Time to roll! CBR Roller Derby kicks off

Posted on 28 March, 2015

The Canberra Roller Derby League (CRDL) 2015 season opener is today, Saturday 28 March. The first bout of the year will see 2014 league champions the Surly Griffins take on the Red Bellied Black Hearts. The captains and vice-captains of both teams shared their thoughts with me ahead of the bout; here’s what they had to say.

LegoLass (aka Kerry Kopras), captain of the Black Hearts

Why did you join the CRDL? What did it take to get on a team?

My first experience with roller derby was back in April 2011 when I managed to buy tickets to the Red Bellied Black Hearts V Brindabelters. I was so excited that there was a sport that combined roller skates and body contact, I signed up to the mailing list that night and was lucky to get into the social skate and then ‘fresh meat’ program.

The 2011 intake had over 40 skaters, we were very competitive with ourselves and with each other. CRDL operates a system where you need to pass each level (called stars) to begin learning new skills and gradually gaining enough experience to be able to bout competently and safely. My first social skate was in May 2011 and my debut bout was March 2012.

A usual week for me this year is seven hours on skates training with the league. I try to do off skates fitness and I have about two or three hours of admin work.

Roller derby has provided me with so many opportunities. What it means to me the most is that I’m showing my children that you can be successful at whatever you put your mind to achieving. They know that mum has an interest outside of the house, that mum is interested in being fit and healthy and that at the end of the day it’s not if you win or lose, but that you gave it your best. Playing roller derby means that I can be a good role model for my children.

My passion for roller derby is triggered by many things, sometimes I’m motivated by the thrill of derby its self, the social interactions with all of my derby friends, the personal challenge of getting fitter and better, my desire to contribute to and be part of a great community and honestly sometimes I’m only there because I have to be.

My favourite position is jamming [the main point-scorer], I like that my focus is on moving forwards. Whilst I enjoy the physical challenge of trying to get past blockers, I thrive on the mental challenge of not giving up no matter what or who is in front of me. I don’t always succeed, but I always try again harder next time.

How did you come up with your derby name, what does it mean?

My husband came up with my name; it combines my love of LEGO and the Lord of the Rings.

What are your hopes for your team this year?

This year for me is about setting the foundation for a stronger team in the years to come. I am looking forward to incorporating and growing the newest members of the Hearts, once our ‘fresh meat’ skaters have been drafted. Derby gives you a great opportunity to teach and to learn every time you put on skates. Of course, the Hearts are so awesome that we’ll win a game or two along the way.

Harlot O’Scara (aka Kylie Hughes), Surly Griffins captain and jammer

I joined [the CRDL] because I was looking to try something different and a full contact sport played on quad skates certainly fit that criteria! I saw a CRDL game and was hooked. It took many hours on skates, just skating on outdoor courts and around Lake Burly Griffin, teaching myself how to skate. When I started training with CRDL it was initially an eight-week beginners course. There were tryouts at the end of this and THEN another six months before we were ready to bout. Let’s just say a lot of practice in that first year. [Now] I spend seven to nine hours on skates a week training. I try to fit in another two to three hours off skates building strength and fitness.

What does roller derby mean to you?

Being in roller derby means I have a drive to improve. I think anyone who plays a competitive sport would feel that. I feel empowered by playing this sport. It has developed my confidence and allows me to be a role model for my children and students. A rolling role model! Lastly it means I am part of an awesome community of people who otherwise I might not have known.

I think my passion is driven by my competitive nature. Also it’s a hell of a lot of fun!

Where does your derby name come from?

It’s a play on Scarlett O’Hara, and Gone with the Wind is an epic movie. Scarlett was a pretty determined woman, she was stubborn and totally driven to get what she wanted. I dig that. Also it was a joke derby name mentioned in the animated comedy The Family Guy. I don’t like to take myself too seriously.

My favourite position is lead jammer [the main scoring position]! Because you are in charge.

In 2015 I hope the Griffins will continue to build on our success from last season. I hope we can develop new skaters and roles within the team. Above all, I’m looking forward to having a super time with some of the best women I know.

Drakecula (aka Jess Drake), Surly Griffins vice captain and blocker

Why did you join CRDL?

I’ve always liked roller-skating and team sports are fun! It took a long time to build up skills and strength to be able to play a game. To be eligible to play in games you have to complete star level tests to show you are competent in required skills.

I train on skates three to four times a week, off skates I put in a few hours at the gym as well as many hours doing behind the scenes work for the league. I’m on our Media committee where I help manage our social media and website, as well as the merchandise committee.

For me, roller derby means being fit and strong, working with teammates to enact strategies, being part of a worldwide community. Being on skates is just so much fun! It’s easy to be passionate about something when CRDL is full of wonderful league-mates coming together and making derby happen.

My favourite position is blocker because I enjoy helping shut down the opposition with a solid block. There’s no better compliment then an opposing skater getting frustrated with me being in their way all the time.

How did you come up with your derby name?

I didn’t come up with my name. I had been trying to come up with names for a while, when one day a colleague appeared at my desk with the name written on a piece of paper pronouncing it in a cool commentator-style voice (thanks, Ian!). I thought it was brilliant as it was a play on my own name, as well as being a link to one of my favourite books. My number, 1897, is the year Dracula was published.

What are your hopes for the team in 2015?

I hope the Griffins can continue on our winning streak of course, as we have much to live up to as reigning champions. I also am looking forward to when our new ‘fresh meat’ get drafted to teams, as getting new teammates will be very exciting. We have much to teach them!

FaunaCat (aka Samantha Vertucci), Red Bellied Black Hearts vice captain and jammer/blocker2

Why did you join the CRDL? What did it take to get on a team?

I’d gone to see a bout in Sydney back in 2009 and it looks like heaps of fun. I did a ‘fresh meat’ course with CRDL as soon as I moved back to Canberra to start my honours year at ANU. It took a lot of training to learn how to play contact and to pick up on the strategy and teamwork aspects as I had very little other sporting experience. I chose my derby name, Fauna, because I’m an ecologist!

Now I do around six hours of on-skates training plus plenty of associated driving time, admin and communications. Bouts are additional [time] but make it all worthwhile.

To me, roller derby means community, fitness, challenge. My passion comes from my love of skating, speed and teamwork.

What’s your favourite position and why?

I love being a communicator in the pack – it’s so satisfying to enact a strategy that earns us or saves us points.

What are your hopes for your team this year?

I want us to develop our strategy and teamwork, build our ranks, and just generally have a fun year. Winning would be alright too.

So get down to the Southern Cross Stadium in Tuggeranong to see the ladies in action. Wear green to support the Griffs or red and black for the Hearts!

The essentials 

What: Canberra Roller Derby League 2015 season opener
When: 5pm, Saturday 28 March
Where: Southern Cross Stadium in Tuggeranong
Cost: $12 adults, $7.50 kids, $30 family (2 adults/2 kids) through Moshtix
More info: www.crdl.com.au