53 in 53 in 2014 – updated December 1, 2014

Round round get around I get around

Derby, the final frontier. Welcome to 2014 as we try boldly one more time for 52 in 52.

Keep checking my Flickr site at Midnight Matinee for the latest Derby photos and more!

As a brief intro: we are based in the city of Toronto, Ontario which happens to be in Canada. This particular province has more than 50 leagues and have the considerable pleasure of being able to consider many of the leagues as friends and have the privilege of shooting in their rinks or arenas. We endeavour to hit the road in all directions, and many times that includes south of the border. Last year for the first time we hit the WFTDA D1 and D2 playoffs and culminating in the WFTDA Championships themselves in Madison, Wisconsin.

Latest update as of October 14, 2014: Survived Team Ontario Bootcamp in Kingston, Ontario. Five classes of top notch players and coaches providing the drills, then a black and white scrimmage with Team Ontario dispersed with the attendees. Lots of learning and thinking.  

Latest update as of October 8, 2014: We’re back home again after our second WFTDA D1 playoffs of the year at Salt Lake City, Utah. Not quite safe and not quite sound. We endure. Next stop: somewhere in Kingston for the Team Ontario Bootcamp and Team Ontario vs. Team Ontario scrimmage.

R M R G Rocky Mountain Roller Girls at WFTDA D1 Salt Lake City, UTAH The home of Wasatch

Latest update as of August 12, 2014: Hello again! The road experience intensifies as we enjoyed a most memorable night amongst Detroit Derby Girls at their end of year Rollies Awards commemorating 9 years of existence. Way to go DDG! The overnight bus back to Toronto and then up to Elora, Ontario to witness the Fergus Feims engage the Border City Brawlers from Windsor, Ontario in a tough and tightly competitive bout falling 153-157 at the last jam.  Next up: Ohio.

The end of the longest weekend in Fergus

New Skids on the Block @ Quad City Chaos 2014

This derby nomad looks forward to visiting familiar and new friends and facing new adventures in newer territories. There might be an occasional break in the schedule to give the camera and lights a respite. However, we are still endeavouring to shoot derby every week if possible, so if you want to keep the streak going and have Derby happening in your league and if we can get there, feel free to drop me a line!

Team Ontario at The Bunker on February 8, 2014

 

1. Thursday, December 4 – Sunday December 7, 2014 – Blood and Thunder World Cup – Dallas, Texas
2. Saturday, November 15, 2014 – The ORG and TMRD vs. The World – Toronto Outrage vs. The World [co-ed] / Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Royal City Rollergirls The Brute-Leggers – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, Ontario
3. Saturday, November 8, 2014 – Hoser Closer 2 – [Alliston Jr. Roller Derby] Blister Sisters vs. [Niagara Junior Roller Derby] Midway Mayhem /Bombshell Battalion vs. South Simcoe – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, Ontario
4. Friday, OCT. 31 – Sunday, NOV. 2: WFTDA Championships – NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA
5. Saturday, October 25, 2014 – NATIONAL GUARD Feat: Team Canada, Team Ontario, Misfit Militia, Bay Street Bruisers – Alliston, ONTARIO
6. Friday, October 24, 2014 – Camp Pivotstar Junior Eastern Jamboroee – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
7. Saturday, October 18, 2014 – BLOCKTOBERFEST – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Kingston Rogue Warriors – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, ONTARIO
8. Saturday, October 11, 2014 – Team Ontario Bootcamp – Kingston, ONTARIO
9. Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Salt Lake City, UT
10. Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Evansville, IN
11. Sunday, September 14, 2014 – Death Track Dolls vs. Total Vicious Tramps #2 / Smoke City Betties vs. Total Vicious Tramps #1 – Moses Springer Arena, Kitchener, ONTARIO
12. Saturday, September 13, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Capital City Dollinquents / Bay Street Bruisers vs. Muddy River – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
13. Saturday, September 6, 2014 – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Durham Motor City Madames – Orangeville, ONTARIO
14. Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 2 Playoffs – Waterloo Memorial Arena, Kitchener-Waterloo, ONTARIO
15. Saturday, August 16, 2014 – Cincinnati Rollergirls vs. Ohio Roller Girls – Ohio Expo Centre – Columbus, OHIO
16. Saturday, August 9, 2014 – Fergus Feims [Home 153] vs. Border City Brawlers [Away 157] – Elora, ONTARIO
17. Friday, August 8, 2014 – Detroit Derby Girls Rollie Awards – Detroit, MI
18. Saturday, July 26, 2014 – 4th Annual Gibson’s  Cup – Atom Smashers vs. Motor City Madames / Juniors Scrimmage Black vs. White [Alliston Junior Roller

