Learn to Skate – Week 1

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Coming up on 6 years, the first two were with the Waterford Viqueens.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Playing the host team at the Southern Discomfort Tournament in Columbia, it was my first transatlantic tournament and my favourite away trip.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Kallio, it’s a match up I haven’t seen before.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Commitment and communication. The team has been working so hard at working together!

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Footwork, always.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Hard work pays off but always make sure you’re having fun!

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
6 years

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Blitz Dames

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Kallio…We played them years ago and they were very tough.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Probably all our prep. Both mental and physical. Also our ability to adapt, stay chill and play our own game.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
The usual. Footwork, explosive speed, strength and power, endurance, mental strength…the list goes on!

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Listen to what your coaches tell you. Have fun. Don’t worry if you don’t advance as quickly as you want to/as others. Practice, perseverance and grit will get you where you want to go in the end.

Position:
Pivot

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Started freshmeat with DRD in January 2013, so it’s been almost 6 years!

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
2×4 was tough but it was a great experience

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Dock city and Kallio.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
I think we’ve really improved our technical skills!

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Keep up my fitness, it’s the basis for everything else.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Never forget why you do this.

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
3.5 years, and only skated with DRD!

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Wow so many to choose from! I would say I enjoyed watching our team play against 2×4 early in the start of the year. This was before I was on the team. It was such an exciting and skilled game to watch!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
So many fierce teams to choose from! Everyone will be bringing their A game of course, but looking forward to Dock City!

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
We NEVER give up fighting. We also have many varied talents and strengths in the team.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Because I’m new on the team, Ill work on gelling with my team mates to become a beehive mind. I’ll continue to keep working on my strength (in the gym lifting weights, doing HIIT, pliates) and my Jammer awareness.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Always ask for feedback, but not only from your best friends (as it can be a little biased!) Ask for feedback off skaters/coaches who you respect and look up to. Do HIIT and pilates.. it will help prevent injuries down the road! And dont be so hard on yourself 🙂

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Over 7 years now….started my derby life with the Cork team at the time Rebel County Rollers who then turned in the Firebirds seems like a lifetime ago. Was there for 2 years before moving to Dublin.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
The extreme focus and mental preparation that the team have at the moment is amazing.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
As a personal goal I am looking forward to trying my hand at being pivot/blocker. 7 years a jammer is a long time!

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Always give 100% in whatever new skills you try, don’t be afraid to look silly or fail at a task..that’s how you learn! Also remember that even the best skater in your league had to start somewhere!

Position:
Blocker and Pivot

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
2013 was the fateful year that DRD stole my heart …and all my free time. We’ve been pretty serious since.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
I LOVED all of the games at so disco as for life reasons I had been away from the team for too much time and was just overjoyed to see my teamies!!!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Newcastle. One game at a time.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
The hard work we’ve put in and the trust we have in one another. We also have a very dynamic team that can react and respond.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Ah yes pinky, Same thing as every other season…try to take home the hydra!!

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Turn up even when you don’t want to cause those are they days you’ll learn the most about yourself. And of course remember that life is better on wheely shoes !!!

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
7 years! Playing for 5. My Dad brought me to the roller disco a few weeks before I joined and he was 1000 times better than me. The tables have since turned, thankfully.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Every game. I’ve been working on my mental health this year, took a break earlier in the season so have been helping my pals on the bench recently. It’s been so satisfying seeing all of my teammates set goals and I’ve loved the insight along the way, everyone works towards things in their own way and I’ve learned loads.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Everyone because every single team going is brilliant.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Team vibes and troubleshooting.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
I’m looking forward to playing some games with my team knowing my head will be in a much better place. The mind gym is so important!

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Be a friend to yourself! You would never tell your pal their stops are rubbish because you see all the little improvements and how far they’ve come. Cheer yourself on the way you do for your pals. 🙂

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
8 Years

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
All the Southern discomfort ones

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
All of them 🙂

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Our new emphasis on performance and looking forward.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Personal skill level and growing with my team.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Learn all the skills because you will understand the game as you go on year after year. And don’t underestimate your mental game!

