<= Page 1 HEARTLAND HAVOC
Once in a while people say, "Bob, why is your hair like that?" Then,
sometimes, they ask "Bob, why were the West and East Regional playoffs
so far apart?
sometimes, they ask "Bob, why were the West and East Regional playoffs
so far apart?
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Remember, the winter season is when many of the East (at least in the
northern portion, which is where most, if not all, WFTDA sanctioned East
leagues are located right now) leagues play their season. It was decided
not to play the whole National Tournament at the Dust Devil, so a late
spring or summer Eastern Regional was looked at. That decision came
within about three months of the Dust Devil, so a search had to be done
quickly and OHRG stepped up with a strong proposal. They are in a perfect
location - central to most tourney participating leagues - found a facility
downtown Columbus, and are kick-ass, driven people. But the dates, to
work with their league schedule and have time to prepare, became late
summer. It put a considerable gap between Regionals, but the August
dates satisfied most concerns and prevented the Dust Devil from
becoming a much larger, single playoff tournament. The bracket shows
us that the rankings have provided solid bouts all three days.
northern portion, which is where most, if not all, WFTDA sanctioned East
leagues are located right now) leagues play their season. It was decided
not to play the whole National Tournament at the Dust Devil, so a late
spring or summer Eastern Regional was looked at. That decision came
within about three months of the Dust Devil, so a search had to be done
quickly and OHRG stepped up with a strong proposal. They are in a perfect
location - central to most tourney participating leagues - found a facility
downtown Columbus, and are kick-ass, driven people. But the dates, to
work with their league schedule and have time to prepare, became late
summer. It put a considerable gap between Regionals, but the August
dates satisfied most concerns and prevented the Dust Devil from
becoming a much larger, single playoff tournament. The bracket shows
us that the rankings have provided solid bouts all three days.
Depending how late it is into the after-party, my response varies - yeah,
harmlessly messing with really drunk people can be fun - but the truth is,
the wide variance in league seasons made this move necessary. When
do people love to watch us most? When it's either a balmy 110 degrees
outside or a not-so-balmy 20 degrees outside. We rely on our fan base -
and they love us - but their personal schedule is more wide open when
the weather sucks.
harmlessly messing with really drunk people can be fun - but the truth is,
the wide variance in league seasons made this move necessary. When
do people love to watch us most? When it's either a balmy 110 degrees
outside or a not-so-balmy 20 degrees outside. We rely on our fan base -
and they love us - but their personal schedule is more wide open when
the weather sucks.
The Dust Devil was willing to serve as the National Championship
again and, to TRD's credit, they'd have pulled it off. I've worked both
Dust Devils and the organization was INCREDIBLE! The two most
ambitious tourneys I've been to, yet they were NEVER behind schedule
either year. Their crew and the people at Bladeworld deserve a load of
credit. But, there were really two issues. The number of tournament
eligible teams had grown, making last year's 20 team tournament
probably a 24 to 26 team tournament, and a number of teams in the
East had a difficult time pulling inter-league squads together during
league season. Granted, many had done it the year before, but you
hate to detract from your bread and butter - your league season, a
growing fan base, and the development of your rookies.
again and, to TRD's credit, they'd have pulled it off. I've worked both
Dust Devils and the organization was INCREDIBLE! The two most
ambitious tourneys I've been to, yet they were NEVER behind schedule
either year. Their crew and the people at Bladeworld deserve a load of
credit. But, there were really two issues. The number of tournament
eligible teams had grown, making last year's 20 team tournament
probably a 24 to 26 team tournament, and a number of teams in the
East had a difficult time pulling inter-league squads together during
league season. Granted, many had done it the year before, but you
hate to detract from your bread and butter - your league season, a
growing fan base, and the development of your rookies.
I give WFTDA, OHRG, and all member leagues credit. It was great to have
a national tournament last year. Even as 20 teams played in three days.