    Derby and Toronto Junior Roller Derby] – Ajax Memorial Arena – Ajax,ONTARIO

    

    4th Annual Gibson’s Cup – July 26, 2014

19. Saturday, July 19, 2014 – S*M*A*S*H – triple header – Fergus Feims [Fergus Roller Derby] vs. Luscious Lunch Ladies [Forest City Derby Girls] / Misfit Militia [Misfit Militia Roller Derby] vs. Timber Rollers [Forest City Derby Girls] / Crow City [Crow City Roller Girls] vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, ONTARIO
20. Saturday, July 12, 2014 – Hammer City Harlots vs. Ithaca BlueStockings / HCRG Eh! vs. Ithaca SufferJets – Dave Andreychuk Arena – Hamilton, ONTARIO
21. Saturday, July 5, 2014 – JRDA North & Northeast Tournament – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
22. Saturday, June 28, 2014 – Burning River vs. Lake Effect Furies / Ithaca League of Junior Derby vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
23. Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22,2014-ECDX2014-Feasterville,PAzzzzzzz
    

    The orange of Tiger Baby Brawlers at ECDX 2014

24. Saturday, June 7, 2014 – Queen City Roller Girls Championships – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
25. Saturday, May 31, 2014 – Crow City Roller Girls vs.TheDecapulettes – Stratford Allen Arena, Stratford, ONTARIO
    

    The Decapulettes vs. Crow City Roller Girls * last jam over

26. Saturday, May 24, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby doubleheader – Total Knock-Outs vs. Vicious Dishes / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Venus Fly Tramps – Waterloo Rec Centre, Waterloo,ONTARIO
    

    Lippy Wrongstocking – Vicious Dishes how do derby players recognize photos of themselves?

27. Sunday, May 18, 2014 – TMRD vs. Betties/Misfits/Orangeville – The Bunker – Downsview Park, ONTARIO
28. Saturday, May 17, 2014 – School of Hard Blocks – Area 705 Smooth Operators vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames / Atom Smashers vs. Capital City Dollinquents – Douro Community Centre – Douro, Ontario
29. Saturday, May 10, 2014 – Mother of All Bouts – Rogue Warriors vs. Skateful Dead / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Les Duchesses – Kingston, Ontario
30. Saturday, May 3, 2014 – Brides vs. Grooms Coed Scrimmage – Mount Forest, ONTARIO
31. Saturday, May 3, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Fergus Feims – Centre Wellingston Sportsplex – Fergus, ONTARIO
32. Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, April 27, 2014 – Beast of the East, Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
33. Friday, April 25, 2014 – CN Power vs. Montreal New Skids on the Block – Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
34. Saturday, April 19, 2014 – Border City Brawlers vs. Fergus Feims / Canadian Clubbers vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Windsor, ONTARIO
35. Sunday, April 13, 2014 – Toronto Roller Derby Fresh Meat – The Bunker, Downsview Park, ONTARIO
36. Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby Home Opener – Brandywine Belligerents vs. Tri-City Thunder / Brandywine Brawlers vs. Plan B – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
37. Sunday, March 30, 2014 – Freaks vs. Geeks Spring Scrimmage – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
38. Saturday, March 29, 2014 – Timber Rollers vs. G-stars, Los Coños vs. Thames Fatales – Western Fair Agriplex – London, ONTARIO
39. Saturday, March 22 – Sunday March 23,2014-QuadCityChaos-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO
    

