickets are still available (limited) so get them now! Any FCDG rollergirl can help, or visit ticketscene.ca!
I had to notify my team captain today that my hopefulness did not equal fast-healing super powers. I am not playing. My doctor and husband won't give me permission. I could play injured on this knee, but I'm risking much worse injury. A grade II sprain of an MCL ligament in the knee, probably isn't something I should play on. A little swelling, soreness, overuse type injury and like Fall 2008 I'd be on it all day, let it swell, it'd hurt less and off I'd go. But when the Dr. pulled at my leg and the joint had laxity - I felt it sorta move where it shouldn't have moved, ya know? Well I've weighed that against not playing, and chosen not to play on Saturday. If my team gets mad at me or thinks I am a wuss for it, so be it. Just because I choose to pretend it doesn't hurt (I say - it's only stiff - I am fine as long as I am not moving lateral or pivoting on that foot hahaha), doesn't mean it can take roller derby hits and falls for an hour. Am I doing the right thing? Regardless, if I am off-roster, my season is already over, and was over before it got started. That makes a late start (April come back after over a year off skate) a no-start for 2009 with this, my second injury since April requiring a doctor's visit. This time, I get physio though! Hooray! Maybe I will finally figure out what I am doing so wrong to my lower limbs! Is this the end? Naaaaa... it's just the off season creeping up on us. Montreal is having a special expo bout Nov 21, and on the same day in Edmonton Oil City is hosting the 3rd annual Sk8mare before Christmas! Hamilton is having an Art Crawl Derby Party on Nov 13, We may be quiet through the holidays when we take rest and family time, but we're training rookies, recruiting, and adding skills for the 2010 season throughout the winter, so don't despair! I'll still be rolling! See you Saturday at Western Fair! Labels: bouts, event, FCDG, injuries
2009/10/28
Preparing for FCDG ROLLER DERBY - Nov 7, 2009
 It will be the last game of London, Ontario's Forest City Derby Girls for the 2009 season. The Thames Fatales (that includes me, Nia Capps, Blocker, #74 on the line up) take on the Tri City Champs from Kitchener-Waterloo 2009 Season, the Vicious Dishes! It's a sort of re-match from the bout this summer when Tri-City Thunder beat the Thames Fatales on the Tri-City home turf, and the Thames look to make it up by returning that favor on Nov 7. In the meantime, for me, I've spent the last few weeks practicing (except when I was sick), getting my gear situation improved (I am now sporting brand new 187 knee pads (my Old Pro-Tec street ones were just worn out after - 3 years!), and new Pro-tec street elbow and wrist guards. Oh, and don't forget about the Radar Mojo wheels 88A with aluminum hubs I got from Rollergirl.ca - these babies are awesome! I hope they are as good on a good arena floor as they are on our slippy concrete floor. Now it's just about actually performing this time around. There were little expectations for me last game as an alternate, but this time around, I have some shit to prove. I will do my best. In prep, I'm heading out with some of my teammates to a scrimmage practice with the Smoke City Betties of The ToRD league tonight. Time to practice for real! Unfortunately, it's a 2-3 hour drive to get to the 2 hour practice, add 2-3 hours home and put that all after a long work day and I'll be wiped out. Add a morning 7:30 departure to go right back to Toronto to a special meeting work day in our Toronto offices, and a nightmarishly over-promised Nia who is A) Making a Halloween Costume B) Baking cookies and cupcakes for a bake sale C) practicing roller derby D) getting a shirt found, bought and given to be lettered for the Nov 7 bout E) going to a doctor appointment and working full time this week - and note: I am doing F) ALL OF THE ABOVE - and what you have is a happy, stressed, tired, over worked, excited, ready to get to Saturday already Nia Capps. But don't worry, derby luvvers, I'll make time for roller derby stuff too. I was just reading up on the WFTDA apprentice program - wondering if WFTDA is a goal for us in Forest City and if I could help out by being the person to drive it, the NSO and referee WFTDA accreditation requirements, the most recent WFTDA rankings for Canadian leagues (MTL Roller derby is 13th in North EAST, Hammer City (Hamilton) is not yet ranking in North Central), and trying to figure out how I can help FCDG promotion wise, as well as planning off-season web-site updates for Derby Luv and FCDG. Well, until the weekend, I may be offline, but I wil be checking my email. Message me if you need advance tickets, Thames Fatales 2010 Calendars or merch, or need anything on Derby Luv! Labels: bouts, FCDG, TCRG, training
2009/10/15
End of Season HOORAHS and Blues
November 7, 2009 will be the last game of the season for my team (FCDG's Thames Fatales). The first game fully on roster for me, (not just as alternate like last time) and we're going against the fast, wall-maker blockers and jammers of TCRG (Tri-City Roller Girls (Kitchener-Waterloo, ON). (Tickets are available in advance - check the website!) At the Bounce This! game last month, I was so nervous and feeling surreal that I was almost out of it. I made it through my half-dozen jams I played to fill in for other players needing a break, and upon a calm, sober, reflection I feel oddly conflicted. I can name about 4 good things that happened for me, and about 4 that were not so good, and the experience being fantastic - well it was NOT because I did anything fantastic or that I feel my team learned to trust me or that I played super well. It was just fantastic that I was playing and that we won. False fantasticism is my new word today. So my goal for the next 3 weeks is to not miss a practice. To ask my team to help me be more effective in the next game by running plays with me. To practice with as many teammates as I can to get a feel for how we can work together. To ask my coach/captain for advice on how to hold the line and still be effective within the pack if my pivot asks me to hold the line, is that just what I am doing in that jam, and is that an okay thing to be? Just be The Line-Holder. I guess, if I am a good goddamn line holder, eh? LOL And for personal prep I have new protective gear (187 Knees, Protec Street elbows and wrists) from Rollergirl.ca , Kwik 7 Bearings, and I am on RADAR MOJO's too. Man, the review for these wheels is going to have 4 stars, or two skirts up, or whatever my best rating will be. I absolutely love them - hope they are fast enough on the Western Fair Canada Building floor! I'll get a black shirt lettered in advance so I won' t have to worry, and I will be scrimmage practicing with some girls later in October to get a practice session in. What else can I do? Don't get injured, Hydrate, stretch, relax, and get my confidence up. Any suggestions anybody? This weekend: Practice tonight, Yoga on Friday, A clothing swap/Epicure/jewelry party on Saturday followed by a recruitment Meet and Greet with the FCDG, Sat evening, and on Sunday? Well, say it with me: Zombieland and Halloween decorations. If you are in Toronto, go check out the Chicks Ahoy vs The Death Track Dolls on Saturday night. And for my American friends, some more bouts are around http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/bouts. Labels: FCDG, roller derby gear, TCRG, ToRD, training
2009/10/04
Forest City Derby Girls get their revenge on Rideau Valley
So I didn't do a write-up on the Forest City Derby Girls website on the last two games, because I didn't get any photos from them, but I did post here. So if you're paying attention, you'll remember on July 6 weekend we all took the purple 70s-era party bus to Ottawa and pretty much had our asses handed to us by RVRG, and they trounced us. We had fun anyway, and we came home and we reviewed, and we trained. We played Tri-City last weekend, and we also got beat. Well, we decided as a team that 1) We do need to work together if we want to win 2) We do need to be aggressive and do better pack control, and 3) It's important to still have fun. So we did. We put on a good show last night. Let's break it down for you. Intros: RVRG - Pace Line, Player intro and wave.
