There is no such thing as free-time when it comes to roller derby. There is not one of us on our league who has more free-time than another. We might perceive that somebody does, but when it really comes down to it, how we spend our time not tending to responsibilities is subjective.
I remember after having children wondering what I did with all of my spare hours. I think I must have read novels, and gone on long walks, or headed out for a bike-ride only to return 3 hours later. But, that all seemed like a distant memory once I had my children. I think it's the same with derby. Eight wheels on your feet has an interesting way of transforming your life. Ask any derby girl and they will say the same thing. It's universal; the derby monster will eat your life. We even have a term for the unfortunate spouses who love us, bruises and all. We call them "Derby Widows". I've taken to calling my teen daughters "Derby Orphans". Those friends I had, pre-skate days, they may even be "The Long Lost Ones", and I may only see them when I have a bout and they come to watch!
I remember after having children wondering what I did with all of my spare hours. I think I must have read novels, and gone on long walks, or headed out for a bike-ride only to return 3 hours later. But, that all seemed like a distant memory once I had my children. I think it's the same with derby. Eight wheels on your feet has an interesting way of transforming your life. Ask any derby girl and they will say the same thing. It's universal; the derby monster will eat your life. We even have a term for the unfortunate spouses who love us, bruises and all. We call them "Derby Widows". I've taken to calling my teen daughters "Derby Orphans". Those friends I had, pre-skate days, they may even be "The Long Lost Ones", and I may only see them when I have a bout and they come to watch!
A really fantastic derby-centric movie was released in 2oo9, and it drummed up a lot of enthusiasm for the sport. It was fun, and exciting, and touched on the camaraderie that exists naturally when women take to a track. In my opinion, it lacked one little detail, and it's a big one. It's something called "Committee Time". There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that has little to do with skate tools, fish nets, and a hip whip. A league is an organization, run by a Board of Directors, and fuelled by the enthusiasm for the sport. It is complex, and demands skill, intelligence, a sense of humour, and the ability to be flexible.
Forgive me for stereotyping, but keep in mind the women who are drawn to this sport. They are strong-minded and willful. They know what they want and just how to get it. So, it can be difficult to navigate all of the roles necessary in running a league. There are social events, community events, fundraising events to the point that the word 'event' just might give you a twitch. Being in the league is a real time commitment. It's worth every minute you spend though. Feel the rush of pushing your jammer through the pack to get 5 points and it all makes sense. Being the jammer and getting through the pack for the 5th time in a bout and all of a sudden the contracts you wrote for the JAMboree fade to a distant memory. Like anything else in life, hard work pays off. So, just a reminder to those that we push to help… your efforts will always be rewarded.
Forgive me for stereotyping, but keep in mind the women who are drawn to this sport. They are strong-minded and willful. They know what they want and just how to get it. So, it can be difficult to navigate all of the roles necessary in running a league. There are social events, community events, fundraising events to the point that the word 'event' just might give you a twitch. Being in the league is a real time commitment. It's worth every minute you spend though. Feel the rush of pushing your jammer through the pack to get 5 points and it all makes sense. Being the jammer and getting through the pack for the 5th time in a bout and all of a sudden the contracts you wrote for the JAMboree fade to a distant memory. Like anything else in life, hard work pays off. So, just a reminder to those that we push to help… your efforts will always be rewarded.
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