New Beginnings

I've been skating for just over a year and I figured it's about time for me to start chronicling my experiences with roller derby.  I want to make sure that I remember this time for how awesome it is, and maybe share a little of my life with people.  So I'll start with a re-post of the article I wrote for my company recently, which is a quick overview of my derby beginnings.  I hope you enjoy!

My passion for roller derby began when Dicky Yau, our Finance Manager in Asia, visited from Hong Kong.  I took him and my husband to our first Brewcity Bruisers (BCB) home season double header on April 16, 2011.  We watched teams of women take to the oval flat-track, and Jammers scored points as the opposing team’s Blockers threw hips and shoulders to knock them down.  I was captivated by these amazing women.

It had been years since I’d been involved in sports and longer since I’d worn roller skates, so it took me an entire year to get up the courage to get involved in one of the 10 most demanding extreme sports (http://www.buzzfeed.com/redbull/the-10-most-demanding-extreme-sports-594m).  In May 2012, I attended a roller derby boot camp, and I was hooked.

I tried out for the Fresh Brews that July - the training group for women hoping to be drafted onto one of the four Milwaukee home teams - but without the skills required to play, I didn’t make the cut.  I was disappointed but determined, and in November I joined the Brewcity Bootleggers, the BCB recreational league.  For the next 7 months I went to 2 practices every week and learned to block, hit, fall, and “jam.”  I even scrimmaged with the Madison rec league.

Months of pushing my limits and coming home with bruises and sore muscles made me stronger, faster, and more confident.  When I tried out for the Fresh Brews again in July 2013, I made it!  Now came the hard part.  For the next 4 weeks the training intensified, and I worked with the 24 other women who’d made the cut, focusing on becoming better players and preparing to learning how to hit - because what’s roller derby without a good hit?

As August approached, we all agonized over our skills, but the months of hard work paid off - I made the second cut.  I was so close to my dream of making a home team.  The final 4 weeks of training involved sessions with each of the 4 home teams - the Crazy 8’s, Maiden Milwaukee, Rushin’ Rollettes, and Shevil Knevils - getting to know the experienced skaters, learning from them, and seeing how well I might fit with their teams.

On October 18^th, 2013, the moment I’d worked toward finally arrived, and it was one of the most nerve-wracking days of my life.  The BCB Fundraising Gala was paired with the first-ever public draft.  I knew there weren’t enough open spots on the teams for everyone (22 Fresh Brews, and 3 transfer skaters from other leagues), and I’d seen them all skate - I was up against some very talented women.  Text messages were sent at 7:30pm to those that didn’t make it.  My phone was silent!  I could finally breathe - I’d made the draft!  At 9pm that night, it was announced that I’d been drafted to the Crazy 8’s, the team which had won the last 3 home season championships; and a new chapter in my life began.

This crazy sport has also given me opportunities to become more involved in my community.  Our Mission Statement says that the Brewcity Bruisers is an athletic organization that fosters strong women; offers opportunities for positive change in women’s physical, social and mental health; delivers a quality women’s sport; and support our community both physically and financially.  I got my first taste of this in July when I participated in the BCB annual “Give Back” picnic where people from the community came out to skate with the players, listen to music and hang out.  It’s important to this league that we help make the greater Milwaukee area a great place to live, so a portion of the proceeds from each bout is donated to local non-profit groups, and throughout the year our players volunteer in community service events.  

I couldn’t be happier to be involved with such an amazing organization, and going into the 2014 season I’m excited to skate on a great team as we work to uphold our record!