FCDG - 5 or 6 in large black afro wigs with green jammer stars on them. Pack skate, player intro - throw a WHIP IT! T-shirt into the crowd and slide into line on knees. Anya Face, captain is last skater called and she hits the line and we all fall down.
Period 1
Don't ask me the score or what jam was which - I was an alternate last night so I was watching and then making sure I wasn't being put in last minute all night. Worse than getting killed is waiting to get killed, you know? Anyway...
Highlights: RVRG star, Soul Rekker, who is a star jammer, had FCDG blockers on her last night like white on rice. We managed to work our line-ups so that our weaker jammer would skate against Soul Rekker, but the blocking line-up would be on her, while our stronger jammer would go out against their weaker ones and rack up points. Mid-way in, I was called up to go in. I had been nervous all freaking day. Worse than when I played with the Contrabanditas for my first game in Montreal in 2007. Way worse! Why? In Montreal, I was playing with a team I had trained with for a year. I was playing against a team I practiced with all the time, so I knew what they would do. This time, up against RVRG I just knew I'd get owned. That jam went sour fast. First off, the pack got split up and we were freaking sprawled it seemed like 60 feet, though my teammate Annie Takers was right behind me on my left on the line, and I was in the middle. I wen to hit an RVRG blocker, and she and her teammate sandwiched me. It was okay though, I fell, but two of them were busy taking me down, and VROOM went Anya face as she skirted by. YAY! I made a, what's that, DIVERSION. But then, disaster. Semi-Precious of RVRG but a hard hit into Mirambo, one of our fantastic all around skaters, and Mirambo slammed to the ground into one of the columns in our playing space that we have to pad because they are inside our safety mark. She snapped her collar bone. Well, as Mirambo was taken out on the stretcher, our team pulled ourselves together and did, "MIRAMBO" chant and went back out to give'er. Score 74-55 for FCDG. Intermission: Fruit, water, stretch, talk game plan. Period 2: The line ups changed a bit, and the jammer match-ups changed to. We had Anya Face going up against Soul Rekker now, and Soul Rekker would jump in as a blocker to try and stop Killson. Killson made about 800 new fans last night, because she was unstoppable. She skated hard, fast, and skirted by hits like she floated across the floor. Anya Face blocked as a jammer when Soul Rekker was racking up RVRG points. Ak-47 of RVRG was jamming quite a bit last night, but she got sent to the box a couple times, leaving our jammers open to just roll. FCDG called 2 timeouts and challenged a call, and also noticed some points missing. Once corrected, the score was 88-70 in Period 2. The only game issue was that during the timeouts, the crowds get a little "WTF is going on?"and get out of the action. I'll speak to that in a minute. Other issues, was reffing. There were two pretty confusing instances where first jam, we had a jammerless jam with both jammers called on majors. In Period 2, Killson took a turn in the box, came out, did one lap and was sent back out again. It was just weird. RVRG also was disappointed in the reffing. Here's that complaint again. Bad reffing. We've had it in games we play, like this weekend, as we all have, I think. Referees in derby are inexperienced (most don't play derby themselves), unpaid volunteers, that only can practice their craft if we play. So here's my personal theory. Setup one scrimmage practice per week and ask the refs to come out. Scrimmage in a "dress rehearsal" fashion with the clocks running, penalty calls, the whole shebang. It will be good practice for the refs - because you can stop after a bad call and review right away. And it would be invaluable in a secure environment with their teammates for new skaters and rookies to get a feel for the pace of a bout. But, if your space doesn't allow for full bouting hits and play, that might be hard. So I guess GTAR had it right this year. If you don't have space to practice all the time, just play a lot. Play a game as often as you can. But the end of a season, you'll be better just from learning on the fly. Refs should ref at all nearby derby games, to get more experience, and everyone, remember, it's Roller Derby and we aren't even at risk of losing endorsement contracts. But I digress. Here's another point for you, we all get bad reffing sometimes, and we deal with it. Win or lose, Jammer's game, blocking game, good calls and missed calls. Challenge and review when you think you need it, and watch your points. Other than that, play derby and have fun! If it's not fun, you don't want to do it! So as the period went on, I got to play a few more times. I mainly held the inside line when asked to, I didn't get any superstar hits in, or do any hail mary plays, but I had no intention of trying anything like that last night. I was just getting my bout legs back. I took some hits, made some holes for my jammers, held a position or two, took a skate to the chin in a pileup and was on the ground at least once in all my jams. We ended on a fight note, unfortunately. Semi-Precious nailed another player and Elle Boes jumped on her back and ended up putting Semi-Precious into a headlock. It was bad, and Elle Boes did get ejected and did apologize. Tempers flared and it was over. You won't get the humor in what happened until you see Elle Boes. She's about 5 foot something and weighs about 100 pounds. Semi-Precious is a strong blocker. It was like a Wildcat and a lion. Elle was ejected for fighting, for the last part of the period - and we won! It was sad for it to be on a bad note for Semi-Precious. She's a tough competitor and tempers should be in check out there. But, all in all, what happens on the track stays on the track. Victory lap (my first ever) was awesome, and then we got RVRG to take their lap too. We did a big team photo op, and then had RVRG join us. I hope we actually get some of the photos that get taken - I want to see them! (btw, I found photos and the two teams are AWESOME! Now, it's time to review, process, and train. Our final game of the 2009 season is on November 7th, and it's another re-match, this time versus the Championship winning team from Tri-City Roller Girls, (TCRG), either the Vicious Dishes or the Venus Flytramps. I saw Anita Martini, Bareleigh Legal, and some of the TCRG crew in the suicides last night, scoping us out. I hope for the next bout I can show my stuff like I do in practice. I'll be less nervous, I hope, and if not, I'll keep people busy hitting me. TCRG teams are fast though, so I will be ordering some new bearings (I am on Abec 5s right now, cause my REDS rusted) and will be working on speed and hitting this month. Je Thames, Thames Fatales, for working so hard, having so much fun and for bringing me on that ride. I just had my first win ever. I really felt like I helped, even though I only played 7 jams and fell a lot - I thought - and I kept up, surprising since I can't keep up with the team at practice most of the time (speed wise, not skating wise I mean). I feel like next time I can help more. I heart every sore muscle, broken nail, bruise and bump I have today and I heart Je Thames Fatales, and I heart roller derby. A good day. Thanks RVRG! You guys rock out on the track and are awesome. We learned alot from you. Soul Rekker, you are unstoppable, lady. And I am feeling the sandwiched two-blocker hit I took in period 1, and the skate to the chin I took in period 2, so thanks! The pain is what tells me I played! You ladies rock, and we're 1-1 for 2009 - see you in 2010 I hope, and I look forward to a better after-party where we can all hang! Labels: bouts, FCDG, RVRG
2009/10/03
WHIP IT! Totally won me over
If I wasn't already into roller derby, I would be now! Whip It! was awesome. Ok, so I am a little too damn old and fat to identify with a 17 year old skinny girl, or even such a thin Drew, or even such a skinny and tough broad looking Juliette Lewis. I am too jaded for the sappy moments, and never had any "My mom didn't accept me moments" to identify with, but WHIP IT! was great anyway. Why? Bliss' reaction to roller derby was like mine - WOW, I wanna do that! - the roller derby was awesome, if not realistic at all times - I do want a playbook now! - and it made a lot of the movie-going crowd want to see a roller derby game, since we were there to tell them we are live in town. Mission accomplished! It made me laugh a few times, cheer a couple times, and reminded me why I love roller derby too. It made me want to have a food fight with my teammates next time we have cake, and it made me want to have more time to train, and to do better. Watching it was the perfect way to prepare for a game.