But adding more teams, in my mind, would have diluted the event even
farther. Tucson's crew would have pulled it off, but that's a lot of derby, a
lot of teams, and, honestly, some tough bouts to sit through. Though
August 17-19 was pretty far down the road, the rules have changed a little,
and it falls almost on top of Roller Con (which attained big registration
numbers this year!), it gives us what the sport needed - a
a national tournament last year. Even as 20 teams played in three days.
But adding more teams, in my mind, would have diluted the event even
farther. Tucson's crew would have pulled it off, but that's a lot of derby, a
lot of teams, and, honestly, some tough bouts to sit through. Though
August 17-19 was pretty far down the road, the rules have changed a little,
and it falls almost on top of Roller Con (which attained big registration
numbers this year!), it gives us what the sport needed - a
showcase national championship.
The Texas Shootout, in Austin,
September 29th and 30th. The
best four teams from the West
against the best four teams from
the East. A true battle royal - no
The Texas Shootout, in Austin,
September 29th and 30th. The
best four teams from the West
against the best four teams from
the East. A true battle royal - no
easy bouts. A single event you can take any non-believer to and show
them just how much a sport derby is and how skilled these women have
become. It creates better chatter, more media interest...it's just plain good
for roller derby. We learn every year. You can bet the playoff system is
already being looked at for 2008. Closer dates, numbers of regions...all
those things will continue to be scrutinized until we peak in numbers,
which doesn't appear to be anytime soon. FS
them just how much a sport derby is and how skilled these women have
become. It creates better chatter, more media interest...it's just plain good
for roller derby. We learn every year. You can bet the playoff system is
already being looked at for 2008. Closer dates, numbers of regions...all
those things will continue to be scrutinized until we peak in numbers,
which doesn't appear to be anytime soon. FS
| MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL ROLLER DERBY FAMILY |
Flyin' Squirrel International Headquarters, July 2007 - As a guy who
created retail training materials for ten years, I've found myself
increasingly interested in reaching out to start-up leagues. Sometimes
created retail training materials for ten years, I've found myself
increasingly interested in reaching out to start-up leagues. Sometimes
WT: How did you first hear about Roller Derby? Why did you get into it?
Betty: There are skaters in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne
that I know of - I've heard rumours of something happening in Hobart. We
also recently went to Geelong and some ladies attended our training and
are now getting their own team together. Its early days for the sport here in
Australia, but I have a feeling it will be really popular.
Overseas it is huge. There are now over 220 leagues worldwide who
have registered with the International Derby Roster, mostly in the US, but
also in Canada, England, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and
Germany. This is pretty amazing considering that its only been around in
its current incarnation since 2000.
that I know of - I've heard rumours of something happening in Hobart. We
also recently went to Geelong and some ladies attended our training and
are now getting their own team together. Its early days for the sport here in
Australia, but I have a feeling it will be really popular.
Overseas it is huge. There are now over 220 leagues worldwide who
have registered with the International Derby Roster, mostly in the US, but
also in Canada, England, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and
Germany. This is pretty amazing considering that its only been around in
its current incarnation since 2000.
Betty: I had a weird dream in
November 2006 about wearing
white roller skates with red
wheels. I hadn't roller skated
since I was tiny - but all of a
sudden I had this massive
urge to get skates. My
boyfriend took me to a place
called Caribbean Rollerama.
Everything from the glowing
lettering spelling out
Caribbean Rollerama to the
carpeted walls and disco ball
seemed to make perfect
sense. I was rubbish at first - it
November 2006 about wearing
white roller skates with red
wheels. I hadn't roller skated
since I was tiny - but all of a
sudden I had this massive
urge to get skates. My
boyfriend took me to a place
called Caribbean Rollerama.
