To My Team!

To my team:

Ok ladies, this has been running though my mind of what I would say to you guys on bout day if asked because it seems whenever the captains ask what am I feeling, how am I feeling or if I am ready and I can’t ever really seem to spit it out.  I am actually thankful that noone asked on Saturday because I fear I would have lost it with tears.

My Team - Harbor City Roller Dames
photo credit - JS Photography

I just want to say that I LOVE all of you!  

My family and I have been big followers of HCRD’s and always came to the DECC to watch the bouts.  If I had it my way, I would have started derby when Red put out the original call for people to join derby.  I did email her and she sent me all the info for their first get together.  I never went though because my husband had said there was no way I woud be able to do it and I am not cordinated enough and was he afraid I would get hurt.  

3rd practice ever.
Please don't hit me!

A few years went by and the urge was still there.  By this time, my kids were skating every weekend with grandma at the roller rink and loving it.  I did some snooping around to find out about junior roller derby and that is when I found the other area team offered it for young kids.  There it was!  That was my in!!  If the kids could do it, I could too!  

Here is a peak on how “The Udder Woman” began:  

My very first bout.
Foster skated for another team.
photo credit - ChipPlaza Photography

May 2011 - I told the kids when they got home from school that we were going skating but not at the roller rink.  They were excited until I explained that they had to wear helmets and pads (not telling them its roller derby in fear that they want to go).  They were really confused saying “grandma never makes them wear that!”.  I just told them that the place we were going required it.  So that was the start, they actually started a week before me as I didn’t have any skates.

By luck, I found a $25 pair of skates (in my size - what are the chances of that!?!?!?) on craigslist, hubby bought me pads and helmet and I was all set.  First time on the skates....ummmm....yeah....could barely stand up but was expected because it had been about 20 years since I had last been on skates.  My dreams of being able to skate at the DECC like some of my HCRD idols were looking pretty slim but I guess you have to start somewhere.

Fast forward to Oct 2012:

I made some amazing friends but I had some big decisions to make.  The drive to practice was starting to take a toll on me being that it was almost an hour drive one way (and road construction made it worse), the bout schedule was from late spring into summer which wasn’t working for me being that I usually have a wedding to photograph every weekend in the summer, and that when there was an away bout that I could actually go to - it was way too far for me to travel being that I have goats that need to be milked daily in the summer - can’t really tell the lady goats “hey, I will be home in a couple days - sorry, you are going to have to wait to be milked”....doesn’t work that way when you have a farm!

Final Score:  HCRD 161, FMDG 157

So it was either hang up the skates or consider transfering over to HCRD (which I totally thought I did not have the skills nor the coordination to be able to competively skate with their team and that I would probably make a huge fool of myself).  Plus, I had always heard rumors (and not from other team) that they were all a bunch of b!tc#e$, there is a ton of drama, you won’t like skating over there, etc., etc.....with all that said I have to say I was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY nervous about checking out a practice.  

The Udder Woman
photo credit JS Photography

Fast forward to now:

I just have to say that all the rumors I heard are untrue!  You all have made me feel so welcome since I joined!  I am very glad I made the decision to keep skating.  My skills have grown tremendously from six months ago when I first laced up as a Roller Dame.  I want to thank all of you for continually pushing me at practice and giving encouraging words and support!  It was AMAZING to have skated at the DECC this past Saturday in front of such a large crowd WITH my HCRD idols.  I would have never believed anyone two years ago that you would be hearing “The Udder Woman” annouced as a rostered skater with HCRD at the DECC.

So proud be able to call you all my teammates!  You are all wonderful!  I don’t care what anyone else says but HCRD ROCKS!  

Come join us!  www.harborcityrollerdames.com

For all you blog followers, if you set your mind to it - you can do anything.  Have you ever thought of trying derby??  If so, you should!!  Or if you feel you cannot skate but would still like to be involved with the team - we are always looking for volunteers.  For more information, please check out my team's website:  www.harborcityrollerdames.com