Position:
Bench Coach

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
I’ve been with DRD since almost the start, I joined in January 2010 with no prior experience.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
We’ve had some amazing scrimmages with our friends at Rainy City which have been super challenging and awesome learning experiences, but if I had to pick a game-game I think facing off against Charm City at Southern Discomfort was a highlight.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Dock City.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Our work ethic. #maximumeffort

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Earning our spot in Division 1 by working hard and working together.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Practice the things you hate. Take feedback on board – your coaches are trying to help. Oh, and don’t sass the officials.

Position:
Coach

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
9 years. Moved into coaching about a year and a half ago

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
The game against Ann Arbor at Southern Discomfort. It was a well matched game and was intense and competitive from start to finish

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Kallio. I admire their style and look forward to see how our two teams match up

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Smarts. Chill. Heart.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
To seek out the highest level derby we can and continue playing to our potential, reaching past it and creating new highs for ourselves

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Go to training, watch derby, listen to your coaches

Position:
Blocker and Pivot

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Over 7 years. Does roller hockey at 15 count?😂

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Everything at Southern Discomfort.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Tiger Bay now that they have Kid Block.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
That we have been focusing on performance over result. If we perform well the good results should just roll in ya know.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
To win?!

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Accept that you’re gonna have crap days and get bashed around but then one day you’ll be like boom and cause some serious damage!

Position:
Yes to all

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
I’ve skated for 24 years. First Figure Skating, then some Ice Skating and finally Roller Derby. With Mambas Negras RD in Argentina and for Dublin Roller Derby for the last 4 years.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Playing 2×4 at the beginning of the year was very challenging and had the extra fun of playing against my sister.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Looking forward to a re-match against Dock City.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Hard to pick just one 😉

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Yes, my main goal is to perform at my best on game day and the others are focused on skills practice, strategy and communication.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Enjoy challenge. Embrace adversity.

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
3 years I think, time flies when you’re having fun. DRD 4ever

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
There’s a season?!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
All of them

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Our work and preparation ethic.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Too many to list ’em! Be better on wheels.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Get a good sustainable balance between skating, league tasks, life and work (and let us know how you did that). X

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Passed DRD fresh meat 4 years ago

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
My charter debut closed door game against rainy, straight into the deep end!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
All of them

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Our versatility and tenacity

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Work hard and be patient

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Started in DRD freshmeat in 2012

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
It was great to have a chance to go up against Rainy city, what a team!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
A dock city rematch would be cool- I think we have learned some things since we last met!

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Versatility is definitely up there, DRD has such a broad range of skills and styles on the charter so I would see that paying off for sure

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Always working on the basics! Form and footwork improvements are my big goals.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Dont forget to enjoy every minute, even the really challenging stuff!

Position:
Pivot

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
Skating since 2012, started with The Bad Reputations (House Team for TCRG)

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Very much enjoyed starting the season with the mini tourney against 2×4 and AARG. Great way to come back after a prolonged injury (welcome back Brew!)

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Looking forward to playing whoever else makes it to the final 😉

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Our supporters. The ones that always back us (our incredible league mates for a start) and the new ones we generate every time we travel. Just the shear lack of enthusiasm for anyone but DRD makes it all worth it.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Continue building Ireland as a destination for high level roller derby.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Get involved in the game as much as possible. Skating might not be for everyone, but Roller Derby sure is!

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
8 years. I started with Cornwall Roller Derby then skated for C-Max Roller Derby (now Golden City Roller Derby) in Johannesburg for three year before transferring to my forever home with DRD.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
They have all been interesting or fun for different reasons but I really loved our game against 2×4 back at the beginning of the year. It was really tough but set the tone for the season and set benchmarks for us to try and reach over the year.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Kallio!

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
We’ve worked hard on our skill base and it really shows. Also the team hive mind is looking really strong and I’m excited to see how that translates to these games.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
D1!

