Ready, Set, When am I going to Bout Already!?

When I started this roller derby "thing" I had to overcome a few hangups both emotional and physical. One of them is that I will never know what it feels like to have the long, graceful legs of a dancer and I can barely Macarena without putting an eye out. I know this sport is competitive but right now I am only competing with myself. I want to be better, stronger, and faster of course but what does that mean and how will it look for me?

Because I am still in new recruit training, I rely heavily on my trainers to tell me where my areas of improvement are. One measure of development I can see on a regular basis is my peer group and it's difficult not to compare myself to them. Everyone from my "class" has either dropped out or started bouting already so if I use them as a yardstick I am not doing great, but I haven't quit yet. Can I call that a victory? I guess the only thing I can do for now that is remind myself that my process is my own and continue to move forward.

Goals are important for school, work, as well as self discovery and development but there are things to remember when setting them. I would love to have speed like Slim Skatey, stability like Purdey Dirty, and hits like Suzy Muffincrusher but they didn't get they way over night. If I want to skate like the women I admire I have to stop trying to be like them and start trying to be like me. There is an art to goal setting and it takes a lot of thoughtful effort and self examination. 

There are many methods for goal setting, but here are some questions I have found useful in figuring out how I am going to achieve my desired outcome. I ask myself "How am I going to know when I have met my goal?", "Is this something that I can achieve?", and "How long should it take me to meet this?". Regular dialog with my trainers and peers is going to provide me with the ongoing feedback that I require to answer those questions.

I KNOW want to be bouting by October and I am going to make that happen. To achieve this, I must be specific in what I am asking of myself.  Today, I make this contract with my future self:

I, Mollytov Maguire, do solemnly pledge to strengthen my body and mind in the following ways:

1. Gain stronger rule knowledge
2. Condition my body to have endurance to play in a whole bout
3. Have better accuracy in my hits for both timing and placement

When the afformentioned goals have been met to the satisfaction of my future captains, I may be eligible to begin bouting.

Signed,
Mollytov Maguire
"Roller Derby Phenom in the Making"
FoCo Girls Gone Derby
August 30, 2012

There. Consider it done.

When I do meet these goals, my trainers and I feel that I will be in a good position to be bouting in October.  This is doable. Right? Right. Because my goal is time-bound in it's definition, I know when I have to complete it. But hey, that is just a reminder to live my life better, isn't it? This goal is just one thing in a long line of stuff that is going to make me better for the long haul. This one goal is only the first stop of the journey, a layover really, but it isn't the destination. It's meant to be accomplished and left in the dust. Let's say October comes, I play in my first bout, and IT IS GLORIOUS. What then? I don't know yet... That is a bridge I will only be able to cross when I get to it.

Derby love,
Mollytov Maguire

Lessons from RollerCon

Derby Crushes- From Rollercon 2012
Derby Crush Definition (according to Suga Smaxx): A skater (usually from another league) that you look up to, want to be, are completely fascinated and/or enamored by. Not specifically romantic but could blossom to become so (if you swing that way). Check out a great article here.
Derby Crushes are an interesting beast. Sometimes they're on skaters you have known about for awhile or could be someone that you have never heard of. RollerCon is a catalyst for a Derby Crush like no other. You watch great skaters play, take classes from those people, and get to know them.

Last RollerCon, I left with one ground shaking, can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t live without crush:

Smarty Pants

She was 2011’s WFTDA Newbie of the Year although she has skated bank track for quite some time. Smarty Pants is in her second season with TXRD, but previously skated with TXRG (the league credited with the reincarnation of Roller Derby back in 2001, and featured in the movie Whip It) for 8 years. She’s a world renowned trainer and coach, and in her first season on the bank track Smarty and her team took 3rd place at the 2011 WFTDA Championships. Smarty is also a skater for the first ever Team USA. This crush is still cemented in my derby heart, but I will be leaving RollerCon 2012 with so many more. I love them all differently, but with the same fervour.

