FEBRUARY 2012 – NAUGHTY BEE
When and how did you get started in derby?
I started in May 2010. I was wandering through a parking lot at some grocery store in Buffalo and noticed this car with a big HCRG logo on the hood and had one of those “HAMILTON HAS ROLLER DERBY?!?” moments. I remember waiting outside for “the rollergirls” to come out so I could ask them about how one plays roller derby in Hamilton, but I have a really short attention span and after about two minutes got bored and wandered off. I don’t think it was too very long after that I showed up for Derby 101.
What position do you play?
I’m very good at tripping over my own feet and skating around in the pack like a lost puppy. But I like jamming the best.
What’s your best move?
Just before we took the track for the 2011 home opener we had a toast to our first game in the locker room. I opened a bottle of carbonated cherry pop in the middle of the room and it exploded everywhere and got everyones wheels all wet and sticky. I think I’d have to say that was my smoothest move so far.
How did you pick your derby name and number?
To be honest I don’t really like derby monikers, I would rather just skate under my own name. But my derby wife, Bean Stalker, gave me my name so its all sentimental-y for me. My number is 58, for 5/8″ which is the standard seam allowance in dressmaking.
What is your athletic background?
I played soccer competitively since I was a kid but stopped at around age 18. Between then and derby I would competitively dig holes and lift heavy books.
Who are your heroes?
There are a lot of people that I admire, a lot of them are my friends. Everyday people who have the courage to be who they are and who are not afraid to stand up and fight for what they believe in. I think those kind of people are heroes.
What’s your worst injury?
I was dropped on my head when I was a baby.
What’s been your favourite derby moment?
The feeling I get when jamming, when I’ve gotten away from that last blocker and I’m out of the pack. Before I remember that there is another jammer somewhere on the track and that I have a job to do there are a few seconds where its just me and my skates and absolutely nothing else matters. In that moment I feel completely free.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play derby?
Stop thinking about it and do it. It’ll change your life. Also, make sure you pee before you get on the track.
If I wasn’t playing derby, I’d be…
Gosh, I don’t know. Roller Derby has kind of taken over my life, I can’t imagine it not being there…. I suppose I would be trying to help other people play roller derby.
JANUARY 2012 – MISS CARRIAGE
When and how did you get started in derby?
In early 2006 I heard a rumour about some sort of rollerskating gang or something like that happening out of the old Corktown Tavern. On GO Transit one morning I read an interview with Lasha, the HCRG’s founder, in VIEW Magazine and planned to email her for info as soon as I got to the office – only to see a note from her inviting me and others out. As much as I liked skating I really had no idea what this roller derby thing was all about! But it sounded like it could be fun so I dug out my aged artistic yard sale skates and hitched a ride to practice in Mississauga that week.
What position do you play?
I started out as primarily a jammer but gradually got more experience blocking and pivoting. While some might call that a triple threat, I call myself a ‘jerk of all trades’. While playing and knowing the ins and outs of one position has its benefits, there’s always so much to learn more about each role on the track, and I’m happy to help out my team in any capacity needed.
What’s your best move?
I’ve been told it’s my hipchecks, which are also my favourite way to take or give a hit. Perhaps that’s more than just a coincidence.
How did you pick your derby name and number?
I didn’t want to pick a name that made myself out to be too tough or too fast, or anything I couldn’t live up to on the track. I asked a ‘sick friend’ and he suggested Miss Carriage, and was surprised I rolled with it. Of course it refers to a miscarriage of justice, which CAN happen in a game scenario. But if I were to pick up the game today I’d likely skate under my given name. I co-run a record label and store so I do gravitate towards the rpm related numbers.
What is your athletic background?
In school it didn’t extend much past gym class but as an adult I got seriously into commuter cycling and played a few seasons of co-ed ball hockey. I started running this year and it seemed to help my skating stride until my knee started complaining about it. Beneficial or not, running reminds me why I like cycling and skating so much.
Who are your heroes?
The athlete that inspires me most is multiple Olympic medalist speed skater and cyclist Clara Hughes.
In strictly derby circles its hard to say, I’ve met so many talented and inspirational skaters so far and know there’s more out there.
What’s your worst injury?
