Let’s catch up with some of our newest skaters and see how they’re getting on…



Tell us a bit about yourself.
Claire: I’m Claire, think I may use Gymburd as my derby name (feel free to discuss) as I’m always at the gym. Currently work as a lab tech at Dundee Uni, way more exciting than it sounds.
Ellin: I’m Ellin, a second year Geography student with a pug obsession, yet to date no pug.
Pat: I’m Pat, skater name Pat McGroin. Designer by day, Bon Viveur by night.
Twiggy: I am a civil servant, which has me in contact with a wide variety of people.
What attracted you to roller derby?
Claire: I had seen the poster for Fresh Meat around the uni and thought it looked fun, but never thought anymore about it until I saw Jules’ (Crown Jewels) face on the poster. Jules was my college lecturer, I mentioned I’d seen her on the poster, she said I would love it, so I went along and I do! It’s the best new thing I’ve done in ages. My dog passed away so starting something new has helped keep my mind off missing my Great Dane, Fastino.
Ellin: Everything about the sport appealed to me!
Pat: A couple of friends of mine were both in DRG, I went along to a couple of bouts and instantly became hooked. It’s great to meet a bunch of like-minded, friendly and slightly ‘out there’ peeps.
Twiggy: My friend Gordon, who has been following DRG since the very beginning (and who can often be found manning the merch stall) invited me along to the co-ed bout back in September. I also already knew Sins ‘n’ Needles through a friend. The bout was really action packed and I wanted some of that action. A brief chat with Sabre Tooth confirmed that men were allowed at the next Fresh Meat so off I went.
How are you finding training up to this point?
Claire: Training is great, learning lots of new skills all the time. I had a decent level of skating ability to begin with, and all the training is making me so much better and more confident.
Ellin: As with anything training has its ups and downs, where some weeks you manage things and others not, but overall seeing my own constant improvement along with the rest of my intake is lovely!
Pat: I was really apprehensive before starting training as I hadn’t been on skates since I was 6 years old. However, the teachers are great, really patient and willing to show you the way things should be done. There are always other experienced skaters on hand to answer any questions or give a guiding hand. Most of them will go out of their way to offer assistance. The aches and pains come and go, but it’s amazing to find yourself skating better and better each week. The newbies are incredible too, a real support network.
Twiggy: Training is going well for me. I’m getting used to the bruises and the odd pains. Just learning my limits at the moment so I can work on getting a past them.
Tell us about your favourite roller derby experience so far.
Claire: The first home game of the season. I was really getting worked up at the game, so good to watch and because I’m understanding it more, that made it all the better.
Ellin: This is my second try at roller derby, so doing the things I couldn’t manage last time is great. This week doing a lateral without falling is definitely up there!
Pat: Hmmm, favourite derby experience so far… This is not very politically correct but training with a herd of scantily clad girls every week sure is nice. But really, NSOing for the first time was probably the highlight so far; great fun! And I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than with a group of smart, fun, hard working, hard playing girls and guys like those at DRG.
Twiggy: I really enjoy coming along to NSO at scrims. It has greatly helped with my understanding of the game, and is always a great laugh. I would urge people to come along and experience it.