September 2011

In roller derby world, Moniuk has been a quick study – Burlington Union

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By Doug Hastings

Burlington — For all of those girls that couldn’t get that rebound around Stephanie Moniuk on the basketball court, it’s OK.

Take a ride to Manchester, N.H. later this fall and you’ll feel a little better. Moniuk, 40, has an interesting hobby these days.

Read more at wickedlocal.com…

September Featured Skater: Atari Joykick

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Get comfortable and get ready for a chat with Atari JoyKick,  #2600 from the Granite Skate Troopers.  She’s a hard working lady, Mom, card designer…AND ATHLETE!  Atari has a BIG HEART that shows in her life as well as her attitude towards skating.  Thanks for showing us the true spirit of derby.

I have to ask the obvious.  What’s with the name and number (Atari 2600)?  You don’t seem like a gamer…especially one that kicks it old school.

In 1982, my sister bought an Atari 2600, and I’ve been hooked on video games ever since! As a kid, we would have family Pac-Man competitions (even with prizes!), and I was constantly begging my sister to let me play… “Can I play Atari?? Please???” (Thanks, Sis!)   Aside from that, I’m probably more of a gamer than most boys you know ;) In the arcade, or at home… It brings out my fun and competitive side. Atari will always be the first, and the best :)

How did you come to derby?  Did you know someone who was involved?

In April of 2010, I randomly asked my friend what she had always wanted to do with her life. Her answer: be a roller derby girl. (Certainly not the answer I was expecting!!) I looked it up online, and NHRD was having a sign up two weeks from that date. I went out and bought my friend some cheap skates and gear. I told her I’d go with her for “moral support,” but as we were leaving to sign her up, I said, “I want to try it too!!” We got me some cheap skates and gear, and the rest is history.

I’ve been with the league for quite some time, and I’ve seen people come and go.  Everyone is gung ho from the start, but then the going gets tough…  I’ve seen you work so hard and improve so much.  I was there for your first scrimmage and you got sent to the box!  I was so happy for you – as were your teammates.  There’s obviously a spark inside that keeps you going.  Could you talk about it?

Derby has been/continues to be the hardest and most fun thing I’ve ever done in my life! When I started, I could only skate in a straight line, and couldn’t stop without using a wall or a floor to crash into! When I signed up, pretty much everyone I told laughed right in my face. I have never played a sport, or been athletic in any way. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I CAN do this, and I WILL.  It’s a struggle mentally and physically for me, but… you know it’s for you when you leave practice crying in frustration and still can’t wait to put those skates back on and try again! :)  At a recent bout, I heard the announcer say, “All of these girls are athletes!”…. It shocked me, and I thought, “Wow. I’m an athlete???… Hey! I AM AN ATHLETE!!!” I felt proud of how far I’ve come.

Words of advice for newbies (and oldbies!) on hanging in there?

Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s easy to get frustrated when you are struggling and others appear to do things effortlessly. You are not those people… You can just be the best “you” that you can be! Ask for advice and assistance. Derby girls are amazing and will ALWAYS help you! Don’t be intimidated! Just ask!! (I do!)  The best advice I can give is never, ever, ever, ever give up. Ever.

You are also quite the artist and card creator.  How extensive is this art career?

As a little kid, I wanted to “grow up to be an artist.” About seven years ago, I realized that I was hand-painting forty Christmas cards at a time, and each year it was growing in number! I decided to open my own online shop, making and selling my art and hand-painted cards. I have now sold my cards to people all over the U.S. and the world! It makes me happy to think that someone would want to buy/own something I’ve made… It’s a great feeling!    Atari was too shy, but I weaseled it out of her.  Visit her website @  http://www.etsy.com/shop/happydaystudio

You have the cutest little son ever!  What does Elijah think about Mom being a derby girl?

Awww, thank you! First off, he loves the ladies…. So obviously he loves hanging out at practice. :) Derby is a huge time commitment, so I try to include him as much as I can. You may see him  at fundraising events or at bouts cheering on his favorite teams (currently the Troopers – of course! – and the Cherry Bombs.)  I want to teach him that even when something is hard, you have to keep trying. When you fall down (literally or figuratively), you always get back up – no matter what. I always use myself as an example, “Did you see Mommy fall down all those times? Did you see me get right back up again? That’s what we do! You always get back up! Even if it’s hard!” I hope someday he’ll be proud of me and say, “That’s my mom… She plays roller derby!”     I think he already is, Atari!!

Bout Recap: Nightmares on Elm St vs. Granite Skate Troopers, August 27 2011

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The Nightmares on Elm Street Win New Hampshire Roller Derby’s
First Home Team Championship

MANCHESTER, NH – On August 27, 2011, the Nightmares on Elm Street battled the Granite Skate Troopers in New Hampshire Roller Derby’s first ever Home Team Championship at the JFK Coliseum. The Nightmares came away with the win, 149-46, and took home the coveted Kennedy Cup, or K-Cup, championship trophy.

The Kennedy Cup Trophy (a.k.a. The K-Cup).

Sioux A. Cyde was the first to don the star for the Nightmares and scored a quick 5 points in the first jam. The Troopers fought back with Crueliette Lewis throwing 10 points on the board for her team in the second match up. Both teams held their ground and the score stood at 25-15 at the end of the first quarter, with the Nightmares in the lead. The second quarter included impressive offensive and defensive play from both teams, which brought the score to 61-41 at the half.