Now, just to put on a good showing at the game tomorrow. I know I am not on a "permanent" line up and I did ask to only be played as filler, so I kinda hope I don't have to play much - I'm nervous that I am not ready - but I do want to go back to playing, so I'm torn. I am as nervous as my first game, almost scared again.... wow... ok breathe... tomorrow - Sleep in, Fix up the new Mouth guard, Get your uniform set up, Clean your skates - check bearings, maybe oil them - have a nice Pasta lunch, light snacks after, hydrate, rest, ice, brace and breathe. Go to the Canada Building at about 5 and try the floor early. Then relax. Hydrate, snack, get ready with the team. Breathe. Then don't fall until you're knocked down with a hard hit, get through the intros, and then wait to be called up onto the line. BREATHE. Be nervous, but make eye contact with the lineup, dance and smile, loosen up. BREATHE. Now skate. BREATHE, skate harder and HIT HARD. Skate hard and hit hard and BREATHE. Then relax. The worst is over. Even if it's in the penalty box. Play a good game. Party. See you tomorrow RVRG and Je Thames! Labels: bouts, FCDG, whip it
2009/10/02
WHIP IT! is finally out!
Leagues across North America are getting their skates on, teams together, and are promoting WHIP IT! and roller derby to the masses. I envision larger recruitment pools, even for small-market leagues, and the possibility of more junior derby if the leagues out there have folks willing to teach the younger girls that will be attracted to the teeanage-push of the movie, with Ellen Page escaping her Beauty Queen, mother's footsteps, small town existence to become a roller derby star. And I am excited for it. Drew Barrymore just made friends with all of us, even if the movie turns out to be not a classic, it is the best thing that has happened for Roller Derby, with all of Drew's tireless promotion, to generate public knowledge that we're here, staying, and that that the sport is getting more popular - if they are living in some non-derby news vortex and have missed the bout for the whole of the new millenia to date. As many of the other leagues are doing, my league is doing too. ;) We'll be at the SilverCity Cinemas at Masonville Mall here in London, ON tonight starting for the evening shows at 6 PM to intro the movie, promote roller derby, sell tickets to our bout tomorrow (Bounce This! Western Fair Canada Building, Doors 7 PM, Wheels Roll 8 PM (EST), $12 advance, $15 at the door, licensed event, after party on premises) Personally, I was so stoked to make the roster, that I'm almost crying today with a very sore knee after a fall last night at practice, but intend to just stay off skate, iced and rested today and I am going to skate anyway tomorrow. I am not in full line-up anyway, I am a bench alternate for my first game with the team. We'll be in full gear tonight, some of us skating outside, and some inside, and I hope to get a good crowd. I'm buying tickets this morning to insure I get in! Enjoy the movie, derby luvvers! Labels: bouts, FCDG, whip it
2009/09/29
Nia Capps is Back in Black Baby!
Guess what, guess what! I found out tonight that my offer to help the FCDG Thames Fatales at the BOUNCE THIS! bout on Saturday Oct 3 here in London, versus the Ottawa Rideau Valley Rollergirls (who beat us in July) was accepted! I am on the roster! Back in Black baby! WEEEEIAHHHWWWEEEEEEEESQUEEEEEE (note: spelling was made up by Switch hit Her, Vansterdamn, (night)Mare and Ashley in the car on the way home from practice - the I and AH is for you Switchy! (our home colors are Black and Green, hence my Back in Black theme (My Les Contrabanditas uniform was black and red) So this is how it happened. The always tough-sounding but small-bodied president of our league, Sufferjet goes, "So Hey Nia, how do you feel about maybe playing for us on Saturday?" with a mischievious smile, and I say, "That's what I talked to Anya about last night, like you could put me in as a bench-warmer alternate, use me when someone needs a break, of if someone is injured or to fill holes when you need to change a line up.", I nervously just cover myself. And Suffer goes, "So, how do you feel about it?", a little louder this time. And I say, "I'd do it, if you asked!" and she said, "I put you on the roster already." I went, SWEET! OMG! Is this for real? OMG! Then I was all, oh god, I don't have a uniform yet, or a numbered/lettered shirt, and though Suffer said I could drop a shirt at her house tomorrow and she'd do it for me, I have to go to Toronto for work tomorrow - but I did find a shirt at least. I'll use my Thames shirt for this first debut game, it's a little tight, but whatever. I'll wear a couple layers of hose as tights (found no leggings yet) and my black, white striped short shorts, that though will make me look HUGE, will not get in my way skating - because I am never going back to wearing a skirt again unless I have to. And my green laces and green-striped black knee socks will finish the uniform. Now wheels... the floor there is really slippy. We have to sugar coat it to try to make it sticky, but I am afraid I am going to slide out all night. Is there anything I can do in the way I skate, or to my existing wheels to make sure they can hold on? I know, MOVE YOUR FEET! I am so nervous! What if I can't keep up? What if I have one shot, and I fuck up? All I can hear is Back Alley Sally screaming, "Nia, inside!" and then "FUUCKK!", as though my missed opportunity to nail a jammer onto her ass is just bout-ending crap. But I know she doesn't mean it, and that's just track frustration. Since it was in practice, I mean. Instead, I am trying to push that out and hear Vansterdamn and Switch Hit Her, "Nia, you're big, but you're agile. You can totally skate. You'll do great!" and Anya Face saying in reply to my cautious, "I'm offering, not begging, so don't worry if you want me to wait til November." when she said, "Nia, you don't have to beg. I was begging you when you got hurt!". I am holding onto Sufferjet's, "Wow, way to be a wall Nia!" and "Good Job, Nia" I've heard lately. I am proud to be asked/allowed to play this soon at my level with this great bunch of fun and welcoming rollergirls and fantastic women, I am hopeful that I'll make some good moves and blocks amidst the chaos, and I am determined to try my hardest to play smart, and to be effective. I am a 'Dita for life, MTLRD, but I have been drowned in the Thames River, and I have risen from the muck and the mud, clawing my way out up onto the banks and onto London soil, and out into the world and onto my skates again, and I am now, a Thames Fatale. Let me know if you want advance tickets to the bout, $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Saturday Oct 3, 2008, Doors at 7, wheels at 8 , children under 10 get in free. Derby luv to you all! WOOT! Labels: bouts, FCDG, Nia Capps, training
2009/09/27
Freakshow at Tri-City Thunder for FCDG Thames Fatales
On Saturday, I headed out on a mini-road trip with my derby teammates Vansterdamn, Switch Hit Her, and NightMare (her name she wants, but not sure yet, Mare) The ride consisted of tons of L7 and Peaches tunes, with Vansterdamn and I serenading the car with "Boys wanna be her, Girls wanna be her, Boys wanna be her" and cheers I am working on for the Fatales, like,
" 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?
