Leigh-on-Sea

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Welcome to the wonderful world of roller derby! We’re super excited you’re interested in SSRG! If, like I did, you’re asking yourself, “What EXACTLY is Roller Derby?” then allow me to shed some light. Roller Derby is an American-invented, predominately female, full-...contact sport. Derby is played on quad skates – no rollerblades here (booo hisss)! As well as quads, players wear padded protection to minimise the impact of bumps, bangs and falls. Yes, we fall… and we fall hard! A whole game of Derby is known as a bout. A bout is made up of several two-minute sessions, each called a jam. It’s played on an oval track and there are five players on each team. The object of the game is for certain players – called jammers – to lap members of the opposing team – known as blockers – to score points. One blocker from each team is a pivot and it is they who are out front and determine the pace of the pack. Sounds easy? It’s not… There is skill involved, honest! For the duration of the jam, blockers try to stop the opposing team’s jammer from getting through the pack – mostly with their shoulders and booty – pa… pa… pa… pow!! – whilst at the same time trying to help their own jammer get through the pack. So not only is technical skill required, but also tactical skill. Whilst there area few leagues in the US who play on banked tracks, the majority of the leagues, and definitely all UK leagues, play on a flat track. Which ever way you play it through, the most important thing is that it’s a lot of metal and mayhem… and a lot fun! Clear as mud? For a far more eloquent, more comprehensive explanation of Flat Track Roller Derby, please check out www.wftda.com, the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s website or Roller Derby on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_derby. The Seaside Siren Roller Girls are South Essex’s first, all rockin, all rollin, all female Roller Derby league. We’re a friendly, diverse, if not slightly mental, bunch that loves meeting and encouraging new members. We’re professionals, mothers, students and wives from all ethnicities and all backgrounds. We currently practice every Sunday afternoon on Canvey Island. To get started you’ll need your own pair of quad skates. We may be able to supply spares for your first few sessions, but once you seriously decide to join the league you need to get hold of your own skates pretty sharpish! Padded protection is also required – knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, a helmet and mouth guard. We don’t wear them to look pretty, but SSRG won’t even let you strap on your skates without them! Besides all that, and before you go shelling out tonnes of money usually ear-marked for shoes, kittens, vodka, fishnets and other girlie things – come down to a practice session and watch what we do! We won’t hold it against you if you decide it’s not for you, scouts honour. Plus, we’re always looking for volunteers to help out off-skates. You’re welcome to come watch at any time, but Freshmeat Sunday’s are held the first Sunday of every month – this is when you can actually strap your skates on and get low with the team! Since derby is a grassroots production – for skaters, by skaters – we do ask that each girl contribute to the cost of sailing the ship. Contact us for details. Next Fresh Meat Sunday’s: 3rd Jan, 7th Feb and 7th March. If you’re still interested in joining – and we hope you are – give us a shout and we’ll forward you over our practice address. In the meantime, thanks for getting in contact and start thinking of your derby name… Derby or die!!!