    Quad City Chaos 2010 at The Hangar

40. Sunday, March 16, 2014 – CN Power vs.Killamazoo DerbyDarlins-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO
    

    CN Power vs. Killamazoo Derby Darlins at The Bunker
    March 16, 2014

41. Saturday, March 15, 2014 – Derby Debutantes vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Orangeville, ONTARIO
42. Sunday, March 9, 2014 – CN Power vs. Tri-City Roller Girls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
43. Sunday, March 9, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
44. Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Chicks Ahoy vs. Smoke City Betties / Death Track Dolls vs. Gore Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
45. Sunday, February 25, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby Toronto Outrage vs. Queen City Roller Girls Nickel City Knockouts – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
46. Saturday, February 24, 2014 – Beat the Winter Blues! Scrimmage and Training – Toronto Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
47. Sunday, February 16, 2014 – Bloody Valentine Co-ed Scrimmage – Orangeville, Ontario
48. Saturday, February 8, 2014 – CN Power vs. Team Ontario – The Bunker, Toronto, Ontario
49. Sunday, February 2, 2014 – NCKO practice / Suicidal Saucies practice / Alley Kats practice – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / Buffalo, NY
50. Saturday, February 1, 2014 – Alley Kats vs. Suicidal Saucies / Enchanted Mountain vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / North Tonawanda, NY
51. Saturday, January 25, 2014 – Alliston Blister Sisters vs. Torontosaurus Wrex / Chicks Ahoy! vs. Gore-Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, Ontario
52. Saturday, January 18, 2014 – Devil’s Night Dames vs. Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI
53. Saturday, January 11, 2014 – Devil Dollies vs. Nickel City Knockouts – Rainbow Rink, Queen City Rollergirls / North Tonawanda, NY

---

Thank you to Pack It Up! for their lovely words and recognition. Click here.

photo credit: Meg Mckenna

Thanks Derby!

53 in 53 in 2014 – updated December 1, 2014

Round round get around I get around

Derby, the final frontier. Welcome to 2014 as we try boldly one more time for 52 in 52.

Keep checking my Flickr site at Midnight Matinee for the latest Derby photos and more!

As a brief intro: we are based in the city of Toronto, Ontario which happens to be in Canada. This particular province has more than 50 leagues and have the considerable pleasure of being able to consider many of the leagues as friends and have the privilege of shooting in their rinks or arenas. We endeavour to hit the road in all directions, and many times that includes south of the border. Last year for the first time we hit the WFTDA D1 and D2 playoffs and culminating in the WFTDA Championships themselves in Madison, Wisconsin.

Latest update as of October 14, 2014: Survived Team Ontario Bootcamp in Kingston, Ontario. Five classes of top notch players and coaches providing the drills, then a black and white scrimmage with Team Ontario dispersed with the attendees. Lots of learning and thinking.  

Latest update as of October 8, 2014: We’re back home again after our second WFTDA D1 playoffs of the year at Salt Lake City, Utah. Not quite safe and not quite sound. We endure. Next stop: somewhere in Kingston for the Team Ontario Bootcamp and Team Ontario vs. Team Ontario scrimmage.

R M R G Rocky Mountain Roller Girls at WFTDA D1 Salt Lake City, UTAH The home of Wasatch

Latest update as of August 12, 2014: Hello again! The road experience intensifies as we enjoyed a most memorable night amongst Detroit Derby Girls at their end of year Rollies Awards commemorating 9 years of existence. Way to go DDG! The overnight bus back to Toronto and then up to Elora, Ontario to witness the Fergus Feims engage the Border City Brawlers from Windsor, Ontario in a tough and tightly competitive bout falling 153-157 at the last jam.  Next up: Ohio.

The end of the longest weekend in Fergus

New Skids on the Block @ Quad City Chaos 2014

This derby nomad looks forward to visiting familiar and new friends and facing new adventures in newer territories. There might be an occasional break in the schedule to give the camera and lights a respite. However, we are still endeavouring to shoot derby every week if possible, so if you want to keep the streak going and have Derby happening in your league and if we can get there, feel free to drop me a line!