Not the crying Cri-City Girls But the Thames that made them hurl! Go FATALES!" And Vansterdamn sponsored green and black, car ride manicures. What a good car ride. At the event, Tri-City gave us a warm welcome, and our girls which were a team of only 10 playing were getting ready to play against the 14 team roster of Tri-City, which included Anita Martini, formerly of Forest City, teacher of several Thames blockers, powerhouse mother-hen style blocker, and some good fast skaters that already faced MTLRD Sexpos last year. Anya Face sported new pink hair, SufferJet, (still recovering from a knee injury) would manage from the bench with husband Bad Pitt, both of whom styled some wicked cool headbands. Mirambo in I'm Famous panties, and several showings of our new Bounce This! and Stay Down! line of underpants to wear were on display. The Tri-City girls have their own bagpiper to lead them in, but I thought our domino fall-over entrance was pretty fun as I watched from the merch table. The bout started off harsh and it stayed harsh. The spread was doubled by the 15 minute mark, and tripled by half time, and though the skating of both teams was well-matched, Tri-City dominated the pack, often taking lead jammer, and holding up some tough-to-break walls. Moments of FCDG triumph included a powerful jam by Elle Boes (#666) sporting some new Mojo wheels she's testing for Derby Luv and Rollergirl.ca, some big hits by Jemecide who played her first game as a blocker (she was always a jammer), and barrel rolls, and big hits my Mirambo #69). Tri-City, though, had several severely hard hitters, good jamming, and like I said, could dominate the pack. But it was a great game to watch, even though from the final 124-45 score it seems one-sided, the action was exciting for the home crowd. Reffing had some questionable moments, with FCDG points being questioned (missed) and Bad Pitt being ejected after a heated exchange with the refs over the missed points not given to FCDG, so we love him for fighting for us. But it has taken my mind to think about how to improve the reffing of roller derby. Why are there always so many complaints about missed calls, missed points, and misunderstandings? Is it because our refs are un-paid volunteers? Do they not go to enough scrimmage practices to practice themselves? How's the reffing in the WFTDA ranks going? Maybe I'll have to ask some folks out there to weigh in. Oh, on the way home, the girls were hungry and we stopped through a drive-thru (only thing open) and got McDonald's. First time in two years a fry passed my lips (i had 8 fries) and it was like candy! So no more of those! Gave'em up when I saw SuperSize Me, so no more! Oh yeah, and I am so sore from my Friday Extreme Edge class at Punch Like A Girl my quads are crying. My trainer friend said I'd hate it, but lunges and squats were the way to go. How can something this painful be good for me? Check me out on Sparkpeople.com for more info on training plan, fall workout schedule and diet. I'm always trying something new. Two weeks on diet supplied by my husband intended to fit into my Sparkpeople ranges, see what I lose. Today was Day 1.
Labels: bouts, FCDG, TCRG
2009/09/20
FCDG - Thames Fatales 2010 Pin up Calendar available!
 I'm promoting it because I'm in it, and cause it's my team! Get your hands on a badass 2010 derby calendar now, and get a load of the Forest City Derby Girls and some wonderful photography by Adam Gaverluk. Available from Weezi, or from me or any other FCDG rollergirl. $20 each, order today! Featured Images by Adam Gaverluk Oh, and also, tickets to the October 3rd bout here in London, ON are now available. Let me know if you need one! I'm off to Punch Like a Girl this morning, and to do some errands. Tomorrow, try derby practice again. When I can make it 2 hours and not be in pain, I'll be ready to play. Fingers crossed!
Labels: FCDG, roller derby art
2009/08/23
SmartyPants, SmartyPants!
Hey Hey Derbyluvvers, well, there was nothing in derby I could do to tell you about these last 6 weeks, since I was off skate with this stupid, severe ankle sprain. At this point, I am pretty sure it is just a bad sprain and residual pain is from remodeling of torn ligaments. So with a new ankle support at the ready, I am back to skating this week.
Sad to hear Raven has knee injury - looks like injuries hit us all at some time or other.
But I am just too excited to worry about my healing injuries now. Did you know August 28 it my birthday? Yep, I'll be a whopping, scary, 35 years old this Friday, and on Saturday August 29, my friend is hosting a Hotdog BBQ Birthday BBQ party for me. If you're in London, grab some drinks for yourself and some side dishes or chips, and head on over. Facebook event has the details. start time is 5PM at 503 Pall Mall St.  But before I arrive to my own birthday party, I'll be at the London North Optimist Center Skating rink from 1-4 PM to train intermediate/advanced skills with SmartyPants of the TXRD and the Forest City Derby Girls. I'm off right now to get it on our webiste at http://www.forestcityderbygirls.com. It's open to a small maximum cap, but other leagues are welcome, contact FCDG or anyaface@gmail.com for more info. Labels: event, FCDG, injuries, training
2009/07/13
FCDG Thames Fatales at RVRG Slaughter Daughters Jul 11, 2009 - the last road trip
 It's a good thing I decided to jump on the bus with the Thames Fatales this weekend for the trip to Ottawa, it's their last bus-required, long road trip of the 2009 season that is currently booked. My first derby trip on a bus full of my teammates, where last year, my first road trip to a training camp was to GMDD Vermont Training Camp with Big Tickets of HCRG. We pulled out a little after 7 with our team and support staff (like me, with my wrapped ankle and purple calf muscle) and even an angelic-faced baby rollergirl-to-be in tow. A big purple bus with a retired OPP Canine Unit officer, a friendly man named Kurt at the wheel to safely drive us all across Ontario for 7 hours. The road trip there included the reading of applications for the receipt of a green and white Trucker hat to wear for victory laps and post-game hair coverage, which ranged from team spirited to scandalous and hilarious. Of course there was sleeping and occasional hilarity, but the terribly rainy and stormy weather kept the skies interesting. We checked into our rooms and went to eat at a place called Al's near our hotel on Carling Ave in Ottawa, Ontario and though closing, they stayed open and the cooks there churning out quick eats for us all in record time with awesome pizza, and other quick eats for the girls to get some fuel for the game. A quick rest and dress to dry off, and we went to the game. My job was to setup the Merch table and sell merch for the first period and between periods, and post game pack up. In between I could watch the game. Unfortunately, the Thames Fatales were defeated by the tough-as-nails blocker line-ups and quick jammers on the line-ups for RVRG's Slaughter Daughters that night, but showed their own toughness by taking and giving some big hits, and not giving up; continuing to fight, even with the point spread was at its' largest. The final score was 150-77 for the RVRG Slaughter Daughters. The