As a new derby season approaches so too does recruitment of fresh meat for most leagues. This week we head up to Newcastle to catch up on the NRDL fresh meat information day which was held last Sunday at their home ground in Gateshead.
It may not have been bout day but the place was buzzing with activity as people were greeted at the door by Apocalypse Pwnie and then directed into the room where all the action was. There were skaters skating around warming up for the scrimmage demo and there were some other well known faces off skates to help answer any questions. From the NSO’s to the skaters everyone pitched in to help which was a great example to the perspective fresh meat on what a league can achieve if everyone helps out.
As people settled in the ever-awesome Mal Adjusted took up his familiar commentary role dressed in his signature pink outfit as he took the crowd through the schedule for the day then it was onto the scrimmage demo. Mal took the crowd through the basics of roller derby with a little help from the skaters who were involved in the demo.
As for the demo itself there was no shortage of fire power as the likes of Reggie Ramjet, Booga, Brigand Strong, Lady Quirkinator and co took to the track. It did start off fairly mellow, with a few laughs between the skaters and playing at a slower pace but it didn’t take long for things to spice up within the next jam, there were hits and falls galore with a trip to the penalty box thrown in for good measure.
While the demo may not have had the constant intensity a NRDL bout usually does the likes of Booga and Belt’er Goodrem were playing like it was the season decider, whether they were charging through the pack when they were jammer or absolutely annihilating opposing blockers or jammer with some spectacular hits. In one jam Calamity Cutthroat got through the pack when all of a sudden Booga appeared out of nowhere from the pack and smashed her with an amazing hit that she almost slid out through the fire exit door.
The bout itself ended 74-34 for the black coloured team and it wasn’t hard to see why with the likes of Booga and Belt’er going hard out. Overall it had everything, hits, tactics, falls and trips to the penalty box to give the crowd a nice introduction into the world of roller derby. The demo also gave the crowd a chance to see some of the upcoming skaters like ChamPain Showers and Tiny Tempah in action.
For the Q & A session they looked quite professional with a panel set up featuring a cross section of the league from the President, to head of Team Zebra to head coach. The panel members even had a glass of water in front of them, the only thing missing was their own microphones then the image would have been complete! The Fresh Meat Co-ordinator Beaver Destruction led the Q&A session and told the crowd they could ask the panel members ANYTHING which could have led to some interesting questions but alas the crowd were on their best behaviour and kept their questions to appropriate derby questions. The Panel did a great job pointing out that derby isn’t just looking pretty and putting on skates, a lot of effort and commitment are both required. Also roller derby isn’t just about the skaters, they illustrated the importance of Team Zebra and NSO’s and what they bring to a league if people didn’t want to become derby skaters.
The old age question about choosing a derby name came up. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name NRDL have a solution for you – GodJilla will come up with a name for you as some of her team mates can attest to. To those of you perspective fresh meat folk I dare one of you to go with the name Sold Separately JillaGod just to see Jilla’s reaction haha
Beaver Destruction was extremely happy with the turnout and believes it was best turnout yet for NRDL’s fresh meat information day. If you weren’t able to make the info session on Sunday fear not the four week beginner course starts on 25th February with the try out day 18th March. For any further information e-mail Beaver at freshmeatcoord@newcastlerollerderby.org.au If you can’t make it to this try out, NRDL will be having another one in July/August.
Before then NRDL kick off their intraleague season on the 17th March with the Fort Smashleys taking on the Harbour Hellcats in what will no doubt be another amazing season.
You can skate with NRDL THIS Saturday: Feb 25th at their Roller Disco!!!
By Lisbeth Slammed-her
Before I tried out for fresh meat I took some skating lessons. I took lessons from whoever would teach me. As a result, I spent my Saturday mornings decked out in full derby gear surrounded by lots of kids in figure skates learning to do pretty things like three turns and waltz jumps (check out 
