BACK to basics by Amygeddon

In April 2012 I injured my back, and after many doctors with different theories about what it could be, was finally diagnosed in November 2012 with a prolasped disk of my L4 L5 vertebrae.  This was in turn pinching my Sciatic nerve, so on the worst days, I would have no feeling in my right leg at all, to normal days with constant pins and needles in my feet. 

Good times... not really.  I skated my last bout in October infront of my folks, which was a huge deal for me seeing as this was the first time they'd seen me play. Gave it my all knowing that it would be a while before I would feel that awesome about myself again.  My last actual skate was on  16th  December with a few members from the league.  It was an awkward feeling taking my gear off not knowing when I would be putting it back on.  

19th December I went in for a Lower Lumbar distectomy, and was in hospital to 2 nights.  I was feeling pretty good afterwards, and got me some visitors from my derby family.

Lets flash forward to February 2013.  I have no pain what so ever in my leg! The league is back into full trainings now and I have switched from blocker on the track to inside as an NSO.  Instead of attending 3 skating sessions a week, I attend something equally as hardcore... The Dunedin Doomsters Rules Sessions.

 I am now Head NSO, and my first bout to organise was the Triple Beheader with DD, ORDL and SOS (23 NSO's. 4 games. No biggie right??).  My nerves were just as high as they normally were being a skater: What if I don't blow the whistle right, what if I add my numbers wrong, what if I trip over my feet during our walk out etc.  I enjoy being an NSO, even more so as a few Freshmeat are coming to learn and seeing their faces all excited, because Diva did an amazing apex jump, or Nails just keep getting up no matter how many knocks she's taking.  They're starting to find their own derby heroes within our league.  It it awesome.

I have recently got back on my skates and had my first training session.  Got a lot of work to do to get me back to where I was, but now I want to be better.  Watching the most recent freshmeat grow into their own has been an inspiring series of events for me.  So watch out 2014 Geddon's back on the track. 

 


Now go hug an NSO!  


Amygeddon
xxx

Massive roller derby hits immortalised on camera!

A couple of posts ago we put together a bunch of action shots of hilarious derby facials. So we thought we would compile another set of photos but change up the theme a little this time. The hard hitting, fast action nature of our awesome sport means that, every now and then, we find skaters aren't always firmly planted on the floor. Here are some wicked shots of airtime during gameplay for your enjoyment...... Photo credit to Andrew MacKay and Marelda photography.

Fox-Z practices falling as elegantly as she can...

Orkazzmic goes for a mid-air spin....I can't actually figure out how she got into this position....

Mickey Malice - "What did you say about my wifey?!?!"

Neon Needle - "Hey you! Floor! Come at me bro"

Evil K'nevil is just hanging out in midair, while playing for a DD charity team

Sister Strychnine and Breaking Bridges - Sometimes we like to play zumba derby, cause that's just how we roll

Storm Rising, Diva DemolisHER, Orkazzmic - You know it's an awesome shot when 75% of the skaters are mid-air

Ana Phylaxis and Ruby Smash: Smash has a suspicious look on her face in the background while Phlax just goes for a casual tumble with a smile

Much Derby Love
xxx

On transferring leagues by Rocket Queen

Changing leagues is probably one of the greatest derby challenges I've faced yet.  I've also learned a lot about myself, and it's given my love of derby a new energy! 

I moved to Dunedin from Wellington at the beginning of the year. I had done some secret-squirrel research on the Gallow Lasses at a tournament in Palmerston North the previous August and I liked their skating style and friendly attitudes, and was keen to get on the track with them.  However, I was leaving behind the League I had skated with for four years, and it was a bit like leaving the parental nest for the first time.  Rocking up to my first training with Dunedin Derby was, well, terrifying!  And then I started my first session with my new League.. PRE-SEASON FITNESS TRAINING!  It was the middle of summer, and the venue was sweltering.  I'd just spent a few months off, and let's just say cheap beer was on the menu far too often during that time.  The Dunedin Derby girls were running rings around me, and I thought I'd die from a fatigue/embarrassment combo and need to be stretchered out of the venue!  But my new friends got me through, cheering me on to do one last set of burpees, just one more shuttle run.. 

Rocket Queen as jammer leaving blocker Rick O'Shay in her wake of dust. Photo credit to "Poparazzi"Andrew MacKay

.

Fast forward six or so months and I can look back on that first training and laugh!  I'm a lot fitter now, and proud to be a Dunedin Derby girl with a whole League of new friends.  I've had some awesome opportunities here such as helping DD raise money for the Otago Hospice playing in a charity bout, and I've been entrusted with helping train/regularly thrash our awesome Freshmeat. 

I've also had the privilege of bench managing the Gallow Lasses – a position of mutual trust that I have learned a lot from, and that has really helped me get to know these awesome skaters on and off the track.  Although at times it hasn't been easy watching from the sidelines, it's really let me step back and see how my new derby home works, and where I best fit in to that picture.  And it gave me a really good goal to work towards.. which, the other week, I got some really good news about – I got the phone call asking if I'd like to strap on my skates and train with the Lasses!  It's exciting stuff and I can't wait to earn the opportunity to don the green and purple tartan with my new team-mates!

 

Ana Phylaxis, Sister Strychnine, Rocket Queen and Wonder Wahine. Photo credit to "Poparazzi" Andrew MacKay

Much derby love,
Rocket Queen
xxx