The Big Day

It was with nervous anticipation that I waited for the Fierce Valley Roller Cubs first public outing – The Fierce Valley Roller Girls Craft Emporium <http://www.fvrg.co.uk/news-story.php?id=31>. I was worried that I would not be able to answer any questions, worried that no one would ask questions and worried that we would have no one visit us all day.

The table was set up in lightening-speed time as the clock approached midday and our first guests started to visit us. Thankfully they knew about roller derby and asked some helpful questions about the age range of junior roller derby, and how this affected game play – thankfully questions we were able to respond to. Our next visitor was interested in finding out some more information for her niece and appeared happy with our responses and the leaflets that she went away with.

The next few hours seemed to pass by quickly with enquiries, people popping by to complete our questionnaire, and adults and potential Fierce Valley Roller Cubs taking part in our fundraising activities. We had an afternoon visit from the girls behind the Roller Grrls Comic < http://www.rollergrrrls.com/ >, and they were telling us all about their new venture Lil Rollers.

With the help of our founding cub members ‘Cam Cam Thank You Mam’ and ‘Itty Bitty Bang Bang’ we had the Fierce Valley Roller Cubs t-shirts being fashioned around the hall and Falkirk. Cam Cam took a stint on the table encouraging visitors to Find the Treasure and Guess the Number of Sweeties in the Jar. Unfortunately ‘Jenny and I Scream’ didn’t get her chance as she wasn’t well on the day.

Moving forward...

We have a couple of things on the go just now - those of us that wish to be coaches have now been approved and accepted as PVG scheme members, which enables us to work with children.  This is a huge step for us as this had to be in place before doing anything else.  We're all very excited (and reassured to know that we're not working alongside any secret criminals...)!
Interest in the Cubs continues to grow, Scottish Roller Derby has been very supportive and taken an interest in what we're doing - watch out for an article in the future!
Finally, we're busy planning for our stall at the Fierce Valley Roller Girls' Craft Fayre (Masonic Temple, Falkirk, 28th April, 12-4pm).  We'll be on hand to spread the word about the Cubs and answer as many questions as we can.  We'll also have a few games and competitions, as well as some yummy treats.  It'll be our first fundraising effort too so we hope to see loads of people there!

Craft Fayre

We're going to be in attendance at our big sister's craft fayre in Falkirk on Saturday 28th of April.  This will be our first fundraising/promotional event and it's going to be a great opportunity to spread the word in person, drum up a bit of interest and get some more cubs signed up.  We're lucky to have some crafty people and some talented bakers to make sure our stall will draw the crowds.  Anyone in the Falkirk area should drop in to see us - and if you're not in the Falkirk area, come anyway, it'll be worth it!

The all-consuming world of derby...

Those of you already involved with roller derby will know that it takes over a huge chunk of your life.  We’re quickly discovering that thinking and planning for junior derby will consume whatever is left.  There’s a baffling range of information available on insurance policies.  We’ve found a number of funding opportunities, all with their own specific conditions to meet.  How will we start fundraising?  Should we have kit available for the kids?  Who’s going to coach?  How involved will the parents be?  It’s hard to go into a hall without thinking “Ooh, I wonder what this floor’s like for skating” (and harder to convince people that we won’t ruin their floor).  You work hard to get your 12 year old niece to tell all her friends about it (eventually bribing her with a FVRG t-shirt).  You may even use your own children as guinea pigs.  Youtube is your most visited website.  You check the Facebook page to see how many likes you have.  You spend free moments at work updating the blog…  And it will all be worth it the very first time we have our Cubs together on skates!