Thames will get a chance to reverse that outcome in a re-match this fall in London. For me, I found out the day I was injured at the gym, our team captain was contacting me to invite me to join the roster and play at this game, which was a crushing moment, but I was able to help the team with merch sales, so it's all good. I've got lots of time to recover, and improve even more, before the September date of the next game vs TriCity. The after party was a blast, though we had to wait to get in the location due to a busy BluesFest in Ottawa, but A poutine at 2 AM on a street, a fight, crazy pictures were AWESOME and Sunday morning hangovers were in effect and helped a few of us bond. The ride home was a long one, with sore muscles, bruises, welts, exhaustion, hang overs and painful injuries in knees and (my ankle) bruises from bumpy road vibrations being the main complaints, but a happy junk food day of rest area stops and Tim Horton's coffee. Sleeping, trashy magazines, and fun with tea bags and waking sleeping teammates was an afternoon past time (see my facebook for photos) and the defeated but tough and optimistic FCDG arrived back in London ready to get to practice this week, get the game video and start working on how to reverse that score when they meet the Slaughter Daughters in the Fall. For me, I'm walking and will start Yoga this week and try to rehab for a first day back to skating at a rookie practice next week. FCDG is recruiting! If you're in London, or know someone who is, that's female, 18+ and wants to give roller derby a try, tell them to let us know or visit the FCDG website! We would like to see a dozen more rookies to come into training for the 2010 season. 2009 is time to learn! Video from the bout is coming and will be here later tonight! Labels: bouts, FCDG, recruitment, RVRG, Travel
2009/07/09
FCDG Thames Fatales @ RVRG Slaughter Daughters and other derby weekend - and WHIP IT news
Hey Derby-luvvers. For anyone watching, I'm on the mend from that FUBAR-level chain of unfortunate events that led to my injuries this week. I'm walking again, albeit slowly, with a limp and with some pain management. But good news, I am good enough to get around so I'm packing up myself and crutches and joining the bus of Thames' that are headed to Ottawa to play Rideau Valley Rollergirls' Slaughter Daughters in "Slaughter in the City".  Details are on the RVRG website! The Game is Saturday July 11, Doors at 7, wheels at 8, with advance tickets available at multiple locations. Come on out and see us in Ottawa! What else is going on in Canadian roller derby this weekend, if you just can not get to Ottawa? In Toronto, you can check out Capital Punishment. The GTA Rollergirls (GTAR) Derby Debutantes take on the Ottawa Roller Derby's Capital Carnage in Toronto. If you are out in Alberta the CWRDA is putting on a bout of two games at the Sherwood Park Hockey Arena, of mixed scrimmage teams made up of Eville, OCDG, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, CRDA SRDL and Lacombe. 6:30 PM is all-girl and 8 PM is Co-Ed. Sounds like a great evening of roller derby! If you're out west in Vancouver this weekend, check out Roller Derby at Sunset Beach. A free roller derby event from the Terminal City Rollergirls. And if you are totally out of luck on all fronts, and can't get to a derby game, then drool on this: ComingSoon.net has provided the first photo of the upcoming Whip It from Drew Barrymore. I can't wait!  Yes, it's awesome to see Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page all geared up, and I'll refrain from any nit-picking, judging of what I see here for now - it's too exciting! Can't wait to see it! Labels: CWRDA, FCDG, injuries, RVRG, TCRG, whip it, wrapup
2009/05/24
Weekend wrap -up
Well derby luv fans, this weeked was pretty awesome. Not as good as playing roller derby and winning, but almost as good. Why, you say? Because I worked as a stats keeper (penalty keeper) for the refs of the bout on Saturday that was my team, the Thames Fatales, of the Forest City Derby Girls vs the GTA Rollergirls' Derby Debutantes. First off, it was a new experience. Other than the slippy-as-ice surface that almost requires outdoor wheels to prevent body flying across the floor that sugar water barely helps, and the cushion-covered pillars that are within the track safety allowance, the space is huge. I told you about when I wrote up the season ender last year in 2008. This time around, since I was too new to make the roster (after 2008 was on off-skate year, I'm back to fresh meat status.) I was a volunteer. Thanks for my derby experience, and the space-provided beer and snack sellers, I was given a job as a penalty-stats keeper so I got to be in center of the track watching the game between frantic referree penatly calls, and shouts. It gave me new perspective than I had as a player, or a fan. I got to see how hard it is to catch penalty moves in a frantic pack with a flying jammer, and how fast jams really are, and how much they do for us. Not only do they know the rules sometimes better than the players, and how to interpret them down to the various levels, but they volunteer their time, skate, train to keep up with the jammers on tight corners, and skate injured, just like us, but they seriously want to do a good job too! They travel with us, they setup our tracks and help take it down again. Just in case we don't say it enough, thanks refs! You guys rock, and we couldn't do it without you. Derby luv to all of ya! Ok, that said, the Thames dominated the game. Penalties were heavily on the Debs, but to be fair, the Thames were playing a few newer players that need to work on blocking rules and elbows. But we've all been there, right? Regardless, I got to see my team win and it was awesome! And Londoners are great, and the kids even come around for autographs - even mine! I had a couple beers when it was all over and headed home. Today I posted all the photos I took (sorry for the bad photo quality, I didn't notice a bad setting there), and updated the new Forest City Derby Girls website that I am the webmaster for. Other than that my legs are sore from a lot of walking and crouching last night, walking and gardening today and I hope to have a good practice tomorrow night if they can hold me in my "95". After seeing the game, I have a renewed fervor to train hard and get back, not only on a team roster, but onto the travel team. It will come. If not in 2009, then in 2010 it will be my year. On a side note, I was sad to hear that La Racaille in Montreal lost to CN Power on Saturday night. But I bet that was a fantastic game of roller derby. Reffrey Dalmer and I had a discussion about the La Racaille awesome power-blocking, and Iron Wrench's jamming before the game got started last night. But wow, CN Power is hitting the track hard these days too, I've seen them fight hard with HCRG and not MTLRD Beast of the East Champs. With MTLRD and Hammer City now WFTDA members, who is next? Have a good derby week everybody! Labels: bouts, FCDG, MTLRD, ToRD
2009/05/15
May 23 - ROLLERGEDDON London, ON - and more across Canada
