by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Maritime Mauler was excited to post on her facebook page that she passed the first hurdle to becoming a roller derby competitor.
The mother of three from Cobden, she heard about the Renfrew County Roller Derby League during a Girl’s Night Out this past March in Renfrew. She recalled the three women at the table were “very encouraging” about the sport. While Maritime Mauler, also known as Debbie Ready, thought you had to be young and tough, she discovered the sport is for any body size and any type of person.
Desiree Krieger, aka Destroy and Conquer, is one of the derby coaches for The Valley Valkyries, which is the only team in the Renfrew County Roller Derby League. She said to be a participant, a woman must be over 18.
“We’ll take anyone willing to get on skates,” she said. “It’s an amazing form of exercise and hard work.
“I’m into fitness and always wanting to do more.”
There are currently 12 members in the league and three Fresh Meat (newcomers to roller derby), she said.
The club practises year round in Renfrew. When there’s ice in the Ma-te-way Centre, the practice is at the Renfrew Wing.
Games are usually March through September, Ms. Krieger said. Since there are no other teams in the Renfrew league, they play teams from Ottawa, Trenton, Kingston and Belleville. There is hope more women will join the sport so teams can be created, she said.
Roller derby is played on an oval track. There are usually five members from each team on the track at one time. The idea is that one player from each team is a jammer and must get from the back of the pack to the front. However, the other four members of each team are blockers, which means they are trying to keep the opposing jammer from getting to the front.
Ms. Krieger said in 2012 the sport was first held at the Beachburg Arena with most of the recruits coming from Arnprior and Renfrew, which is why the league moved to Renfrew about three years ago.
Ms. Ready, 42, attended an open house the League hosted in April and found the members to be friendly and inviting and were hoping for new women to join the league.
“We tried on equipment and they answered any questions and concerns I had,” she recalled. “The next thing I know, I’m in Ottawa buying gear.”
Maritime Mauler purchased a Fresh Meat Kit, which included skates, knee and elbow pads, mouthguard, wrist guards and a helmet.
The League meets each Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Ma-te-way Centre in Renfrew. However, Wednesday night is Maritime Mauler’s night because that’s when the Fresh Meat, as the newcomers are known, train. Another newcomer is 31-year-old Diane Wright from Beachburg. She tried the sport out last year, but became too busy, so stopped and has started again this year. She hasn’t yet chosen a roller derby name for herself.
“It keeps me active,” she said adding, “I’m surprised how much there is to learn.”
For the first eight weeks, the Fresh Meat learn some of the roller derby basics, such as how to start and stop on roller skates, balance, fall properly, perform crossovers, weave among players and speed.
“Desiree is a good coach,” she said.
Ms. Krieger noted safety is most important to the members.
“This is a full body contact sport so understanding the safety rules and the basics of the sport is important,” she said. “They learn where they can contact and how to contact, the other players.”
Destroy and Conquer said years ago the sport was promoted for women who had a mean vibe. In Kansas City Bomber, starring Raquel Welch, it wasn’t a sport for the timid person.
“Today, it’s not as aggressive as it once was,” she said. “The camaraderie is good and we’re a tight community.”
The Renfrew County Roller Derby League is part of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association, which means there is a membership fee, which helps cover rental spaces and insurance, Ms. Krieger said.
Explaining the derby names, Destroy and Conquer said each one is a personal choice. The names can be influenced by a variety of things, such as a person’s favourite band or character or personalities.
“Each skater comes up with their own name,” she said.
Maritime Mauler grew up, and still has family, on the east coast.
“I wanted something from the Maritimes because I still have family there,” she said. Laughing, she added, “It’s like an alter ego. It’s another side to yourself.”
She enjoys roller derby, noting it’s an opportunity to get away from the mom, wife and work person.
“I like the challenge, the fun and the girls,” Maritime Mauler said.
She encourages every woman who wants to challenge herself to join the sport and grow it in Renfrew County. Maritime Mauler invited women to come to the Ma-te-way Centre, or the Wing depending on the time of year, and check out the sport. Or, they can email [email protected] or check out Renfrew County Roller Derby on Facebook.