Jackie Daniels
Plays for Windy City Rollers All Stars, Team Vagine Regime, Team Chupacrabra Peligroso (formerly Team Awesome). Built like a Pit Bull (ALL MUSCLE), a great teacher and rocks white jean shorts like you wouldn’t believe.

Fifi Nomenom
Plays for Angel City, Team Vagine and almost every 3-4 level bout during RollerCon 2012. I didn’t know Fifi before RollerCon, but her sheer determination during one POWER JAM to get some huge dude's last point made my heart go pitter-patter. Fifi is also one of the only openly transgendered skaters on a WFTDA team.

And last, but not least….

Teflon Donna
Skates for the Philadelphia Liberty Belles and Team USA. My derby crush on Teflon Donna was definitely the most intense crush I got at RollerCon. I even gave her my “Hey, you’re my derby crush!” card that came in my welcome kit. Tef is a great teacher, amazing skater with extreme resilience and all around cool person (She took the “Crush” card well). She also had the most adorable poster plastered all over RollerCon. I forgot to get a picture with her, but I got one with the poster!

So, there you have it, the loves of my derby life! Sorry, Mary Poppin’ Caps (my derby wife- that’s a whole other topic). Don’t be afraid to let your derby love blossom!

Live, Love, Skate!
Suga Smaxxx

Derby Passion

I love to ask every derby girl the same question:
Why did you join derby?
Whatever random way they heard about tryouts, or where they saw their first bout, the reason is always the same, they became INFECTED with the passion to play derby! I love that we all have that in common.

Having a group of 3 strong willed women doesn't always go so smooth, nevermind a group of 30 strong willed women!

But our common passion for derby, and the chance to play overcomes most adversity. That is why I love hanging out with derby girls.

Whatever your hobby, interest, or "thing" may be, I hope you become INFECTED with a passion for it!

My first bout was nearly 2 years ago. My husband and I took our family to a bout in Greeley for Easter. I had seen Roller Derby on T.V. when I was a kid, and was pretty excited, even though I knew it was fake and choreographed back in the 80's.

I watched FoCo Girls Gone Derby vs. Slaughterhouse Derby Girls, and WHOA!!!!! This was NOT fake, these were amazing women, playing for REAL! REAL HITS! REAL FALLS! REAL BADASS WOMEN!!!



I knew right away that I wanted to try to do this, but had not skated in nearly 20 years! (I will tell you about learning to skate next time.) I wished (and still do wish ) that I had found a way to play derby 10 years ago. I told my husband that I really wanted to play, but I thought I was too old (34).

This is what I love about my husband, he walked right up to the bench manager of FoCo, and asked her what it takes to play. He also told her that I thought I was too old. She came right over to me, told me about the next recruitment, and then said "And you are perfect just the way you are, there is a place for every shape and size in derby".

What????!!! I could feel good about my appearance, fit in, hit girls, get in better shape, and have fun?

And that is exactly what I have gotten to do while playing derby!

DERBY EVERY DAY!
~Slamma

December 5th Season Closer

YOU ARE INVITED TO BEAR WITNESS TO
MATRIMONY ON WHEELS AND
A KNOCKDOWN DRAG-OUT ROLLER DERBY BOUT
Saturday, Dec. 5 at Rollerland Skate Center, 324 S. Link Lane, Fort Collins
Doors open at 6 p.m., bout begins at 7

Fort Collins’ home teams, Chanel Cartel & Deathrow Dolls, will meet on the track one last time in 2009. It has been a tumultuous season for Northern Colorado’s original roller derby league, but FoCo Girls Gone Derby never fails to put on exciting and entertaining bouts. Each bout this year has been highly competitive, and on Dec. 5, underdogs Chanel Cartel hope to close out the season with a win against powerhouse team Death Row Dolls.



This year’s season closer is also a very special night for Chanel Cartel skater Kaiti “Rox Yorr Soxov” Hines, who will wed fiancé Matt Orr during halftime. FoCo coach Reverend Jimmie James will perform a brief, but completely legitimate, ceremony. The bride won’t be wearing white, though; she’ll be sporting her team colors: black and gold, and – of course – her skates! You’ve seen her cut through the pack as a jammer and knock girls down as a blocker, but on Dec. 5, you will get the rare opportunity to see Roxy as a blushing bride.

