Ballistic Whistle visits LKRG
Admiral Painway sent this article in in loads of time. Blame me (Cleverly Crusher) that it hasn’t been published until now. Huge thanks to Nigel Shinnors for permission to use his photos.
Limerick roller girl hearts were set aflutter a number of weeks ago with the announcement that the London Roller Girls and Team England Coach, Ballistic Whistle would be coming for an extended training session. On Sunday 19th February Ballistic rolled in with Dublin Roller Derby’s infamous Shref and Jessica Rammit.
Ballistic’s lesson was a deconstruction of the jam, focusing on the different phases of a two minute jam and the various situations both jammers and blockers can find themselves in. Suddenly most of us were panicking, “Should we be taking notes?” There was so much to take in, many different types of walls such as the web, the philly (which I kept calling the picadilly), bus, two-one anchor, one-two reverse and probably some more I have forgotten. Yet, with Shref’s and Jessica’s guidance we were able to get the hand of these wall types quickly.
We then went through a couple of jam drills, with everyone getting a chance to improve their blocking/ jamming and their “derby brain.” “What the hell is derby brain?” I hear you ask. Well I have been informed it is not driving like you are in a jam, looking for gaps in traffic and trying to hip check overtaking bikers with your car. That I am afraid is just dangerous and I really should stop it. Derby brain is the ability to identify the strategies employed by the other team or the situation on the track and being able to pick a play to adapt and thus gain advantage.
After the three hours we understood why Ballistic is the big coaching name in England. His approach is respectful and fun but he also has an ability to clearly and concisely explain the drills and plays that we were unfamiliar with. Everyone in LKRG felt they got so much out of this session. We learned a lot, fell a lot, and then had a lot of fun at the unofficial after party at the Kilmurry Lodge, complete with cat show!
We at LKRG wish Ballistic all the best in the future and look forward to another visit in the future. Also a big thanks to Shref and Jessica Rammit (who we all developed big derby girl crushes on). It’s great to meet up with other derby nuts from Ireland and abroad. It develops the sense of community and cooperation between leagues while also developing our derby skills, which is the most important thing of all. Big derby love to you guys!
P.S. Personally, I want to know how Jessica is bruise free because on Monday morning I had 40 separate bruises on my body. Sure I’m proud of them, but summer is coming and I look like a shaved dalmation!
Admiral Painway
A spectator’s report on LKRG’s first bout
So, you’ve read Jewel Suffer’s report on the bout between The Dockyard Destroyers and DRG Reserves, but what was it like for a first-time derby attendee? Mark O’Beirne gives us the lowdown on this life-changing event.
Armed with some titbits of knowledge from the ‘Whip It’ movie, it was time to check out a roller derby bout for the first time. Roller derby from a spectator’s point of view is easy to understand initially, but there are subtleties that become evident over time. For the uninitiated, roller derby teams are made up of five players: one jammer and four blockers. The jammer’s job is to make their way through the crowded pack and then on each subsequent lap, each opponent they pass scores a point. Of course, the blockers don’t make this easy for the jammer, but must also create openings for their own jammer to get through.
Roller Derby is all about commitment and hunger. Each person needs that internal drive to get back up, and get up quickly, after being knocked down and this is something that has to be applauded. Considering some of the theatrics witnessed week in and week out from “professional” athletes, it is refreshing to see players pushing themselves and not seeking pity after some rough-and-tumble treatment. With some of the hits that are thrown about it doesn’t pay to be soft.
On the day there were two bouts taking place. Dublin Roller Girls went up against Belfast Roller Derby and a rookie mix from Belfast and Limerick, aka the Dockyard Destroyers, went up against Dublin’s rookies. Even at the level of “rookie” the pace is frantic and the action is fierce. As a spectator there is a lot to take in as players overtake, collide, and are penalised in the blink of an eye. It is said that Navy SEALs have a perception of time where everything seems to slow down and you’d have to hope that derby players see scenarios in a similar fashion: bodies go tumbling, obstructions are formed and players must be obstructed or freed from the pack depending on the uniform that they are wearing. It is moments like this where spectators must be thankful to be tucked up in the stands.
The Limerick and Belfast mixed squad gave a good account of themselves considering it was their first bout and they had little time to train together. This was a trial by fire for the newcomers to the roller derby circuit, but they took on the challenge and provided an entertaining spectacle. There was no quarter given at any point during the bout by either side as they pushed each other to their limits.