 I've got only 10 tickets left in advance for this event on May 23rd in London, ON - ROLLERGEDDON is a FCDG home game against the Derby Debutantes of the GTARollergirls, Toronto, ON. Don't think just because FCDG isn't a member of WFTDA yet, or that GTA Rollergirls are still considered a newer team that this won't be a tough game. These teams have trained with the larger leagues out there, have been at Beast of the East with the likes of Montreal Roller Derby and HammerCity (Hamilton, ON), so they can kick it up just as good! After practice last night, my legs were screaming, so I know FCDG will ROCK! Besides, it's a great location and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere with a great party and beer garden in the same location! What more can you ask for in one night? Get your advance tickets from me, your favorite FCDG Rollergirl, or order online at westernfair.com . They are going fast! ($12 at the door, kids under 10 FREE, Licensed event). Let's say you just can't get to London, ON on May 23. Okay, I'll hand it to you, it may be too far for some folks east and west of us here in SW Ontario. So what else is going on next weekend? This weekend even? Start out East/EST:  Montreal's and Beast of the East Champs La Racaille are challenged in Montreal by CN Power, Toronto Roller Derby's powerhouse travel team in Provincial Skatred. Tickets are for sale at brownpapertickets.ca or at MTLRD sponsor locations in Montreal, if you don' t know any of the rollergirls. Just a note, tonight is CN Power's fundraiser, Quick and Dirty, to help them get to Montreal. HammerCity is holding a derby Bootcamp on May 20 and starting an 8 week derby 101 course for recruitment. Looks like TORD is also recruiting. Montreal's recruiting is closed, as usual, as the season is under way. FCDG is also recruiting and looking for London women that want to skate hard and hit harder.  Over 130 rollergirls from Toronto, ON to British Columbia's coast are this weekend in Red Deer Alberta for the CWRDA Boot Camp 2009. I so wanted to go, and I hope more leagues in Canada join the CWRDA and we can begin to gain some Canadian steam in Roller derby as members of WFTDA and CWRDA, opening the door for all women and all types of roller derby to come together. Well, that's the big derby news this weekend. Head to Red Deer this weekend, or go support TORD's CN Power, grab a bootcamp in Hamilton mid-week on your way to the May 23 ROLLERGEDDON bout in London, ON, and if travelling doesn't work for you, and you're out east, head to Montreal for the Provincial Skatred bout next weekend. Either way, today is the day you should buy tickets! Head to westerfair.com for FCDG tickets, and to Brownpapertickets.ca for MTL tickets. Support your local rollerderby! Labels: CWRDA, FCDG, GTA Rollergirls, Hammer City, MTLRD, wrapup
2009/05/14
FCDG Promotion and Other Roller Derby Promotion
It's so good to be back! Practice 3 with FCDG tonight. Looking forward to having Miss Anya Face push me through my paces tonight. I'll try to get a few more, "Nia, you kick ass!" from the ladies I get partnered up with and I'll keep trying to do better. In other news, last night I helped promote FCDG by appearing in a derby commercial (live commercial) during a Weezi fashion show last night in London, ON. We only had limited space to skate, but Commiekaze and I were able to hit Dollface Massacre and let her dramatically fall to the floor, and we got to join in with a "We're looking for Fresh Meat for Forest City Derby Girls!" climatic cheer. We flyered every table in the joint, but were not approached for tickets. Hard to get people to fork over cash when they are saving it for their beer that night, I guess. I hope I can sell some tickets this week and help FCDG recruit this season for next year!  In personal news, I can't tell I lost 18 pounds except in my face. I hate how I looked last night in pictures, but my co-worker (who just happens to know some of my FCDG teammates, and was a model in the show last night along with some of the FCDG girls and others, loves this photo of us. (Cropped for fitting and to cut out some things I can't show in public). I look like some crazy psycho trailer trash pale creature.... I don't even recognize me in there. I need a make over apparently. Oh well. No matter. I thought about how to promote roller derby in London, ON, and while I was perusing, I came across some very cool little videos. In honor of my new commitment to keep Derby Luv content coming from me ALL-Canadian, I won' t mention the fantastic PSA announcements by the Minnesota Rollergirls, (I'll let you find those yourself!) ;) I did laugh out loud though at the Montreal Roller Derby Promo spots out there now from MTL Roller Derby. My favorite is Coffee Break, but Walk in the Park is a close second. What a great way to have some fun and promote roller derby! My promotion will be my weight loss, fitness gains, and improvements in my confidence levels, as well as my continued drive to tell everyone I meet about roller derby and try to generate a larger audience, support, and knowledge about the game. I am also going to try to get the FCDG new website up this weekend if I can get league approval and I am going to ask if there are committees I can join to help out. Support your local roller derby people. The 2009 season is well underway and we need help to keep rolling. Buy and sell tickets, merchandise, play hard and skate harder and promote promote, promote! Labels: Derby Luv, FCDG, MTLRD
2009/05/13
200...CLEAR!...Charge to 300.... CLEAR!.... Nia Capps IS BACK!
Hey hey Derby Luvvers! I'm NOT dead! I didn't give up roller derby, for those that were worried when seeing my facebook posts, haven't seen me on myspace or twitter, or seen me anywhere online, but I did some soul searching in April. Why? I was completely exhausted. I've said it before, but never did I know what I was speaking of, because after a year of commuting 4 hours a day, getting up at 5 AM every weekday and then doing two trips in two weeks to Montreal and back to London, ON and moving two households in those two weeks, then jumping into a new neighborhood and job location and schedule and going to my first practice in MONTHS and feeling like I was going to die... well... it took a little reset button for Nia Capps to revive herself. I needed an internal defribliator, so to speak. The 411: after a year almost completely off-skate I had stopped exercising and dieting. Gained 35 pounds. Stayed in shape in the gym LUCKILY, lost derby balance, skate stance endurance in back and ankles, shin splints recurred. But, now I'm all settled in, getting back to myself. I decided I was CRAZY to even think of giving up on roller derby after all it has done for me, all it gives me, how it makes me feel better about myself and the rest of the world around me, and because I'm just not done. I've never: Gone to RollerCon
Been on a Travel/All Star Team
Been a member of WFTDA or OSDA (I left Montreal before they became WFTDA member league)
Played in another country (I did practice once!)
Won an award at an awards ceremony I have lots more to do, and I'm not too old to do it, even if I am turning a WHOPPING 35 this year. As of last weekend, I am back down 18 pounds. I'm in the gym, on a very healthy diet and am on my own version of a biggest loser challenge. I want to have people join me. Watch here if you want to come with me.