Instead of a wedding gift, bring a toy to donate to the Toys for Kids drive and get $2 off admission to the bout. FoCo derby girls are partnering with the City of Fort Collins Recreation Department in their benefit to collect toys for disadvantaged youths in Fort Collins. Toys should be new, in the package, but unwrapped and appropriate for kids ages 3-12.

As with all of our bouts, beer will be on sale for those 21 and older. An afterparty location will be announced at the bout.

Presale tickets are $10, and tickets will be $15 at the door. Students receive a reduced rate of $7 with a current student ID. Ages 10 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased through the Rollerland Skate Center ticket booth, from any FoCo derby girl or online at www.brownpapertickets.com or www.focogirlsgonederby.com. Purchases also can be processed via phone at 1-800-838-3006.

For more information, visit www.focogirlsgonederby.com

Black & Blue Ball - Oct 10th

>

FoCo Girls Gone Derby on Video... by Nigel Aves

Thunder in the Rockies 2009
FoCo Girls Gone Derby - Donna's VS Bruising Altitude

thank you Nigel Aves of Soft Focus Imaging

Logo Design Contest

That's right all you artsy-derby lovers!

We want you to design the sweetest derby logo in existence for your very own FoCo Girls Gone Derby. We are looking for your original design, or new rendition of our existing logo, to plaster on posters, handbills, t-shirts, buttons and everything FoCo!

And what do you get in return? Well, aside from fortune, fame and the undying adoration of the FoCo Girls Gone Derby, you'll receive a Weblink, recognition in the 2010 FCGGD Programs, a 2010 VIP Season Ticket and a sweet swag bag of Derby merch featuring your design.

***OFFICIAL RULES***
1. All artwork submitted must be original and may not compromise the copyright of any previously published piece or other derby league's logo.
2. All artwork must be submitted by Nov. 2.
3. Number of entries is unlimited.
4. Entries must incorporate the text "FoCo Girls Gone Derby".
5. Entries may be submitted via email to winnie_chester_270@yahoo.com. Emails should not exceed 8MB. Zipped/Compressed files are acceptable. Submissions on CDs will be accepted, however, CD will not be returned.
6. Vector-based entries are preferred, however entries may be submitted in the following formats: .EPS .AI(CS3 or Below) .PSD .PDF .JPG .TIF
7. Entries must include artist's name, phone number and email address.
8. Upon entry in to the FoCo Girls Gone Derby Logo Redesign Contest, artist agrees to allow FoCo Girls Gone Derby to reproduce/display logos for contest promotional purposes.
9. Winner of the FoCo Girls Gone Derby Logo Redesign Contest agrees to allow FoCo Girls Gone Derby unlimited use/reproduction rights of the winning logo for FoCo Girls Gone Derby promotional purposes.

******JUDGING
Submissions will be judged by FoCo Girls Gone Derby. After an intial round performed by the PR Committee, submissions will be voted on by the entire league.

******TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
1. If you are new to the concept of Roller Derby, take a look at what other leagues across the nation have used to visually represent themselves. Get inspired, but don't steal.
2. Keep in mind that this logo will be screen printed, embroidered, spray painted (maybe even tattooed?) on everything that is FCGGD. We need something that will look fabulous whether it measures 1 inch (buttons) or 3 feet (banners).
3. An un-official survey of the skaters found that a circular logo was favored. But don't feel confined to one shape, you're the art-genius, dazzle us with your vision!
4. Tough, Sexy, Athletic, Hard-Core, all good words to describe the logo we are looking for. If you are feeling creatively blocked, ask a rollergirl. We're happy to wax poetically about Roller Derby, in fact some of us can't stop.
5. Feel free to capitalize on our existing logo, since she is a sweet, sexy, sassy lil' gal. If you choose to offer a new rendition, please be sure to use her as your inspiration, but make it your original artwork.

