DEEP THOUGHTS: Rookie Edition

Our little buddies are getting ready to lace up for their very first bout tomorrow at Kerrisdale Arena for the Season 6 Opener against the Bad Reputations. How are they feeling about it? A few of 'em took a break from being TOTALLY AWESOME and actually answered.

"Butterflies. Anticipation. Nervousness.

These are just a few of the many emotions I feel when I picture myself skating in front of my family and friends in the Season Opener. I'm not a super emotional person but when I think of my husband and kids cheering me on...I get a little welled up."

- Justine Timberskate (JT)

"A year ago I sat and watched the 2011 season opener and thought these women are AMAZING and this sport is so fucking rad I have to play. But, I procrastinated, as one does, until the summer break up season arrived arrived, which always seems to force some change. This change was getting some skates, joining Raw Meat and watching roller derby all season. Fast forward one year and I will be on the track for the season opener. It is surreal how far all the rookies have come through fresh meat to see our derby dreams come true. Nerves and simple thoughts describe my mind going into this game..... SKATING IS FUN. MY TEAM IS AWESOME. FIND RED. MOVE FEET. LOOK AT LABIA...."

- The Golden Snitch (Snitch)

"I'm so excited to watch my team play tomorrow. I was recovering from an injury for the first bit of our training so I really had a chance to watch my fellow rookies as they learned and improved. I can't believe the amount of information we've taken in over the last two months! Thank you so much to our coach and fellow teammates. You're awesome :D"

- Selina Guile (Guile)

"Coming up to the first game I'm not exactly sure what to feel. I don't really feel nervous, although I'm sure come game day that will change. I feel like after 6 months of fresh meet and 2 months of being on The Riot Girls I am finally getting my skates under me. I feel like the team is starting to come together and I feel really good knowing my teammates are there to help and support me. I have no doubt that I will get just annihilated out there a few times but I hope I can get back up fast, help my team out and not look like a total idiot doing it!"

- Great Big C (Geebs, C, CDawg... we're working on it ;)

Oh Hi!

Your infiltration tactics have gotten a bit rusty, friends. See you tonight!

xoxo, the RG

RIOT RACE!

Every year, the Riot Girls gather up their rookies to run around Gastown following obscure clues and doing ridiculous stunts, and we make 'em take pictures for your viewing pleasure. Come on over to our Flickr page to see the rest!

Season 6.0 Vol 3: FRESH MEAT!

Last night was Derby Christmas, and someone must've roofied Santa; the Riot Girls made the 'Good' List! Us lucky gals unwrapped 9 fresh MeatHearts that we can't wait to play with!

Join us in welcoming the newest members of the Riot Squad...

Selena Guile, Swiss Army Wife, Sugar Rae,

Golden Snitch, Savage Mind, Meanest Sly Trap,

Justine Timberskate, Great Big C, and Epic Wheel Time!

Welcome to the RadHouse, ladies.

*all photos by Bob Ayers, stolen fair and square from terminalcityrollergirls.com*

Season 6.0 Vol.2: Ch-Ch-Changes.

Us Riot Girls are tuff, you guys know that. We play it close to the vest, and there ain't a lot that'll bring a tear to our eye. Saying goodbye to one of our own is just about the only way to get us to admit to having hearts... let alone that they might be breaking just a little. (Thank your lucky stars we have a blog to admit this stuff, because the first person who tries to talk about "feelings" is gonna get a knuckle sandwich.)

Today is Draft Day, the official start of a new season. But we can't bring on the new without celebrating the... veteran. Last year was the first career season for over half our team, and we wouldn't have made it without such solid players on the bench. Tonight, we'll be drinking a 21 Rum Salute to those who've left for greener pastures.

Skully's moved up to Summerland, where she's skating with the Penticton Pistoleras - and you better believe we're road tripping soon! Percy and Avi left us mid season to focus on their (other) careers, and Ghetto's moved all the way out to the Maritimes to be closer to her family.

Our captain Flux Hellsity hightailed it to Saskatchewan, where they apparently pay electricians ungodly amounts of money (which is of course the only reason anyone would ever choose to live in Saskatchewan.) By all accounts Roxie and Stoli tried to retire last year, but Flux used some sort of magic to bind them for another season. (I'm fairly certain that 'magic' was at least 40 proof.) Last year's crop of Riot Rookies are extremely grateful that whatever bribe she used worked for as long as it did - we could not have done it without them!

