Hudson Valley Horrors Roller Derby

Horrors Take the GLSEN Sports Project Pledge

Pinky Swears — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:12 +0000

Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project

The Hudson Valley Horrors are proud to announce that we are the first women’s flat track roller derby league to be on board with the GLSEN Sports Project Team Respect Challenge!

We are a league of diversity much like all Roller Derby leagues. We accept and embrace all people to our sport willingly. Now we have the opportunity to be an example in our community and set a new standard for other leagues to follow.

Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project is an education and advocacy initiative focused on addressing LGBT issues in K-12 school-based athletic and physical education programs. The Sport Project’s mission is to assist K-12 schools in creating and maintaining an athletic and physical education climate that is based on the core principles of respect, safety and equal access for all students, teachers and coaches regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression and integrating these efforts into overall school plans to ensure a safe, respectful school climate and culture.

Our entire league (and soon our Junior league, The Frightmares) have signed on to be Team mates for respect. We are proud to stand alongside organizations like the NBA, WNBA and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) in support of the GLSEN Sports Project’s cause.

What Does It Mean To Take The Team Respect Challenge?
• Making a strong public team commitment to live the values of respect and inclusion for all team members, across differences such as race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or religion.
• Taking the Team Respect Challenge requires leadership and commitment from everyone on the team.
• Believing that Team Respect is a winning strategy: When all team members are respected, they perform to their highest potential.
• Treating all teammates with respect.
• Avoiding language that puts someone down because of differences such as race, sexual orientation,gender identity/expression or religion.
• Reminding teammates that name-calling and bullying are “not OK on our team.”
• Setting an example of Team Respect for opposing teams, fans and others in your community.

The Hudson Valley Horrors Roller Derby League is the first non-urban flat track women’s roller derby league in the world and is part of the grass-roots derby revival. We are owned by the skaters and are for the skaters!

We are proud member of the Women’s Flat track Derby Association since 2011.

Skater of the Month: R. Sovertits

Pinky Swears — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:33:35 +0000

Q: How did you think of your derby name?

A: After the first month of freshmeat I started thinking. 3 months later I still had no ideas neither did my friends or family. Lots of ideas but they were either taken or to close to a someone on the Horror’s or just not funny. I like British comedy. A friend came up with R. Sovertits. Sometimes people get the joke and sometimes not but when they do they give it a good laugh so it is worth it.

Q: What does your family think about the sport and the fact that you play?

A: They are very supportive. During my first bout my grandmother cornered me at half time to give me some pointers even though she has never seen a bout before and my mom sent me flowers the next day. Everyone thinks it is a unique and fun sport and they like the team.

Q:What has been your best derby moment?

A: It was really cool to win the last home game of the season year before last. My favorite moments are when we just play well together. Like magic.

Q:Any advice for girls wanting to try out?

A: Just decide to try it and do it.

Q:What are your goals for this season?

A: No airplane arms and like always endurance. Maybe my endurance is low because I waive my arms?? Eh. My goal for the team would be for us to react quickly and together.

Q:Besides derby, what are some of your other interests?

A: I really enjoy traveling-oh and sleeping. I also have a personal goal to finish a book soon. Any book would be fine.

Q:Any pre-bout rituals?

A: I like have to have all of my regular gear. I find no luck in being stinky.

Q:Who is your favorite super hero?

A: She-ra because she has a twin brother and I have a twin brother. And She-ra and I both like to kick ass. And I would one day like to have a flying unicorn.

Take the 2012 WFTDA Survey

Pinky Swears — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:32 +0000

Help WFTDA Improve Your Roller Derby Experience!

The WFTDA is conducting their third annual demographic survey of skaters and fans.

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association is conducting two surveys to help them learn more about roller derby audiences. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with them. You can find the surveys at wftda.com/survey.

If you are a fan, skater, or league partner, participate in the third annual demographic survey. The WFTDA wants to know more about you and your opinions of the game; it’s your chance to be heard.

And if you are a skater or super-fan who watched the WFTDA tournament broadcasts or attended 2011 WFTDA tournaments in person, please also participate in the first tournaments and broadcasting survey. Help WFTDA plan to make the 2012 tournaments and broadcasts as successful as possible!

Both surveys will be open from Feb 1 through Feb 15th. Survey participants may optionally enter a drawing to win a WFTDA prize pack (a Ceramic Insulated Coffee Mug and a Gildan Soft Grey WFTDA Tee). Five winners from each survey will be selected at random after the surveys close and will be notified by email.

Click here to take Demographic Survey

Click here to take the Tournaments and Broadcasting Survey

Thanks for helping make WFTDA roller derby even better!

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association is the international governing body for the sport of women’s flat track roller derby and a membership organization for leagues to collaborate and network. The WFTDA sets standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and determines guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues. There are currently 133 WFTDA member leagues and 81 leagues in the WFTDA Apprentice program.