Media Coverage - Loveland Reporter Herald 07/20/09

‘Theater’ on wheels
Drama, competition, daring apparel all a part of area roller derby league

By Kathryn Dailey
Loveland Reporter-Herald

Lawyer, stay-at-home mom and art director may be their day jobs, but when the fishnets and roller skates come out, these women become the girls of roller derby.
“It’s kind of a theater. It’s a way to bring some more excitement, more drama to the sport,” said Lyons resident Brittany Strachan of the colorful, daring apparel donned by the skaters. Read the complete story here... LovelandFYI.com

Whip It! Trailer

End of Derby Vacation

Whew! Although we may have had a bit of a break from practice, derby has not been in the background for most of us. We are getting ready to host the Greeley Slaughterhouse girls at the Budweiser Events Center on Sunday, July 19, 2009. With the bout being in a different venue, on a different day and in the afternoon rather than our usual Saturday night bouts at Roller Land, this has presented a challenge for quite a few of us. But, we are derby! No challenge is too big for us! It's shaping up to be a great bout with some great sponsors contributing and the FoCo Girls Gone Derby working their little booties off to ensure our fans will have a great afternoon! Although we are still finalizing our halftime entertainment, it promises to be fan interactive and just as entertaining as the bout itself. After the bout, look for your favorite derby girls from both FoCo and Slaughterhouse to sign autographs and answer any derby questions you fans might have. Also, keep your eyes peeled during the bout for our Derby Ambassadors who will be available to answer questions and help explain the rules.

Keep checking back for the after party info! Love and Skate, babies!

~Mary Queen O' Shots

FoCo’s Death Row Dolls and Chanel Cartel bout June 13, 2009

FoCo’s Death Row Dolls and Chanel Cartel
are Refueled and Ready to Rumble
FoCo Girls Gone Derby, Northern Colorado’s foremost roller derby league, will bout
Saturday, June 13
at Rollerland Skate Center, 324 S. Link Lane, Fort Collins
Doors open at 6 p.m., bout begins at 7


FoCo Girls Gone Derby’s last bout on May 9 was a close one, with your two hometown teams, Chanel Cartel and Death Row Dolls, duking it out for domination. Death Row took the lead early and didn’t let up, with Chanel Cartel hot on their heels the entire bout. In the end, the Death Row Dolls pulled ahead with a 115-102 win.

That’s how we roll at FoCo. Your hometown teams are evenly matched in skill and strength, but each has its unique assets and cast of characters. Each bout presents a new line-up as veteran skaters are benched with injuries and new recruits join the ranks. Strategy is constantly evolving as the teams adapt new tactics to pummel the opponent. No plays are ever duplicated, and no two bouts are the same. All of this makes every match a must-see and entertaining event for our fans.

For your added enjoyment, FCGGD features halftime entertainment and beer for sale at every bout. Fort Collins band The Piggies will rock the June 13 bout. And fans are welcome to join us at the Aggie Theater for our afterparty on June 13 with bands The Photo Atlas and Ten Timers.

Choose a team to rally behind, or just cheer for the girl with the dirtiest derby name. Every FoCo Girls Gone Derby bout is guaranteed to be a good time.

Entry is $10 for presale tickets and $15 for tickets purchased at the door. Students receive a reduced rate of $7 with a current student ID. Ages 10 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased through the Rollerland Skate Center ticket booth, The Bean Cycle coffee shop, any FCGGD Roller Girl or online at http://www.brownpaperticket.com/. Purchases also can be processed via phone at 1-800-838-3006.

**Wanna get involved with the girls of FCGGD?**
For information about recruitment, refereeing, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities visit: http://www.focogirlsgonederby.com/

**NOTE: Members of both teams are available for interviews. Tickets are also available as promotional give-aways during interviews.

Skating as a kid...

Hello Poison Divey here...