Flux, Roxie, and Stoli formed the backbone of our team last season. Despite being injured most of the season, Flux was a motivational force to be reckoned with, and Roxie and Stoli (two founding members of this whole league!) were our leadership on the track. We tried our best to get them back this season, but the beer garden is just calling their names too sweetly. This is definitive proof that there is, indeed, some rest for the wicked.

Once a Riot Girl, always a Riot Girl. Later, Skater.

SEASON 6.0 Vol. 1: All Stars!

2012 is upon us, and TCRG Season 6.0 is barreling towards us like a meteor only Bruce Willis can stop.. and I don't know about you, but I think I'd know if Bruce Willis was around! We have all sorts of announcements, roster changes, and exciting news to share, but we'll try to dish it out to little portions so you don't choke on the awesome! Go grab yourself a friend who knows CPR and have a paper bag ready, because here we go - EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT #1!

GAH! We're proud as can be that not one... not two... but three of our fellow Soldiers have been drafted to the TCRG All Stars! This is a BIG DEAL. Completely, 100% worthy of Kanye-style caps locking! The All Stars are a super competitive travel team ranked at #23 in the WFTDA! Not bad for their first season as an international competitor!

Sundown and Hittin' Miss will continue to serve with the Riot Girls as Captain and Co-Captain for this term, at least until they somehow manage to unearth the dirt we're blackmailing them with. ShiftKicker, (an All Star vet for every season barring 2010, due to injury) will be skating exclusively for the TCRG. The 2011 RG Roster was very lucky to have a seasoned pro like Shifty on our rookie-heavy rotation, and she'll be greatly missed.

There are a TON of tournaments and games in their season starting February 10 in Eugene, Oregon. The Pacific Northwest region has some pretty awesome derby on offer, and you better believe we'll be cheering for our reassigned Riot Girls like the truly mental fans that we are!

Get to Know Your Riot Girls: The Man with The Plan

And now reppin' the sole Y chromosome on the crew, the guy who's been with our rookies since the first time they laced up with the TCRG. A dude who volunteers his time and runs practices in the freezing cold and the summer heat. At 9 in the morning. Outside. Even when only 5 of us layabouts show up. A dude who's not too cool to do visualization exercises. Ladies and gentlemen, get to know The Man with the Mane... The Suit on the Sidelines... The 'Fro in The Derby Know...

Our Coach, Mr. Laurence Of A Labia!

WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR NAME?

No story, I just heard of the film and thought it was funny. Not taken from a Kevin Smith flick.

WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR NUMBER?

As a coach I have no number, but if I had time for men's derby, or testosterby, my number would be zero in perentheses (0)

HOW MANY SEASONS HAVE YOU PLAYED?

Coached for 4 seasons or so I think

WHAT POSITION DO YOU PLAY?

Guy on bench yelling at refs and players.

WHAT DREW YOU TO DERBY?

The feminist aspect, and the ass.

WHAT'S YOUR BEST DERBY STORY?

Causing Snatchy to fall on her ass on a cocky breakaway.

WHAT'S THE MOST NON-DERBY THING YOU DO?

I can crochet the f*ck out af a touque, onesy or bikini.

SUPERMAN'S A MILD MANNERED REPORTER. BATMAN'S A MILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY. WHAT'S YOUR SECRET IDENTITY UP TO WHEN YOU HANG UP THE TIGHTS?

Metal fabricator

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE?

Erik Estrada, Kurt Russell, Matthew McConoughey, Buck Flower, Ray Wise and Tim Meadows would all need to share the role.

A FASHION BLOG WANTS TO DO A SPREAD ON YOUR GAME DAY STYLE. HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT FOR THEM?

That's tough. Almost always has to be a 3 peice, no fucking pleats, and can rarely cost more than $40. "70's trailor serious business funk"

CAN YOU DRAW ME A PICTURE?

Does oragami count?

YOU JUST WON A MILLION DOLLARS. WHAT DO YOU DO?

If only that were enough for a down payment on an East Van character house. So robot legs it is.

IF I COULD OPEN UP YOUR BRAIN AND DIRECT DEPOSIT A NEW SKILL, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Vulcan nerve pinch.

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE KARAOKE SONG?

No, well, maybe some Bowie, Ashes to ashes or something recorded in Berlin.

WHAT'S THE BEST PART OF BEING A RIOT GIRL?

We have a tank.