Everything from the glowing
lettering spelling out
Caribbean Rollerama to the
carpeted walls and disco ball
seemed to make perfect
sense. I was rubbish at first - it
Betty BamAlam (left) with the skater currently
known as Sam (right), derby name pending.
known as Sam (right), derby name pending.
they come to me with
announcing/production
questions or requests,
sometimes I see a wayward
post to a Yahoo! Group that
goes unanswered, and
sometimes, as in the case of
Melbourne's Grind Girls, I
happen to pick up on a MySpace
post that looked random, telling
me they might be new and
reaching out. I laugh because
announcing/production
questions or requests,
sometimes I see a wayward
post to a Yahoo! Group that
goes unanswered, and
sometimes, as in the case of
Melbourne's Grind Girls, I
happen to pick up on a MySpace
post that looked random, telling
me they might be new and
reaching out. I laugh because
I've never told Betty BamAlam, President and my contact with the Victorian
Roller Derby League - Melbourne's Grind Girls, that I found a post of hers
to the MySpace comment section of a someone I knew. A person I really
like, but is very new to the scene, and thought, "For cryin' out loud, great
person, but isn't going to be able to help you with sh*t!" So Betty, I've
come clean. I accessed you from a friend's comment section and felt
compelled to make sure Melbourne was getting what they needed, from
the right sources. We all know there is a wealth of knowledge out on the
Web - credible people who are trying to make derby better for everyone.
But, once in a while...there's a new skater/staffer out there with a lot of
advice who, unfortunately, has little to no experience. As a new league, it's
tough to know who is a credible on-line mentor from those who are
inexperienced, but so exited they can't stop themselves from providing
their new "insights," which can be misleading or dangerous.
Roller Derby League - Melbourne's Grind Girls, that I found a post of hers
to the MySpace comment section of a someone I knew. A person I really
like, but is very new to the scene, and thought, "For cryin' out loud, great
person, but isn't going to be able to help you with sh*t!" So Betty, I've
come clean. I accessed you from a friend's comment section and felt
compelled to make sure Melbourne was getting what they needed, from
the right sources. We all know there is a wealth of knowledge out on the
Web - credible people who are trying to make derby better for everyone.
But, once in a while...there's a new skater/staffer out there with a lot of
advice who, unfortunately, has little to no experience. As a new league, it's
tough to know who is a credible on-line mentor from those who are
inexperienced, but so exited they can't stop themselves from providing
their new "insights," which can be misleading or dangerous.
| Logo-ed materials from the VRDL |
WT: How big is derby in Australia? Overseas?
| MELBOURNE GRIND GIRLS Page 3 => |
Betty sent me the following article from Wooden Toy, a skateboard/ street
scene magazine in Melbourne. She's asked many questions that all start-up
leagues get, but she describes all of it with such accuracy and eloquence, I
decided not to edit them out. Read the entire article to see what I mean.
scene magazine in Melbourne. She's asked many questions that all start-up
leagues get, but she describes all of it with such accuracy and eloquence, I
decided not to edit them out. Read the entire article to see what I mean.
was a lot harder than I remembered, that and I was a good metre taller and
further from the ground than I had been last time I skated, but it just felt so
right to be there. I became obsessed with roller skating and made a
MySpace page to find other people who liked it too. I'd heard of roller derby
a while ago, but it wasn't until I'd made a MySpace page and searched
"rollerskating" and saw thousands of profiles from teams all over the US
and the UK that I gave it much thought. Roller Derby seemed to combine
everything I loved - rollerskating, dressing up, team sport and a sense of
DIY and community acheivement. I looked at hundreds of pictures of girls
ranging from tattooed pin ups to geeks and girls next door, and thought if
they can do it - so can I.
further from the ground than I had been last time I skated, but it just felt so
right to be there. I became obsessed with roller skating and made a
MySpace page to find other people who liked it too. I'd heard of roller derby
a while ago, but it wasn't until I'd made a MySpace page and searched
"rollerskating" and saw thousands of profiles from teams all over the US
and the UK that I gave it much thought. Roller Derby seemed to combine
everything I loved - rollerskating, dressing up, team sport and a sense of
DIY and community acheivement. I looked at hundreds of pictures of girls
ranging from tattooed pin ups to geeks and girls next door, and thought if
they can do it - so can I.