What's next? First, I've made it through a good practice with FCDG and paid my dues and will be at all the practices I can get a ride to and am allowed to attend as fresh meat. Second, I'm back in love with derby so derby luv is back. Last, tonight, I get to assist with recruitment for FCDG by appearing in a Retro Fashion Show for WEEZI at The Ceeps in London, ON. FCDG is doing a live commercial in a break of the Family Feud-inspired fashion-show skit. What a COOL idea! Let me know if you're in London and ever thought about playing roller derby or learning to skate. I'll help! I'm also working on a FCDG website to launch as soon as I can nail down some pictures since I'm new to the league, and I'll be working the bout on May 23 here in London, ON. Watch here for bout info! Thanks for not forgetting about Derby Luv and for being patient while I got my life and derby under control. I'm back! Here's to the rest of 2009 being a great derby adventure! Labels: Derby Luv, FCDG
2009/02/22
2009 Derby Season News - FCDG - and my new hair!
 Well folks, I am happily walking around with a new haircut, which no photo I took of it could really tell you how I feel about it or how cool it is. Thanks to Saranda, a hair designer at the salon in Jackson Square Mall in Hamilton, ON, I am back to looking as young as I feel. Of course, she had the super-hot straightener and the wax to make it shine... but I can deal with it. Ignore my stupid smile (my derby widow made me do it), the hair that was blown out of place, and just check out the MTLRD, Contrabanditas and SmallMarketSports.com banners and the Alouettes pom pom on my wall.... Love it! Ok anyway, here's my excitement for this weekend - apart from knowing lots of derby went on this weekend that I failed to talk about (sorry) - I just read up on the FCDG 2009 Season Schedule this afternoon on facebook, and am happy to hear that FCDG has consolidated into a single team as the Thames Fatales and is doing home and away games this year with teams from the Ontario region, plus Beast of the East in Montreal. It's a long season with the last confirmed date in November 2009, with lots of time to fit in other events and training, and I can only hope as fresh meat on an already 17-member roster, that I'll get to play. I hope so! If you're in London and you are into roller derby, please consider joining the league as a player, ref or volunteer! I'd post the roster and the schedule here, but I'd like to get the permission of the FCDG first, so I'll just for now leave you with a link to the f acebook group with the schedule posting for the Thames Fatales. In the meantime, I move in T-39 days to London, ON and it's going to be very busy in March and April with both derby and non-derby stuff. Beast of the East 2009 in Montreal is T-60 days away! I started the couch to 5K running program at Week 1 last week. I hope to be running 5 K in 30 minutes by April 30, 2009. I hope to be skating at least 3 times in March, and 3 times per week starting in April. If I can't play, I'll be training, so WTF?! And in other news, I am waiting for a roller derby DVD arrival to review for you, and I am working on figuring out how to manage Derbyluv this year. The blogging, the comics, the interviews.... I have a possible interviewer for rollergirls headed into Derby Luv soon with a jam-skating history and a possible new blogger from the UK. If you would like to become a roller derby blogger, contact me! Your league and region will thank you! Labels: Derby Luv, FCDG, training
2009/01/31
OMG - January is over?!
OMG! January is over! I can't believe how time is flying. It's been over 4 months since I became a non-smoking rollergirl-to-be-again, and a month since I re-committed myself to training for 2009. I've lost 2-3 inches from my waistline, and 3 from my hips, and can jog again without shin pain.... so I'm ready to go back to skating if I can find some wood or concrete to put my wheels on under all this ice and snow! I'll know within a week if I get my new apartment in London, ON, and I'm waiting for some news from FCDG on particulars like, What minimum skill levels do I have to pass to play in April? What days are practices? How much are dues? You know, all that kinda need to know, but organizational info about a new league... Hey I may already know roller derby, but I'll be a rookie in FCDG, so I'm getting to have a new derby experience this year! My previous rookie year was with MTLRD when we were all rookies together. I am so proud that I was part of the first season of MTLRD and that they are the first Canadian Roller Derby league to officially become a WFTDA league. If other Canadian teams want to join, what's holding them up? I'll see if I can find out! Well, let's not dwell on me all damn day - you need to get to doing derby stuff, so here's the current Facebook Event listing for you - Yes, I know you are all on Facebook.... But PING.FM is the best for status updates everywhere at once! Today, January 31 at 6:45pm Ottawa's first ROLLER DERBY GAME!!!!!!!Game at 7:30pm EST - The ByTown Blackhearts (Ottawa, ON) vs the Montreal Sexpos (MTLRD's B-Team - Montreal, QC) I would so be going if I had a car! 6 hours drive, who cares?! I like those Ottawa girls, but I have to be all pro-MTLRD for this one, Let's GO Sexpos! Tomorrow, February 1 at 12:00pm Roller Derby at the Coliseum! Mad Rollin' Dolls in Madison, WI host the Quad Squad vs. Reservoir Dolls and The Chicago Outfit vs. Unholy Rollers The Mad Rollin' Dolls always put on good derby events! Tomorrow, February 1 at 10:00am Northern Brisbane Rollers INTAKE DAY10 Am to 2 PM all Fresh Meat and Interested new rollergirls training day! Tomorrow, February 1 at 2:00pm Public Skate Ottawa Roller Derby is hosting a public skate on inlines or renting out quads to try tomorrow in Ottawa. Sounds like a fun day of skatin' to music. Out in Western Canada, you can get tickets now to see Oil City versus the LA Derby Dolls in Feb! Visit Oil City for more info. I wish I could see this one!  Have a happy derby weekend, everybody, and please ....check out your local derby events tonight! Later! - Nia Labels: FCDG, MTLRD, roller derby, roller skating, training, WFTDA, wrapup
2009/01/24
Roller Derby Saturday!