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Keep your head up and keep your eyes open. Be the first at training and the last to leave. Don’t ever apologize for a good hit or for pushing yourself. You will fail but you will also have great success. Watch as much Derby as you can. Never skate without your helmet on (ever!).

Position:
Pivot

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
7 years since i started, Last 4 with DRD

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
12th of August – Rainy city

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Just all of them.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
Our hunger to be better

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
To place DRD among the first 30 in WFTDA rankings.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
It takes time and effort, but it comes. Always.

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
7 years

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Probably the games at southern discomfort!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Kallio as we haven’t played them for years!

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Working on strength and power

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Go to training!

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
I started skating with DRD about 5 years ago i think. I’ve never been part of another league in this sport but have been practicing a lot of different activities from a young age including ice skating and Olympic handball, cross country skiing, rowing, cycling… and i guess it helped for all the different aspects of roller derby.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
To play? Charm all stars at the southern discomfort tournament. It was just the perfect game for me and i felt great!
To watch? probably all the derbying from the world cup 🙂

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Probably teams i’ve personnaly never played before such as Kallio and Dock city, but all/any teams are going to be amazing and challenging to play

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
The best support from our league members!
Then we are very organised and prepared and focused, we are also pretty hilarious, good looking and cool, aaannnnddd that’s a HUGE weapon… i’m only messing!

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
Just keep on rolling, like Tina Turner’s song, Proud Mary

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Forget that you probably have no chance and go for it! sometimes it works!! hahaha!
More seriously : Give your best, work hard, it’s rewarding. Have fun, always!

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
I’ve been skating for 5 years, ‘born’ and bred in DRD!

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
I loved the game against 2×4, back in January. It was the beginning of the rise of DRD and the first time we implemented things post D2. It’s showed us what we were capable of. And Team Osom is just that: awesome!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Dock City. Last time they took us by surprise but this time we’re ready. If we play them it’ll be a great game.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
The varied talents of all our skaters make a for a great pool of abilities. This diversity is our strength. We adapt. We overcome.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
I’d like to be able to do an apex jump while jamming!
But seeing as I’m a blocker I want to keep learning how to best use my size to my advantage. Form, posture, position.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Ask everyone for feedback and apply it.
Keep at it. Sometimes it feels like you’re not getting anywhere and then all of a sudden your body does the thing without you realising!
Skate up when you can. And remember to have fun!

Position:
Jammer

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
5 years, nowhere before DRD

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Any of the games from Southern Discomfort were brilliant but I also really enjoyed facing Dos por Quatro at the start of the year.

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Honestly, I expect each and every team to bring their absolute A game to the tournament so I think whoever we face, it’s going to be great.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
I think our hard work and experience in high-pressure situations will stand to us. I mean, I could go on about how awesome I think my teammates are, but I figure that’s implied 😉

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
I just want to get stronger and faster and be what my team needs. Also I want to keep having fun. No point in spending all my free time doing something I don’t enjoy 😀

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Work on your weaknesses and start going to a gym/doing pilates now if you can. Core strength and addressing your muscle imbalances will help prevent injuries (and make you better). Watch roller derby.

Position:
Blocker

How long have you been skating, and did you skate anywhere before DRD?
I’ve been skating with DRD since I started Fresh Meat 7 years ago.

Which game this season have you enjoyed the most?
Probably our game against Ann Arbor at Southern Discomfort. It was a really close game right until the final whistle and was really fun to play. Our game against 2×4 at the start of year is a close runner up though!

Which team at the continental cup are you most looking forward to / hoping to play?
Probably Tiger Bay – they were great to watch at EuroClash and they tried their best to teach me the Electric Slide.

What do you consider DRD’s biggest strengths going into the continental cup?
I think our preparation this year will really stand to us – we’ve managed to play D1 level teams throughout the season and hopefully we’ll bring what we’ve learned from those games into the tournament.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?
I’m still working on my goals from this season! But no doubt it will involve ‘moving up in WFTDA rankings’ and ‘have fun’.

What is your biggest piece of advice for upcoming skaters?
Don’t be afraid of trying (especially something you struggle with), and try often!