I am no longer a Roller Derby virgin. I participated in my first bout last night, and I managed to do it without throwing up once! I can now say I’m a Rollergirl without feeling as if I’m not telling the 100% truth. The experience was exhilarating and made all those months of hard work, sweat and tears totally worth it. (Warning, this is long and winded and more for my memory than anything.)
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As we all arrived for practice Monday night, there was a lot of mixed energy in the air. Everyone was nervous and excited and dying of anticipation. Would they tell us what team we are on first? Or will they kick our asses at practice and let us know at the end? My stomach was in knots and I was really close to tossing my cookies. Soon the coaches and captains came out of their meeting and they mentioned the assignments would be announced while we stretch out. I searched the faces of our coaches to see if there were any signs as to who went where, but they were stone faced. Butterflies jumped from my tummy into my throat, as we took to the rink to do some warm up laps.

Soon we were stretching and the newbie coach skated over and slowly opened her notes. She announced to everyone that 6 girls were getting placed and she explained my situation. I was still getting placed because I’ve met all the requirements for attendance etc, and I had missed the last testing because I was sick. She looked at me straight in the eye and said, “You are going to have to work hard to pass your test tonight”. I choked on a butterfly. She then proceeded… “On VSS, Jenifer, Denise and Rachel”. We squealed in delight and I think my head exploded… YES YES YES!!! “On L.D.L. Regan, Ashlee and Stephanie”. More squeals and clapping and congratulations!!! We were all happy and a little sad; happy to be placed, sad to be divided up… but feeling awesome because in all actuality we are one big team… one big family!

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