Meet the Rookies: Violent Femmes

The Violent Femmes are the dirtiest girl gang around. They’re a rowdy, high-energy bunch that’s ready to fight! Get to know two of their newest members.

Lady Gotcha – Violent Femmes

Lady Gotcha

What drew you to roller derby? How did you find out about NSRD?

The first time I saw roller derby I was in Montreal. I just knew it was something I wanted to do so the following week I bought my first pair of roller skates. My cousin played for NSRD for a minute and when I moved to Minneapolis I looked the team up. They made joining so easy and welcoming.

Tell us about your derby name!

I dreamt I was roller skating with Lady Gaga and we danced the snowball together.

What did you enjoy most about bootcamp? What was it like transitioning to league?

I enjoyed connecting with a cohort of skaters. I play against these folks now and I can’t believe how much they have changed. I wanted to play derby day one, so it required a lot of patience transitioning to the league.

 

What did you enjoy about your first bout/s? Were you nervous?

I’m always nervous before a bout.

What have you learned from the Femmes so far?

Many of us join derby for social reasons but lots of leagues struggle to create a sense of community. The Femmes do this really well. They have strong leadership that models how to have fun and we play stronger because of it.

Sailor Mouth – Violent Femmes

 

Sailor Mouth

What drew you to roller derby? How did you find out about NSRD?

A few years back, I brought my nephew to a bout and he was raving how “cool” it was. I thought “I could totally do this!” A couple years passed, life happened, and I was looking for a change, so this past spring I reached out to NSRD to join a clinic. It was my first time on skates since junior high, and I have been here since!

Tell us about your derby name!

I am in sales so I talk a lot. And, when I talk, I swear… a lot. Sailor Mouth seemed an excellent fit!

What did you enjoy most about bootcamp? What was it like transitioning to league?

Going into bootcamp, I hadn’t been on roller skates since junior high, so I loved learning all the skills to get me feeling confident. Transitioning to league was such a fantastic experience because I got to learn so much more from my teammates. The Femmes are amazing, are incredibly helpful and caring, and wanted me to grow and improve. It’s a family! We laugh and play hard, and I couldn’t be happier!

What did you enjoy about your first bout/s? Were you nervous?

I loved getting the chance to play with my teammates in a live-action setting. We put a lot of hours in to fine-tune what we do in a bout and it was awesome to get the chance to play with amazing players! SO nervous! I don’t think the pre-bout nerves will ever fade.

What have you learned from the Femmes so far?

Remember to laugh! This is a tough sport full of hard hits, some major bruises, and a whole lot of emotions. But, I am here because I love the sport. So, when the going gets tough… remember to laugh!