Team Ontario at The Bunker on February 8, 2014

 

1. Thursday, December 4 – Sunday December 7, 2014 – Blood and Thunder World Cup – Dallas, Texas
2. Saturday, November 15, 2014 – The ORG and TMRD vs. The World – Toronto Outrage vs. The World [co-ed] / Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Royal City Rollergirls The Brute-Leggers – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, Ontario
3. Saturday, November 8, 2014 – Hoser Closer 2 – [Alliston Jr. Roller Derby] Blister Sisters vs. [Niagara Junior Roller Derby] Midway Mayhem /Bombshell Battalion vs. South Simcoe – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, Ontario
4. Friday, OCT. 31 – Sunday, NOV. 2: WFTDA Championships – NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA
5. Saturday, October 25, 2014 – NATIONAL GUARD Feat: Team Canada, Team Ontario, Misfit Militia, Bay Street Bruisers – Alliston, ONTARIO
6. Friday, October 24, 2014 – Camp Pivotstar Junior Eastern Jamboroee – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
7. Saturday, October 18, 2014 – BLOCKTOBERFEST – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Kingston Rogue Warriors – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, ONTARIO
8. Saturday, October 11, 2014 – Team Ontario Bootcamp – Kingston, ONTARIO
9. Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Salt Lake City, UT
10. Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Evansville, IN
11. Sunday, September 14, 2014 – Death Track Dolls vs. Total Vicious Tramps #2 / Smoke City Betties vs. Total Vicious Tramps #1 – Moses Springer Arena, Kitchener, ONTARIO
12. Saturday, September 13, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Capital City Dollinquents / Bay Street Bruisers vs. Muddy River – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
13. Saturday, September 6, 2014 – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Durham Motor City Madames – Orangeville, ONTARIO
14. Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 2 Playoffs – Waterloo Memorial Arena, Kitchener-Waterloo, ONTARIO
15. Saturday, August 16, 2014 – Cincinnati Rollergirls vs. Ohio Roller Girls – Ohio Expo Centre – Columbus, OHIO
16. Saturday, August 9, 2014 – Fergus Feims [Home 153] vs. Border City Brawlers [Away 157] – Elora, ONTARIO
17. Friday, August 8, 2014 – Detroit Derby Girls Rollie Awards – Detroit, MI
18. Saturday, July 26, 2014 – 4th Annual Gibson’s  Cup – Atom Smashers vs. Motor City Madames / Juniors Scrimmage Black vs. White [Alliston Junior Roller
    Derby and Toronto Junior Roller Derby] – Ajax Memorial Arena – Ajax,ONTARIO

    

    4th Annual Gibson’s Cup – July 26, 2014

19. Saturday, July 19, 2014 – S*M*A*S*H – triple header – Fergus Feims [Fergus Roller Derby] vs. Luscious Lunch Ladies [Forest City Derby Girls] / Misfit Militia [Misfit Militia Roller Derby] vs. Timber Rollers [Forest City Derby Girls] / Crow City [Crow City Roller Girls] vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, ONTARIO
20. Saturday, July 12, 2014 – Hammer City Harlots vs. Ithaca BlueStockings / HCRG Eh! vs. Ithaca SufferJets – Dave Andreychuk Arena – Hamilton, ONTARIO
21. Saturday, July 5, 2014 – JRDA North & Northeast Tournament – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
22. Saturday, June 28, 2014 – Burning River vs. Lake Effect Furies / Ithaca League of Junior Derby vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
23. Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22,2014-ECDX2014-Feasterville,PAzzzzzzz

    

    The orange of Tiger Baby Brawlers at ECDX 2014

24. Saturday, June 7, 2014 – Queen City Roller Girls Championships – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
25. Saturday, May 31, 2014 – Crow City Roller Girls vs.TheDecapulettes – Stratford Allen Arena, Stratford, ONTARIO

    

    The Decapulettes vs. Crow City Roller Girls * last jam over

26. Saturday, May 24, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby doubleheader – Total Knock-Outs vs. Vicious Dishes / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Venus Fly Tramps – Waterloo Rec Centre, Waterloo,ONTARIO

    

    Lippy Wrongstocking – Vicious Dishes how do derby players recognize photos of themselves?

