A Whole New World

A Whole New World

Yes, I did title this little account of roller derby to a Disney Movie, but if you lend me your ears you will see why. Six months ago I had never placed quads (roller skates) on my virgin feet. Six months ago I had never been hit by a female skating next to me. Six months ago I might say, my life was to an extent empty of a privilege and honor I now am consumed with. Obsessed? Perhaps. Motivated? Incredibly! Blessed? You bet your kneepads I am! Roller Derby has changed my life for the better.

    So the cliche lives on… I’d be lying if I told you that watching the film Whip It didn’t open my eyes to a sport I thought did not exist. On a lazy friday night with my roommate we settled into netflix and picked out this crazy looking Drew Barrymore picture. Well, the long and short of it led to my roomie and I wondering if this was infact a real thing and not just Hollywood making us delusional of such a sport existing! I googled “roller derby” in NYC and voila! Gotham Girls Roller Derby popped up. It was love at first sight. That summer I bought myself a ticket and went stag to my first Gotham bout. My friends thought it was weird and crazy so I was left to my own devices, their loss. As the season progressed I went to more bouts and started learning the rules and game play. Fast forward 3 years and I finally purchased my own pair of starter Suregrip quads and signed up for the Gotham Girls Roller Derby Level One Basic Training classes.

    If you can picture a giraffe on ice, that was me. However, playing twelve years of competitive softball and field hockey, brought the athletic momentum back and I was determined. I started working out at least 3 times a week at the gym re-working my quads, knees, well everything. I even started biking to practice early saturday mornings. I’m now actually in the best shape of my life thanks to derby! I ended up repeating my level one and am extremely thankful for my coaches guidance and personal attention. Ariel Assault is a master, plain and simple. Also having other GGRD players drop in to coach is incredible as they each have their own style and techniques. Gotham’s training is absolutely top notch. To put the frosting on the cake, the girls that come in and weather the storm with you are exceptional human beings. Your first session starts with something upwards of 25-30 girls by the time your skills assessment comes around you might be down to 15. Derby is not for the faint of heart, plus hitting is half the fun.

    Besides the intense joy this actual sport has given me, the ladies in the league are just extraordinary. From my basic level ladies who cheer you on and have brunch with you weekly to the All-Stars who tell your friends at a bar that you skate together, these ladies are the greatest women I’ve ever met. If I could pick one word that would sum up Gotham Girls Roller Derby it would be community. I have never felt so accepted and loved by a group of women, ever. I volunteer a lot for the bouts and any other promotional activities that Gotham is a part of to promote the sport and league. These women give so much of themselves for a professional womens’ sports organization that does not pay them a salary. From my Derby Jedi Master and tattoo artist, Score of Babylon, to my sister in crime and volunteer goddess, All Star Champ Davey Blockit, these women are role models, athletes, and all around bad asses. There are moments when I revert back to a six year old watching my softball hero Michelle Smith play, when I pass by Bonnie Thunders or Suzy Hotrod and just stop in awe. Then my 27 year old maturity says get a hold of yourself and get in better shape! The commradry and sisterhood that is roller derby is such a privilege to be a part of and I could not ask for more. My love affair with derby continues as I will beginning level 2 of my training in January. If you are reading this as a newbie like I was not so long ago, I say to you, get up off your lazy ass and get a pair of skates and meet some sisters. Your life will change and like Jasmine from that beloved Disney movie you will find yourself in a whole new world. 

by Melissa Connors

Interested in joining Gotham Roller Derby rec courses visit www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com 
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