I have said many times "who knew skating every weekend as a kid would ever come in handy again". Knowing how to skate pretty well has helped with my confidence & just busting through the first part of training, but really its coming back to haunt me. I never joined speed skating or anything, just could skate backwards and rock out to Another One Bites the Dust & a some YMCA. Toe stops... is the huge down fall I'm feeling. I have this elementary school years trained instinct to go onto the damn toe stop. Its hard & I still feel super new to Derby. No matter how many times I tell myself to stop doing it, I concentrate on something & it sneaks back in. damn it. I'll get it. I just wish I could get it all so much quicker. (Problem with toe stops is that my balance is not very sturdy & anyone can just knock me over, I'm balanced on a little piece of rubber)

Going through training I was super confident - I had it down... I skated so much in elementary and can ride a skateboard in the bowls well enough (I got falling DOWN). But when you start skating in a pack, there is so much to think about, so many skills to develop all at once - so many dynamics. I find myself focusing in on one thing I need to get down & forget the other 3. I know it will come in time.. but its frustrating & I know its frustrating to the coaches (coaches are like " I told you not to use your toe stops anymore Divey"), like I'm not getting it. But DAMN, if you could witness my the visions in my head when I'm trying to fall asleep. I get it all down. Actually, I think that helps. Just having those visions of everything falling in place. I used to skate bowls the same way, finding those lines... ummm. Doesn't make for a good night sleep.

I truly admire all the ladies that have stuck through all these challenges and I plan to do the same. Derby has seemed to consume much more than I planned of my life & I'm happy here. I don't want to do derby, just so I can say I'm one of those rocking derby girls I want to be really good at it, at every position. I am so happy I have urrkn pushing me. I also feel so lucky to have such a huge variety of new friends.

I went all over the place with this post, I meant to just talk about my toe stops coming back to bite me in the ass, but so happy that I can put some muscle into my crosses. Having my early skating experience has helped me a lot, but there is so much more than skating involved. I've always been really hard on myself & its not low self confidence, its that I don't want to kid myself & think that I am good at something when there is so much I need to improve on. Its hard going through the learning curve & not rocking at something... but it will be worth it. I will rock... for those about to rock - we salute you. ha. not sure how an AC/DC song floated into this post, but there you are...

Divey #34A
FOCO Girls Gone Derby

Northern Colorado's Premier Roller Derby League - Home Bout

FoCo’s Death Row Dolls and Chanel Cartel
are back for the Ultimate Grudge Match!

FoCo Girls Gone Derby, Northern Colorado’s foremost roller derby league, will bout
Saturday, May 9 at Rollerland Skate Center, 324 S. Link Lane, Fort Collins
Doors open at 6 p.m., bout begins at 7




After a highly controversial outcome to the Season Opener in March, FoCo Girls Gone Derby are back for the ultimate grudge match between your two hometown teams, Chanel Cartel and Death Row Dolls.

FoCo’s derby season started with a smash. Having led most of the bout, Chanel Cartel was ahead as the clock wound down. In a nail-biting finale, the refs decided to hold one last jam in which Death Row managed to rack up enough points to win… or did they?

The final score has been hotly contested by the teams, but they are willing to settle the matter civilly – through hip checks – at the upcoming bout. No hard feelings, just hard hits.

FoCo Girls Gone Derby roller girls will participate in Walk MS at Loveland/Centerra on Saturday, May 9, and a portion of the proceeds from this bout will go to the National MS Society.

Entry is $10 for presale tickets and $15 for tickets purchased at the door. Students receive a reduced rate of $7 with a current, valid student ID. Ages 10 and under get in free. Tickets can be purchased through the Rollerland Skate Center ticket booth, The Bean Cycle, any FCGGD Roller Girl or online at the official FCGGD Web site http://www.focogirlsgonederby.com/ or at http://www.brownpaperticket.com/. Purchases also can be processed via phone at 1-800-838-3006.

**Wanna get involved with the girls of FCGGD?**
For information about recruitment, refereeing, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities visit: http://www.focogirlsgonederby.com/

**NOTE: Members of both teams are available for interviews. Tickets are also available as promotional give-aways during interviews.