I'm off to London, Ontario today to look around and look at a possible new home. Never fear, there is always a derby motive behind everywhere I go too. I'll swing by the FCDG practice space, and the event center in the daytime to find it and clock the KM from the possible new home... I mean, I need to know if I have to bus, drive, bike or can skate from my house to derby practice, right! I did want to pop in and give you 4 events you can check out tonight... all are facebook events..... Today, January 24 at 5:00pm Carolina Rollergirls All-Stars vs. Naptown ; Bootleggers vs. Duchland in Raleigh NC. Today, January 24 at 5:30pm Lock Block & Two Smokin Bouts!! in Pittsburgh, PA Today, January 24 at 6:00pm ARRG Trivia Night - Saturday, January 24th! Arch Rival Event in Maplewood, MO. Today, January 24 at 8:00pm Betties Fun-raiser Party! and for all us Eastern Canadians, you have plenty of time (like 12 hours) to get out to T.O. for the Betties Fun-Raiser. I know there are other events, but I gotta go get my day going and get rolling to London. If you're on facebook today and know of any London, ON sites I should go check out, send the address to my facebook! If you can't get to these events, find your own local roller derby and see what's goin on! Derby Luv to ya! Labels: FCDG, Travel, wrapup
2009/01/16
New British Columbia Roller Derby League, and the start of the 2009 Season
Well, here we are, already at the mid-point of January. It's 2009 people! In Nia Capps news, I'm on my way next week to look at a new place to live in lovely, London, Ontario, in a nice suburbia neighborhood near a mall for easy shopping, and 1 bus to work until I get a car. Now to figure out roller derby. I have to get my RSC insurance updated, as it expired Dec 31. SufferJet, of Forest City Derby Girls, in London has graciously offered to let me pre-renew as a FCDG, since I do plan to join when I get there in April. Once that's done, I have to plan to get to London as soon as possible so I can get to practicing with the team so I can hopefully get ready for the Beast of the East 2009 in Montreal. (IF FCDG is going, if I can play, etc). I'm nervous about joining a new league..... In training news, I've gotten back to a healthy diet, and lots of exercise including Yoga, cardio (running and biking), and a challenge that involves tough circuit training of hundreds of crunches, pushups, getups, and all those killer old-fashioned, effective moves. I'm ready to skate as soon as the ice melts! Now, across North America, January marks the beginning of the new year, and the new derby season, usually. There are already games going on, and schedules are already planned, and TBD insertions are going to be frantically worked by the Interleague Relations people on leagues everywhere to confirm those last minute game contracts, and figure out the final schedules. Those leagues that are 100% done already... kudos! In British Columbia, a new league is debuting Saturday afternoon in Prince George, BC. The Rated PG Roller Girls will play their first exhibition game at the local Civic Center, and if you want to check it out, hurry. It looks like it may be a sold out crowd. Good Luck Rated PG Roller Girls! In Ontario, a new league in Thunder Bay, Ontario is just getting rolling. I'm paying attention to what's happening and I'll get back to you when I see them moving along. In other January news: In the US: 1) National Anthem Tryouts for the Arch Rival Rollergirls in St Louis, MO are Jan 18 and 26. If you want to sing the National Anthem to a derby crowd, go dust off your pipes and sing your heart out! 2) The CT Rollergirls have The Iron Angels vs the Widowmakers tomorrow on the 17th in Woodbridge, CT. The CT Rollergirls are throwing their entire league into mixed teams for all of their home games this year. Note: This is not the first time I've heard this for 2009. Alot of teams that want to be more competitive are going all out to get their star players to a new level, and are doing more relaxed play at home, and saving the hardcore play for WFTDA games with their travel and all-star teams. Competitively smart, sure! With limited player resources, and many times, a packed game schedule for roller derby girls that still work full-time jobs and pay for their own travel and membership in the league... it makes sense. Plus, the home games that are only your league, give your skaters a chance to play that are newer, or that aren't able to play with the travel and all star teams for whatever reason. I'm torn on the idea right now, I'll get back to you on this topic. Ok, well in Derby Luv news: the comic is fun to write! And hey, we're ready for additional bloggers to join this year from Western Canada, the UK, and the US. So if you want to become a Derby Luv blogger and tell us about your derby life, or interview other derby folks, just give us a shout! In 2009, I hope to bring you more derby, and more fun, so stay tuned! Labels: beast of the east, FCDG, wrapup
2008/11/16
New England Regional Skills Clinic presented by GMDD
There are 6 more sleeps until the kick-off of the Green Mountain Derby Dames (GMDD) New England Regional Skills Clinic with Bonnie D. Stroir and Bully Julie of the San Diego Derby Dolls on Nov 22-23 in Burlington, Vermont. (actually the local is in Essex Junction, VT). You can still register for the inexpensive event ($55 registration includes a box lunch both days, and USARS insurance will be available for Canadian and newbie skaters.) And about the Canadian Roller Derby skaters, there will be a full-fledged invasion of Canada into this event. There are MTLRD (Montreal) , HCRG (Hamilton, ON) and FCDG (London, ON) attendees I know of personally, and I believe there may be some others. I am excited to be heading out Friday for the two day event!! So get your gear, book your hotel, and get your butt to Vermont next weekend! If you can't make it, just stop by here, Friday for the pre-trip, Saturday night for a day 1 write up, and Monday for full updates from the party, Day 2, and my road trip experiences. Labels: FCDG, GMDD, HCRG, MTLRD, training, Travel
2008/10/19
Skate of the ... Thames Fatales!
 Welcome to London, Ontario, also know as The Forest City, home of the Forest City Derby Girls. Back in the days, we first saw the London Thrashers, and then les Thames Fatales were born as the second team for FCDG. I first saw FCDG at The Beast of the East in Montreal back in April, and I was excited to see how they had progressed since the first of the season, because I hadn't been fortunate enough to be in contact with SufferJet (the league president) or any of the London derby girls, since the Beast, so I wasn't sure what their season had been like. So with complete joy, I popped into the Fairgrounds events parking lot, and was quite pleased with the location. Large parking areas, foot traffic, crowded area... very nice. Then, I walked in, grabbed a program and the first thing I noticed was that there was a large beer "garden" to my right, a stage setup behind that, a court with team locations on the far wall, and bleacher stands to the right of me, and suicides at the far end of the track. Not bad. A slippery concrete floor concerned me, and pillars that were a foot outside the 10 foot safety mark concerned me more. Seemed scary and a little dangerous. But, the smart hockey town, has a mini-zamboni on hand, and had coated the track in sugar water to make it more sticky, so it turned out not bad... 
Ok, so to the important stuff, the bout. First off, London is not a very large league, and they have had to play with short teams (less than 10 players) and due to that hindrance, they have had to shorten their bouts to 3 X 15 minute periods. It made for a noticably shorter period, and added a bit of a challenge, as the teams had much less time to catch up with time for 2-3 less jams in each period.
The crowd had filled in nicely, and Stone Mason, the main announcer, introduced the refs that were made up of refs from FCDG and included visiting volunteer refs from ToRD, HCRG, and I think the other was Kitchener. (Tri-City). I had met some Tri-City girls in the parking lot before the game, and they are gearing up and preparing for their game against the Montreal B-Team (The Montreal Sexpos) next week. Nervous but looking like they can handle it.... I look forward to seeing what they got next week.  Anyway, the bout started out and from what I could see at first, The London Thrashers and Thames Fatales are pretty equally matched. Both list quite a few girls as jammers, pivots, and blockers so they all have a lot of well-rounded skaters. The first period seemed to be a bit of a challenge, with the slippery floor causing some slowness to the pack, and falls that left a couple of players catching their breath. But what became evident is that it took that first period for the teams to kick in strategic thinking. It was 21-19 score in favor of the Thrashers at the end of the first period.
 For period two, the speeds improved, I saw better blocking in the pack, and jammer strategies began to emerge, with jams called off strategically and some walls forming in the packs by the blockers. By the third period, Thames Fatales had pulled into the lead and were headed for the win.
The turning point was a jam in the late second period (I think it was late 2nd anyway), when 3 of the Thrashers blockers were piled into the penalty box all at once, leaving the Thames' jammer to skate through an almost empty pack and pile on 8 -12 points. During the third period, the Thrashers kicked it up a notch, and I saw one massive wall formed at the head of the pack that was only broken up by Thames' Anita Martini (I earlier wrote this as Anita Margarita, but I think Anita forgave me) , too late, as the jam ended just after. There was some hard blocking by the Thames' Annie Takers #5678 in period 1 (Thanks for getting me Annie's name, Anita!) The Thames Fatales' MVP had to be SufferJet with some very impressive jams under her belt.
Wanna see a video of one of the jams?
The Thames Fatales took the championship in front of the large hometown crowd in London, and that will end the season for FCDG until next year. Next week, its Tri-City vs Montreal Sexpos.... another derby weekend on the way!
Labels: bouts, FCDG, Travel
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