Hoebo Peep (#B33R) of GST races off the jammer line against NES' Sioux A. Cyde (#SK8). Photo by Jesse O'Brien.

While the Troopers played hard and strong in the second half, the Nightmares held them virtually scoreless through the first 15 jams. The combined efforts of Nightmares’ jammers led to the team scoring a total of 88 points in the second half. The Troopers’ jammer Hoebo Peep added to her team’s total towards the end of the contest, but the Nightmares finished strong and their captains, Arrow Dynamic and Miss Chiff N. Mayhem, claimed the trophy.

High scorer and Captain Crueliette Lewis and MVP Chicka Chicka Bam Bam led the Troopers’ charge. The Nightmares’ high scorer Makeout Bandit and MVP Sioux A. Cyde aided their team in victory.

The 2011 home season has ended but the three NHRD home teams, including the Seabrook Meltdowns, will be training hard in the off-season. They will be back, ready to battle, in 2012.

Bout Recap: Skate Free or Die vs. Legislashers August 27, 2011

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New Hampshire Roller Derby’s Skate Free or Die All-Stars Claim Victory over Granite State Roller Derby’s Legislashers

MANCHESTER, NH – In New Hampshire Roller Derby’s last home bout of the 2011 season, NHRD’s Skate Free or Die All-Stars hosted the Legislashers of Granite State Roller Derby. Both teams put forth a tremendous effort but it was Skate Free or Die that earned the 212-47 victory.

Moxie Moonwalk (#J5) jams in the home season finale.

Skate Free or Die came out of the gate strong, scoring 36 points and keeping the Legislashers scoreless in the first four jams. The Legislashers quickly pushed back and with 15 minutes left in the half, they had scored 17 points against Skate Free or Die’s 58. Skate Free or Die earned lead jammer in 7 out of the 8 jams in the second quarter and held the Legislashers to a total of 6 additional points. In the fifteenth jam of the first half, Skate Free or Die jammer Slick Tracy executed a star pass to pivot Makeout Bandit. Bandit scored a total of nine points during that jam to help bring her team to a 96-23 lead at the half.

The Legislashers took the track in the second half and quickly picked up 3 points in the first jam. But Skate Free or Die answered, using a power jam with two Legislasher blockers in the penalty box to their advantage, bringing the score to 162-32 with 15 minutes to go. The Legislashers refused to yield, adding another 15 points to their score. Skate Free or Die claimed the win, 212-47.

High scorers Catcher in the Thigh and Knockturnal Byter, together with MVP Angie O’Nasty, led the Legislashers in their fight against the NHRD All-Stars. Madame Scurrie scored an impressive 51 points as the high scorer for Skate Free or Die. MVP Slick Tracy contributed a stellar combination of jamming and blocking skills in her last bout with NHRD.

Madame Scurrie (#1911) edges around Rabid Ruby (#K911) of Granite State Roller Derby

NHRD’s Skate Free or Die All-Stars will continue their season in the month of September as they take on the Green Mountain Derby Dames on September 17th in Vermont and the Stepford Sabotage of the Connecticut RollerGirls on September 24th in Woodbridge, Connecticut. The GSRD Legislashers will travel to Vermont on September 10th to battle against the Grade A Fancies of the Green Mountain Derby Dames.

Become a roller girl! We are recruiting for the 2012 season.

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Have you ever wanted to play roller derby? Have you imagined yourself jamming through the pack or delivering a swift hit? Well now is your chance, because we’re recruiting for the 2012 season!

In the derby world, new skaters are called “fresh meat”. Don’t worry if your skating and understanding of the game needs some work — fresh meat go through training to learn all the skills required to play. If you’re interested, please get in touch with us. Details are below.

Boot Camp
NHRD will hold a Boot Camp on September 27th, at 7pm, at Roller Kingdom in Tyngsboro, MA. The event will provide basic skills training and feature a scrimmage between current members of NHRD to promote a better understanding of roller derby and what you will be signing up for!

Please arrive promptly at 7pm with a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, a molded mouth guard, and a copy of your health insurance card. If you do not own skates you can rent them at Roller Kingdom. Discounted starter packages are available at Bruised Boutique in Nashua.

While it is in your best interest to attend the Boot Camp, it will not affect your ability to register for Fresh Meat Training in November.

Open Skates
Members of NHRD will be available at the Sunday night adult open skates at Roller Kingdom in Tyngsboro, MA, during the month of October, to help prospective skaters work on the skills they learned during the Boot Camp in preparation for Fresh Meat Training. Attending open skate nights is a great way to meet current NHRD skaters and ask questions about what it’s like to play roller derby. We’re friendly and we love to talk about derby and our league!

Fresh Meat Training
We will hold Fresh Meat training during November and December to teach everyone the skills they need to be a skater with NHRD. There will be one tryout in January, and those that make it will start the 2012 season as a skater with the league! We’re working out the training dates, so the best way to get them is to contact us and we’ll let you know once they’re confirmed. We will also post them to our website.

Please register for the September 27th Boot Camp or ask any questions you have by emailing PutUNya Grave at freshmeat@nhrollerderby.com.