So first off today, I want to send you to this reply from my good friend Kitty DeCapitate down in Oz to that little chat about Confidence. It’s awesome, as ever. Being Australian, she seems to have fewer of the hang-ups surrounding confidence than I do, or maybe it’s because she’s just awesome through and through. The format was going to be a to-and-from letter via our blogs, but I’m not sure that there is anything I can add to anything she’s said.

Go read it and then go out and be more awesome.























Next up today, is a link to Rogue Runner’s fun blog and especially her workout Wednesdays.
Rogue Runner is another awesome and inspirational peer. If you’ve ever seen her skate you probably fell in love with her skating stride, which TOTALLY resembles that of Road Runner from the cartoons. Every time I try and go fast at training I hold that stance in my head as the thing to aim for. Her workout Wednesdays are just as fun. I’m all about ANYTHING that gets you inspired to push and challenge your fitness, it doesn’t matter what form it takes, to me, variety is the key to pushing through fitness plateaus.




And if you want even more inspiration to bash through your training plateaus, The Dynamic Sports Academy do long distance courses. Next time I’m off in New Zealand for an extended period of time, it’s good to know that their magical ass-kicking boot of motivation can follow me all the way there, even if I have to supply my own clapping and cheering.



Have you been on the Riedell facebook since last night? You’ll see pictures of my new skates on their wall where you can give them some love. I’m just waiting for my short/forward mounted plates then they’ll be winging their way over here. I am so excited!






















There is also going to be some super fun new merch available REALLY soon. With two brand new suppliers- I Dress Myself: The Eco-Friendly Printers who have been the most lovely people to work with, and some Kitten Jewellery being supplied by one of my boaty neighbours.

Right, that’s clearly enough excitement for one day. Go and do some press ups.

On Saturday 16th June, skaters from Fierce Valley Roller Girls will join forces with roller derby leagues from all over the country to raise money in a sponsored skate for SportsAid; a charity supporting the young British athletes of tomorrow.

To celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, Severn Roller Torrent from Gloucester were keen to organise a fundraising event that would raise awareness of their chosen sports charity, and also let the roller derby community pull together to reach their sponsorship goal. Over 60 roller derby leagues across the UK have been invited to take part over the weekend of 16th and 17th July by hosting their own event, and FVRG are proud to announce that they are one of them.

To read more about the FVRG event or to make a donation, head over to the news article on their website for more information.

Sponsored Skate Flyer – Image courtesy of Severn Roller Torrent

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Romsey once again take on their nemesis… nemesises… nemesi? the royal Windsor Roller Girls. This time in a home game.

For our second home game were busting out a retro futuristic theme that sees the 1980s take on the 2080s in a clash of neon spandex and tinfoil.

Also for the first time we are also hosting a mixed B team game before the main event so there will be 2 whole games for the price of one. Bargain

When: Saturday, 23rd June /> Time: Doors 2.30 pm, first game game starts 2.55pm /> Where: Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre, Queen Anne Terrace, Cambridge, CB1 1NA /> Ticket: Adults £7 advance /> Children £4 /> Under 5s FREE!

Buy your tickets here

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With what is becoming an annual tradition, for the third successive year a group of eight rowers
from Leeds Roller Dolls will be braving the Windermere Row to raise money for St Gemma’s
Hospice.

On Saturday June 2nd, they’ll be rowing 10 miles across a rather large lake in a wee wooden boat.
It is a punishing challenge but being a competitive bunch, they will no doubt be giving it their all to

read more

Hot of the wheels of the Co-Eduskation Rebellion are hosting another co-ed bout. This time the Jeremy Kyles will take on the Jerry Springers in a showdown not to be missed, or forgotten! We have skaters from a number of different leagues coming together to fight it out on the track.

This extravaganza is taking place on Sunday 3rd June at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre, LU5 5PY. Doors open at 5.30pm. You can purchase your tickets online for the price of £5 by visiting our events page or there will be some available on the door for £6.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome back suckers! So last week it was ten minutes in hell… This week? Suicide starts! I’m beginning to notice a theme…that theme seems to be based, mainly, around causing us poor, exhausted, hard working newbies the maximum amount of suffering! *attempts to lap up pity, notices distinct lack of pity, creates 500 metric tonnes of self pity, laps up self pity* …ahem, where was I? Ah yes, so after lying on the floor and then jumping up on the whistle to sprint the length of the sports hall, stop safely, lie down and repeat, numerous times I was feeling rather suicidal…is this where such starts get their name, I wonder? So after that Force Ten Gail let us have a nice rest and a little sleep….LIES! Of course she didn’t, she hammered us physically for the next hour and a half! We practiced more on our crossovers, really working on skating nice and low and powering off that inside leg, it feels great to get it right and it seems everyone is really getting the hang of it now.
 

Copyright: Seaside Sirens

 
Next up was lots of hopping and juking about. Really taking the weight off of our feet and jogging sideways to inside and back to the outside of the track. By this point my thighs felt like they could have actually shed tears. Thigh tears. Can you imagine?! Next we had to jog a lap on our stoppers. I fell over 2 or 3 times, but apparently thats ok because it shows I’m trying…trying to make a hole in the floor with my butt! I think my favourite part of the evening was Pairing up with blocker extraordinaire Frocky Balboa! We had to practice walling up and sticking together as we moved around the track. Trying hard not to trip her up, we juked and then cut our way around the track, sticking together all the while. Turns out my sunburnt arm was giving off more heat than the actual sun, so props to her for sticking to me and my radiator limbs!
 

Copyright: Seaside Sirens

 
You’d think we were nearly finished by now, but no! We did some duck running and toe stop starts, sprinting and even an assault course. Needless to say I was well and truly ‘zausted by the end but, oddly, I cannot wait until next weeks Force Ten torture instalment! I’m really noticing a team spirit developing amongst the guys and girls now too, which is awesome! It’s something I kinda missed out on, being that I started as a referee recruit on my own. Being able to develop my skills along with all the other fresh meat crew is a great opportunity and I’m massively grateful to the league for making it available to me. Love you guys! Next week… Be here or be a shape that rhymes with here. Yeah!
Abi Sin Ya aged 33 & 11/12

The Hellfire Harlots present Rock’n’Roller a night full of alternative sets from three of the Harlots themselves; el Visious, Scarlet O ‘Harder and Wren E Gade!! This incredible night to remember will be only £3 on the door or COMPLETELY FREE if you were lucky enough to see the Harlots in Action in the earlier [...]

Midsummer Murders – Image courtesy of Malmo Crime City Roller Girls

On 9th June, Glasgow Roller Derby‘s Irn Bruisers take on Malmo’s Crime City Rollers in a double header event. The Swedish hosts will then go on to play a re-match against Ireland’s Cork City Firebirds in what promises to be an action-packed afternoon.

Crime City are advertising tickets online on their website, but you’ll need to go to lastminute.com* to book your flights first!

*Other online flight companies are available

New Wheeled Order vs The Jakey Bites – Image courtesy of Manchester Roller Derby

On Saturday 9th June, Manchester Roller Derby will be hosting an action-packed double header.

First up, MRD’s Checkerbroads take on Gloucester’s Severn Roller Torrent. But the main event for fans north of the border will be the men’s bout: New Wheeled Order versus The Jakey Bites. This will be The Jakey’s second live bout, so why not organise a road trip and show them your support?

Tickets are available now online: £7 adv, £6 concessions, £10 on the day – under 10s get in free! To keep updated with the latest news on both bouts, visit the Facebook Event.