27. Sunday, May 18, 2014 – TMRD vs. Betties/Misfits/Orangeville – The Bunker – Downsview Park, ONTARIO
28. Saturday, May 17, 2014 – School of Hard Blocks – Area 705 Smooth Operators vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames / Atom Smashers vs. Capital City Dollinquents – Douro Community Centre – Douro, Ontario
29. Saturday, May 10, 2014 – Mother of All Bouts – Rogue Warriors vs. Skateful Dead / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Les Duchesses – Kingston, Ontario
30. Saturday, May 3, 2014 – Brides vs. Grooms Coed Scrimmage – Mount Forest, ONTARIO
31. Saturday, May 3, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Fergus Feims – Centre Wellingston Sportsplex – Fergus, ONTARIO
32. Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, April 27, 2014 – Beast of the East, Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
33. Friday, April 25, 2014 – CN Power vs. Montreal New Skids on the Block – Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
34. Saturday, April 19, 2014 – Border City Brawlers vs. Fergus Feims / Canadian Clubbers vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Windsor, ONTARIO
35. Sunday, April 13, 2014 – Toronto Roller Derby Fresh Meat – The Bunker, Downsview Park, ONTARIO
36. Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby Home Opener – Brandywine Belligerents vs. Tri-City Thunder / Brandywine Brawlers vs. Plan B – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
37. Sunday, March 30, 2014 – Freaks vs. Geeks Spring Scrimmage – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
38. Saturday, March 29, 2014 – Timber Rollers vs. G-stars, Los Coños vs. Thames Fatales – Western Fair Agriplex – London, ONTARIO
39. Saturday, March 22 – Sunday March 23,2014-QuadCityChaos-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO

    

    Quad City Chaos 2010 at The Hangar

40. Sunday, March 16, 2014 – CN Power vs.Killamazoo DerbyDarlins-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO

    

    CN Power vs. Killamazoo Derby Darlins at The Bunker
    March 16, 2014

41. Saturday, March 15, 2014 – Derby Debutantes vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Orangeville, ONTARIO
42. Sunday, March 9, 2014 – CN Power vs. Tri-City Roller Girls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
43. Sunday, March 9, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
44. Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Chicks Ahoy vs. Smoke City Betties / Death Track Dolls vs. Gore Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
45. Sunday, February 25, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby Toronto Outrage vs. Queen City Roller Girls Nickel City Knockouts – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
46. Saturday, February 24, 2014 – Beat the Winter Blues! Scrimmage and Training – Toronto Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
47. Sunday, February 16, 2014 – Bloody Valentine Co-ed Scrimmage – Orangeville, Ontario
48. Saturday, February 8, 2014 – CN Power vs. Team Ontario – The Bunker, Toronto, Ontario
49. Sunday, February 2, 2014 – NCKO practice / Suicidal Saucies practice / Alley Kats practice – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / Buffalo, NY
50. Saturday, February 1, 2014 – Alley Kats vs. Suicidal Saucies / Enchanted Mountain vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / North Tonawanda, NY
51. Saturday, January 25, 2014 – Alliston Blister Sisters vs. Torontosaurus Wrex / Chicks Ahoy! vs. Gore-Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, Ontario
52. Saturday, January 18, 2014 – Devil’s Night Dames vs. Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI
53. Saturday, January 11, 2014 – Devil Dollies vs. Nickel City Knockouts – Rainbow Rink, Queen City Rollergirls / North Tonawanda, NY

---

Thank you to Pack It Up! for their lovely words and recognition. Click here.
photo credit: Meg Mckenna

Thanks Derby!

Fergus opens the doors for the first time vs. Orangeville

In another one of our random recounts of Derby journeys we recall a trip up to Fergus in the middle of December. It would turn out to be our last Derby bout of the year 2012.

ONE Sunday afternoon in December, Canadian Psycho in one of her generous moods took a certain derby type photographer on the road to the far northern reaches of Ontario. The bait of chips and orange sponge chocolates helped. Providing the excitement for the day was the first ever open bout of the Fergus Roller Derby league and their team the Fergus Feims facing the Orangeville Roller Derby in their first ever bout. [Editor’s note: Way to bury the lead!]

It was a grey December day, and a bit of precipitation was in the forecast. The windshield wipers to the Psychomobile were in full use as the wheels hit the highway. Once we were beyond the Guelph, it became farmville country. Stalks of dead and harvested corn lined either side of the two-lane either side country road. Lo! and behold the road quickly became shrouded with the densest of grey fog.