Bob's Note: It's even
more amazing
considering bouts didn't
begin taking place
outside the southwest
until nearly 2005!
more amazing
considering bouts didn't
begin taking place
outside the southwest
until nearly 2005!
WT: How did the Victorian
chapter get started?
chapter get started?
Betty: When I got into it, I
made a small team with
5 other skaters, and we
became the Melbourne
Grind Girls, then I found
out about Toxic Judy's
made a small team with
5 other skaters, and we
became the Melbourne
Grind Girls, then I found
out about Toxic Judy's
team - the Telenovella Bellas, and Hidden Magenta's team -Melbourne
Derby Dames. I was a bit nervous after I found out about Magenta and Judy
on myspace, I didn't want to be stepping on anyone's toes or anything. I met
them both separately outside the Museum and we skated around and
talked. Pretty soon after that the three teams merged to become the
Victorian Roller Derby League as we realised we'd be stronger together
then separately. In the beginning I would find people on myspace, or they
would find us - and in some cases - like with Cherry Rockette - hours later
we'd be out the front of the Museum, babbling in a constant stream and
making huge plans on what ever scraps of paper we could find. It was
intense and really exciting. Other times we would coax and cajole people to
come out and give it a try, and in the case of Denim Destructor, who was a
figure skater and a total rink rat - I skated behind her at a general session,
cornered her and asked her to join. She said yes - and it was weeks later
that I found out she didn't know what Roller Derby was, but I looked so
excited about it, I think she felt bad about saying no. Toxic Judy, Hidden
Magenta, Cherry Rockette, Denim Destructor and I got together to form the
Board of the VRDL and became an officially Incorporated Non Profit
Association, we also went to the Fitzroy Legal Service a couple of times,
and talked to everyone and anyone about what we were doing. Its still very
much a work in progress, but so far I think the Board and League have
been growing and developing really well.
Derby Dames. I was a bit nervous after I found out about Magenta and Judy
on myspace, I didn't want to be stepping on anyone's toes or anything. I met
them both separately outside the Museum and we skated around and
talked. Pretty soon after that the three teams merged to become the
Victorian Roller Derby League as we realised we'd be stronger together
then separately. In the beginning I would find people on myspace, or they
would find us - and in some cases - like with Cherry Rockette - hours later
we'd be out the front of the Museum, babbling in a constant stream and
making huge plans on what ever scraps of paper we could find. It was
intense and really exciting. Other times we would coax and cajole people to
come out and give it a try, and in the case of Denim Destructor, who was a
figure skater and a total rink rat - I skated behind her at a general session,
cornered her and asked her to join. She said yes - and it was weeks later
that I found out she didn't know what Roller Derby was, but I looked so
excited about it, I think she felt bad about saying no. Toxic Judy, Hidden
Magenta, Cherry Rockette, Denim Destructor and I got together to form the
Board of the VRDL and became an officially Incorporated Non Profit
Association, we also went to the Fitzroy Legal Service a couple of times,
and talked to everyone and anyone about what we were doing. Its still very
much a work in progress, but so far I think the Board and League have
been growing and developing really well.
| Hidden Magenta |
WT: Who are the Vic. Members?
Betty: We are pretty wide ranging bunch of girls. Denim Destructor - like I
said earlier, was a figure skater and so has the most skating skill and
experience. She, along with Toxic Judy are now coaching the girls. We also
managed to convince two young skater boys to help out - and there are
times I feel pretty sorry for them when they try and make sense of 30 girls
all talking at once.
said earlier, was a figure skater and so has the most skating skill and
experience. She, along with Toxic Judy are now coaching the girls. We also
managed to convince two young skater boys to help out - and there are
times I feel pretty sorry for them when they try and make sense of 30 girls
all talking at once.