When a team gets everything right, a bout can look effortless. Dublin’s first team had the right combination of flawless tactics, great individual skills and communication. All that can be said is that it was a phenomenal sight to behold. Each player knew their role and executed their duties flawlessly. This gave their jammers a much easier job to do, but even at that they showed some individual class as they squeezed through the smallest of margins, sometimes skating on one foot. It truly was a joy to watch.
The atmosphere at a roller derby bout is something that is quite unique. The Belfast girls still laughed, joked and danced despite the scoreline and the crowd appreciated that. If Belfast had a chance to gain some points the crowd gave them their full support and cheered as if it was a game winning jam. When players take a tumble into the suicide seats, the charming name for the front row, they are willed back up by supporters all around. Finally, when all is said and done, spectators surround the ring and high five players from both sides and the referees for a job well done. It is a novel sign of appreciation that you don’t see in many sports.
Roller derby is a unique sport. One of the misconceptions is that it is a sport that is only played and appreciated by those that are labelled “alternative”. However, the great thing about roller derby is that people from all walks of life come together to play hard and then socialise just as hard afterwards. It is a physical and demanding sport, but there is a finesse and elegance there that must be seen to be truly appreciated. There are many who witnessed Roller Derby for the first time recently, but are counting down the days until the Limerick Roller Girls play their next public bout. I’m not sure that I’m brave enough to take a suicide seat just yet, but I won’t be too far away from the action.
Huge thanks to Mark O’Beirne for writing such an excellent report!
A players-eye view of our first bout
The Dockyard Destroyers took on the Dublin Roller Girls Reserves as part of a double-header on Saturday February 4th. It was the first time for any of LKRG to take part in any kind of bout, and it was the first inter-league experience for Belfast Roller Derby. LKRG captain Jewel Suffer has kindly given us an insight into what a first bout feels like.
My alarm clock woke me at 7am last Saturday morning. I was delighted that I had actually slept because the anticipation had been building the previous evening. I had every intention of eating a healthy breakfast but as I took my first few bites I realised my mouth was dry from the nerves and I just gave up.
Skatin’s Bride arrived to pick me up and we packed up the car and hit the road with a minor detour to pick up the
delightful Noémie. As we cruised along the road rocking out to an epic selection of cheesy 80’s power ballads the nerves turned to excitement. We could hardly contain ourselves. That is, of course, until we actually got there. Then it all came flooding back. I knew that the only thing that would make the nervousness go away was to hear the first whistle.
In the Dockyard Destroyers changing room the atmosphere was electric. Belfast and Limerick girls mingled and shared jokes, helped do each others’ make up and offered words of support. We were all in high spirits to be surrounded by such an awesome bunch of girls. For all of us it was our first inter- league bout and I have to say from my own perspective I couldn’t have faced it with a better bunch of girls.
We skated out with happy faces, just glad to be able to be part of this fantastic event and took to the bench to await first whistle. Playing in front of an audience was nerve-wracking initially, but as soon as things got under way that melted away and we were totally preoccupied with the task in hand. The first few jams went really well and we were all a little bit shocked that we were managing to play so well. Then we hit tremendous penalty trouble and our inexperience started to show. Dublin took the lead and remained ahead for the rest of the bout. That’s not to say we didn’t fight hard and execute some nice play. There were moments where we played out of our skins and it even looked for a while that we might have been able to turn it around, particularly in the second half when we came out fighting. It was sublime to hear the roar of our supporters every time we got lead jammer or scored some points. They spurred us on so much. We realised in that moment that no matter how tired we were we couldn’t ease off cause we didn’t want to disappoint those loyally screaming supporters! But, alas, it wasn’t to be for the Dockyard Destroyers, and the final score was 168 - 79 to DRG.
When this was all over we got to sit back relax and watch the DRG Vs Belfast bout and see how the big girls do it! Both team showed off their tremendous derby skills but Dublin came out on top with an impressive score of 279 - 18. Then the awards were given out. I was incredibly shocked to be voted ‘Best Jammer’ for the Dockyard Destroyers. Skatin’s Bride was awarded ‘MVP’ and Sylvia Wrath from BRD was awarded ‘Best Blocker’. A proud day for all involved.
Oh, and as a final note we definitely won the after party!!!
Photo by: Chris Craig photography
Jewel Suffer
Poster for the BLOCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN
(Click for event details)
LKRG skaters in first public bout - Feb 4th, Dublin
VS 
Limerick Roller Girls are delighted to announce our first public bout, sort of. Seven LKRG skaters will be teaming up with seven Belfast Roller Girls to create the Dockyard Destroyers who will take on the Dublin Roller Girls rookie team on February 4th at the Tallaght Basketball Arena.