It was a scene out of a John Carpenter movie, [the original, not the Smallville remake] and we let Psycho know it. She told me to stop saying it. Nevertheless, it was still eerie out there à la Children of the Corn. Shrouded car lights were all going the other way in the murk. Maybe they were telling us something.

Psycho stopped off in a garage to replenish the water for the wipers that had run dry in the rain. One could feel a Silent Hill ominousness as the crows looked down from overhead telephone wires.

Driving through the desolate farmland was left behind as vestiges of civilization began to appear. Lo! the highway sign: Fergus, population 1.

The Wellington Sportsplex looked to be shiny and new and very reminiscent of the type of building in Ajax where the Durham league dwelled. There was a pool for Psycho to splash around in if she had a Gore Gore uniform.

Knocking on the doorway to what could have been the room for the bout, we were quickly welcomed and ushered in as game time was right on the horizon. All the requirements for power were available around the walls. Game on! rock and roll and ready to shoot.

So what was the atmosphere like? This was derby baby at the grassroots level. Jam-packed crowd. Jam-packed derby. First time announcer, first time fans. Demo 101. Trying to explain the rules. Just a lot of fun and a mixture of sprawls and lots of big sprawls.

But were the players ready? The crowd certainly was, many at their first ever bout. Seats were set up behind the suicide lines.  Much of the crowd from out of town cheered for their Orangeville team. The room was no bigger than a church basement just able to accommodate the track itself. There was even a stage set up with seating to hold part of the crowd. The narrowness of the room meant there was barely any outside track space separating the skater from the wall or the exit doors. Padding was taped to the walls as best as they could. The teams were herded and huddled around the inside of the track. Even the zebras were confined to the inside, the head ref, jam refs obviously, but all the OPR were on the inside, producing quite the cluster.

What were Psycho’s impressions of what she saw that day?

“In Fergus, I saw some darned exciting derby between two new teams laying it all out there on the track… To top it all off, a nail-biter finish more than justified the wintry, white-knuckled drive!”

 

For Waldow, it was akin to watching her derby babies come to life going through all the trauma of opening day and birth.”Despite having organized these events and larger ones in the past, I still get nervous prior as I feel that any problems are mine to fix because I want our skaters to be able to just enjoy the game.”It was a great opportunity for our new skaters to get their feet wet on the track and I loved the really tight game. It was so much fun to be back out there skating again. ORG were a big challenge!”For the season to come in Fergus 2013: “Fergus Roller Derby and our team, the Feims, are gearing up for our first full season and it looks like it’ll be an exciting one. We’re looking forward to seeing how our veterans settle into the rule changes and how our fresh skaters progress!”

There is a spring and summer full Fergus schedule to be announced later.

Talking about burying the lead: as if there was not enough Derby already everywhere, Fergus will be hosting the Winter Wipeout Tournament on March 2. Round robin style with:

• Decapulettes, Festival City Roller Derby
• Fergus Feims, Fergus Roller Derby
• Highland Dames, Grey Bruce Roller Derby
• Pulp Affliction, Orangeville Roller Derby
• Woodstock Warriors, Woodstock Roller Derby

The Most Unlikely Derby Girl

Intro: It was as unlikely an introduction we were to ever have to the life of a Derby lady. Out of the blue [through the facebook event page], Tracey Tanner offered me a ride up from Toronto to the outdoor scrimmage to celebrate Pride Week in Peterborough as hosted by PRD (Peterborough Roller Derby). Along the way, Tracey Tanner was not just a congenial driver, she was a gracious host and offered thoughtful responses to my questions about Derby, and she added fascinating details of her life in Derby and outside.

Finally, we made it up to Peterborough and the park which was filled with longboard skaters occupying the rink before game time. The calendar of events called it a Special Pride Week Exhibition Scrimmage (with “school yard pick of players from Peterborough, Durham, Lindsay, Northumberland, and Toronto leagues and beyond (including Alliston and Grey Bruce).” The time of the scrimmage made this unusual with its start time at 6:30 p.m. In September this meant playing and photographing in the golden hour and then rapidly dwindling daylight. In essence, this became an outdoor night bout. And with the oncoming of night meant the onset of cold temperatures. The Derby braved it out on the rough and cracked rink surface to show how Derby is played, tumbles and jams and penalties and all.

