Sugar & Spice: See What These Girls Are Made Of

(Photo credit: Sean Laughlin)

Our league's youngest skaters started Fall off right with a whirlwind tour of the southland. First up was a scrimmage with the up and coming skaters of Long Beach Junior Roller Derby. It was a perfect mix of sugar, spice, and everything nice in the LBC. And don't let their size fool you-- these little ladies know how to hit like a girl!

Fearless, fierce, and not afraid to fall or take a hit, our skaters brought it for SFV against the Baby Dolls of the San Diego Derby Dolls. Because the Baby Dolls are a team composed of younger skaters, this was a great opportunity for some of our more junior juniors to shine, and they did just that! We are so proud of our girls!

(Photo credit: Jon Cobb)

If one thing is for sure, it's that The Like OMGs are never satisfied to just sit around on their laurels. After winning against the West Coast Derby Knockouts in August, our fiercest skaters headed back up to Ventura to take on the Vendolls of the Ventura County Derby Darlins. The Like OMGs were determined to leave no doll standing and claimed victory 212 to 96. Congrats to MVP Jammer Kat Von Reap, MVP Blocker Lethalicious, and Overall MVP Killo Kitty!

Roll Models: Mother & Daughter Skaters Share Their Love for Derby

SFVRD has a number of skaters who are mothers with daughters who also skate with our Juniors team, The Gnarlies. How has this common ground positively effected their mother/daughter relationships and encouraged each other to succeed in derby?

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Agony Christie with her daughter, DangerBird

Agony Christie, The Wipeouts Co-Captain & DangerBird's Mom:
How many of us can say that we have a shared experience with our daughters that is outside of the typical mother/daughter roles? 

As skaters with SFVRD, Danger Bird and I travel to tournaments, bouts, and workshops together. We share hotel rooms and cheer each other on. We can relate to each other's hard wins and tough losses. 

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Reapa Slayworth with her daughter, Miss Chifmaker

Just as sure as I model strength and persistence to her, she teaches me what it is to be brave and resilient. We know we are part of a much larger family of moms, daughters, and sisters.
 
HaHaHarley, Fresh Meat Skater & Rainbow Smash's Mom:
My daughter and I both playing roller derby has strengthened our relationship. It helped expand our common ground and created a new way of relating to each other. Since she started playing first, she actually helped teach me how to do certain things on the track. It was quite a role reversal for me and a great confidence booster for her. Roller derby has provided us both a community which is full of people who are strong, hard working, and diverse. We have a place for quality time and something the whole family can be involved in. This is a place where friendships are built and a sense of accomplishment is achieved. We are each other’s biggest fan. What more could I ask for?
 
Reapa Slayworth, The Fer Sures Skater & Miss Chifmaker's Mom:
The sense of empowerment being a part of these strong, confident female athletes was an experience I knew I wanted to give my daughter. It's a sisterhood at every level, the acceptance and encouragement in derby is universal. Watching my daughter have that same reaction after her first practice was amazing. 

Her sense of determination and grit was inspiring. As she grows up I am so happy for her to be a part of this family that will value and validate her strength and athleticism. 

Not only do we have each other to share in this experience, but we have the gift of this community. One that bolsters you, empowers you, and through our mutual love of derby, brings us closer together.

Power Jam: Derby Art and Literature

Successful Junior Fundraiser

In early February, the POWER JAM: Derby Art and Literature event raised funds for SFV Junior Roller Derby by showing off SFV’s artsy-fartsy side! The fundraiser was hosted by bookshop Book Show and print studio/gallery NOMAD, who donated the space, a portion of book sales, and all live printing funds to benefit the cause. The day featured outstanding artwork of all types that filled the gallery space. SFV adult skaters, juniors, and parents created, collaborated, and donated their derby-themed pieces to the silent auction, which was a smashing success.

The art included everything from watercolor to handsewn pieces to sculpture to photography. The afternoon also featured the literary arts with many of the juniors, adults, and parents reading heartfelt prose and poetry inspired by their experiences in and around the sport.

Another main attraction of the event was Mama Glide’s PEZATORIUM, a room showcasing some of the historical Pez Candy dispensers and items that are a part of her collection of over 10,000 pieces. At the end of the day, what was most evident was that woven throughout all of the inspired artwork and writings featured at POWER JAM, was the strength, confidence, teamwork, and athleticism the girls have gained through playing the sport.

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