Coach-in-training

I'm keen to be a coach but don't have much experience - that's where my niece comes in handy as a willing guinea pig!  Zombocalinsay (as we'll call her) and I went for an outdoor skate today, but my plans to show her a few basics were scuppered when I found out she could do it all already...  A few tips on derby stance and a quick run through of stops were about all I managed before she was off, scooting around, hopping and jumping and finishing off with a few flashy turns.  And as I was trying out my retro disco style skates for the first time (such a difference from derby skates), she was skating rings around me and showing me up.  Great.  Ah well, it's a learning experience for everyone - I could claim that what she was able to do was down to me being super coach, but really, I don't think anyone would believe that!

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!