One of the hardy ones from that night is the author and true voice of this unlikely story. Gentle Readers, ladies and gents alike, here is Tracey Tan-HER.

The Most Unlikely Derby Girl.

————

M

y co-worker, and voice of reason, thought I was off my nut.

I had just returned from work after a two month sick leave because of an unfortunate motorcycle accident that broke both my wrists. I was overweight, out of shape, and hadn’t been on roller skates in 30 years. Yet, I could hardly wait until a decent hour to call the telephone number to find out about the upcoming fresh meat class.

———
I’m 42 years old. I have never been athletic. In high school I was a mathlete.

Currently I am a shift worker who works a lot of nights, so one night at work during the early hours I was cruising kijiji when I spotted an ad for a local derby team and I was immediately intrigued.

Hours later when I finally made the call, I found out that the fresh meat classes were starting in four days.

I drove off to Barrie (about two hours from home) the following day to buy a complete fresh meat package. I was told the cost would be around $200 to $350. The course itself would be another $130, including insurance.

As I learned from the wonderful Rumbling Rage sales clerk (Renny Rumble, #1205 on CN Power, Smoke City Betties and Misfit Militia ) that as everything in life, one gets what one pays for. Because I was 5 feet two inches tall and close to 200 pounds, I needed more substantial skates. When I mentioned my recently busted wrists, I was advised better wrist guards were needed. I left spending slightly more than $500. Never buy equipment from someone who doesn’t play derby—Renny has forgotten more about derby and equipment that I hope to ever learn and she was patient and extremely helpful.

T

he first day of fresh meat was enlightening—I could hardly stand on my skates. Still, I was determined to soldier on. I had tried other exercise programs and always lost interest, but roller derby was far cooler than pilates or jazzercise.

By my third practice, I felt comfortable on the skates. I remembered how to do the cross-overs on the corners, and the equipment gave me the confidence to be a little more daring. I discovered a local arena in Neustadt that still had roller skating on Friday nights (aka the “Land that Time Forgot”—they still play 80’s music there).

Then came facebook and through it the connections, knowing the different leagues, the clinics with experienced players! Including Bonnie D. Stroir, Georgia W. Tush and Brimstone! A new world opened up! I have found scrimmages all over the area to attend and with each one I attend, I learn something new.

T

he most surprising thing I’ve found is how gracious, friendly, and helpful the other participants are. I’ve played with so many players who are light years better than I am, yet without fail, when I ask about something, I’m given a thoughtful and detailed explanation. Derby is a difficult game to learn—the strategies, the skating, and the technical penalties all take time to get one’s mind around. Everyone seems delighted to share their knowledge and expertise.

I have been at derby for 9 months now. I have suffered no injuries (knock on wood), but have had my bell rung a couple of times. It is empowering not to fall, but it is just as empowering to get blasted off the track and be right back in the thick of the action before anyone realizes you were gone. I have a collection of pictures of appalling bruises and scrapes that thrills me more than terrifies me. I am in better shape than I have been in years. Losing 45 pounds so far motivates me to do more cross training—not because I want to be thinner, but because I want to be faster and better on the track. I lost so much weight that I had to replace everything except my skates and helmet, and now that I am getting better, I would like new everything again. Derby is definitely not cheap—my husband is going to freak out eventually.

My friend, Joe Mac [editor’s note: who?], asked me why I did not quit after one practice and the answer is the other fresh meat girls. I had expected a bunch of young, athletic, she-men with anger management issues. Instead, their age range was all over the place. Their professions and lifestyles had no pattern. I felt connected to the girls despite having nothing, other than a desire to play roller derby, in common with them.

I love the way the game is played—one can be as aggressive as one likes or not at all.

After my motorcycle accident last year, I realized that I am not as big of a baby as I thought. The risk of injury, although a factor, did not deter me. The intellectual component of the game—designing and deciphering different strategies interests me. One day, I am going to be a spectacular pivot!