I tore some ligaments in my knee during a game in 2009 and it kept me out of gameplay for a couple months. Visit our YouTube channel or just type ‘roller derby gross’ into an internet search engine to check it out and remind yourself to skate lower. Currently I’m healing up a broken collarbone from a bike collision – city streets scare me way more than the hardest hitters on the track!
What’s been your favourite derby moment?
That would be our league’s first bout – and mine too – in July 2006 at Burlington’s Central Arena. Close second was the Fort Wayne Derby Girls’ Fall Brawl tournament in November 2007 where the Eh! Team made it’s first tournament appearance. While those ‘big’ moments will never be repeated I still really dig the more everyday ones like finally grasping a challenging derby drill or skate skill, the first time you really click with a teammate, or successfully play a strategy as a line up.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play derby?
Put more effort sweating hard and pushing it at practice than fretting over a skate name or how you look on the track, skate as much as possible outside of practice, pick up some sort of cross training to compliment your derby skillset and prevent injury, RICE when that happens, help out your team and your league by packing a positive and collaborative attitude. And of course HAVE FUN.
If I wasn’t playing derby, I’d be…
I can’t imagine what I’d be up to but i don’t think I’d feel as connected to Hamilton. If the past couple months out of gameplay is any indication I doubt my life would be as much fun! Roller derby is a great outlet for everyday frustrations as well as getting out there and involved with your community.
DECEMBER 2011 – BEAN STALKER
When and how did you get started in derby?
FreshMeat: May 2010
An employer (and avid HCRG fan) suggested I play. At a later date I saw an ad in a local paper for FreshMeat. I clipped the ad, bought the equipment and showed up – a week early! I had never attended a bout prior to joining.
What position do you play?
Confused Blocker.
What’s your best move?
Falling like a newborn giraffe – limbs everywhere.
How did you pick your derby name and number?
My Mum picked my name. Bean is a longstanding family nickname. My number is my height – and that’s 5’11” without the skates.
What is your athletic background?
Baseball since the age of 10;
College basketball;
Running from the law.
Who are your heroes?
My parents for supporting me regardless of whether they agree with my decisions; my boys for loving me just as I am and putting up with eggs for dinner every Wednesday when I have derby practice; and, of course, Soldier for embracing what he considers ‘quirks’ and shouting the loudest at every bout.
What’s your worst injury?
None. I’ve never sprained, broken or had anything stitched.
JINX.
What’s been your favourite derby moment?
Meeting my derby wife, Naughty Bee.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play derby?
Pepto Bismal is a pre-game necessity, keep it in your gear bag.
If I wasn’t playing derby, I’d be…
Living in a van down by the river.
NOVEMBER 2011 – JUDGE JODIE
When and how did you get started in derby?
I was one of the original HCRG skaters in early 2006. Our first practice was the day before my 39th birthday! I started strictly as a supporter of the idea of roller derby in Hamilton, I had vivid memories of how terrible I was at rollerskating back in 80′s, so I never really thought I would actually stick around to play the game. And yet, here I am.
What position do you play?
I am a blocker and pivot.
What’s your best move?
I’m not sure I have a best move, but I am a fan of the booty block. And I always try and challenge myself to take out two players at once, every game!
How did you pick your derby name and number?
The number was easy, I was born in ’67. My name was given to me at one of our first derby events by the team. I guess I was making decisions, and trying to get things done, the name Judge Jodie was mentioned and it stuck.
What is your athletic background?
Does tap dancing count? Oh, I did play in a snow football league in university.
Who are your heroes?
To be honest, I think it is the ‘everyday hero’ that I admire the most. I am moved by individuals who take action to make positive changes in their community.
What’s your worst injury?
I have just had some major bruises and some knee issues.
What’s been your favourite derby moment?
I have two – when the Hamilton Harlots won the first Beast of the East in 2008 (an annual tournament in Montreal and the first derby road trip for many!) and playing in a tournament in Ottawa this year with a team made almost entirely of rookie skaters, and watching everything come together for the team.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play derby?
Don’t doubt yourself. This really is a sport that anyone can find a spot that fits for them. Maybe as a skater, a ref, or as vital member of the support crew. Derby is an amazing organization to belong to.
If I wasn’t playing derby, I’d be…
…forced to clean my house and cook sometimes. Thinking about this reminds me how much I love derby!!