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erby reminds me of when I was 12 years old at Wheelies Roller Rink in Peterborough. I feel young and vibrant and connected to my team mates. I also appreciate that there is plenty of opportunity for players of every level and motivation. Players who are athletic and competitive have their teams and for dilettantes like me who like their recreational leagues, we have our teams, too. I want to be the kind of player that the opposing team dreads when they see my name on the roster. I want to be a tough, fair competitor that plays spectacular derby. I want to play clean—I never want to be in the penalty box. I think that a being a good, decent player is the highest compliment that one can give another player.

The sisterhood of derby, the pure joy of skating, and even the spectacle of watching—I believe there are more unlikely derby girls than there are typical ones because we are all unique. I love that we have a sport that allows us all to express our individuality and still play as a team.

My journey has just begun.

Tracey Tanner
Tan-HER
Fergus Roller Derby

Outro from editor: For the event in Peterborough, we took advice from masters of the outdoor and night derby shoot in San Diego CA, British Columbia and Ontario. Their words served well, as all pretense of light disappeared into black night and the bare glimmer of night lighting. Travelling lightly meant no stands, bringing in clamps and finding the handy chainlink fence. Lighting one corner and hoping the action would happen there. We are very happy with the results and feel fortunate to have the chance to see all the ladies in the night. Thank you Tan-Her for providing the opportunity.

Fergus Roller Derby Presents Francey Pants – August 23, 2012

Preliminary ramble : For the second time we were heading to Fergus Derby country [after a bit of a adventure which will not be mentioned here]. After a more than a scintillating day with Bonnie D. Stroir, Fergus stepped up to the plate once more with Francey Pants. We had seen Francey Pants at full speed at Blood and Thunder World Cup in Toronto. Now she returned to this part of the world in a busy schedule. Bouting with the Vicious Dishes against Rideau Valley in Ottawa [where apparently she owns a home which she visits, in lieu of playing with Ridea this time she decided to roster with Tri-City to keep it more fun], then coaching amongst Toronto Roller Derby and CN Power on a Tuesday, Tri-City on Wednesday, then Thursday with Fergus and partcipants who were invited and jumped at the chance to partake of Francey Pants’s skills. The Fergus facebook page listed some of Francey Pants’s accomplishments to date.

“Check out her awesome credentials:
• Currently skating for Denver, Team Bionic, Team France, as well as pick-up teams such as Atom all-stars and Vagine Regime
• MVP for Team France at the World Cup in Toronto
• Short-track speed skating in Canada
• 9 seasons on the ice hockey French national team (played in 5 World championships and 2 Olympic qualification tournaments)
• 7 seasons on the roller hockey French national team (played in 7 world championships)
• Volunteer on the WFTDA rankings committee as West ranker
• Bachelor’s in kinesiology
• Master’s in sport psychology”

So Gentle Readers out there: here is Fergus Roller Derby in the words of Sonia Pitbull Bomber Maiorano herself.

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he founders of Fergus Roller Derby (Stephanie Goodchild a.k.a. Ivanna Slappa, Sonia Maiorano a.k.a. Pitbull Bomber, and Cynthia Waldow a.k.a. Waldow) decided to start a new league up in Fergus Ontario, to spread the word of derby and make a mark by opening with a big BANG! With a group of great people and a vision, they were able to have Francey Pants come up to run a clinic not just to their league, but to the surrounding areas; to spread the word of derby and have a legend in her own right come and give some of her time and expertise! With two and a half hours, Francey Pants was able to give two and a half hours of jammed packed information and drills that made everyone sweat with derby excitement! Yet, another accomplishment in such a short time of this new league’s beginnings in only May of this year!

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hat are Fergus Roller Derby’s hopes for this new year? Potentially another guest coach (but you’ll all have to wait and see!) To see more people encouraged to participate in one of the most fastest sports that is forever growing, encourage women of the Wellington County and surrounding areas to join in this sport with us, and to be able to play, make their mark, and still be themselves out there.

We’re here to practice, we’re here to play, and we’re not going anywhere …our motto is Skate, Sweat, Sport , and we mean it.

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ergus will play under that motto and for anyone interested in coming up to be a part of our league, you can contact us at info@fergusrollerderby.com

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Fergus Roller Derby Presents Francey Pants – August 23, 2012, a set on Flickr.