Texas Rollergirls Blog

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GOVERNOR’S CUP FLAT TRACK TOURNAMENT
The time is fast approaching for the 2010 Governor’s Cup! Four teams will vie for the bragging rights of the best team in Texas. The teams coming to battle it out in Austin are the Dallas Derby Devils (http://www.derbydevils.com), Houston Roller Derby (http://houstonrollerderby.com), Assassination City Roller Derby (http://www.acderby.com) and your hometown Texecutioners (http://www.texasrollergirls.org/texecutioners)!

When: February 20-21st, 2010
Where: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex http://www.myec.net/

On February 1st a very limited about of tickets will go on sale to the general public. Tickets will be $20 for Saturday or Sunday entry only and $35 for both days.

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2010 SMACK PACKS NOW ON SALE
SEASON STARTS FEBRUARY 28TH!

2010 SEASON DATES: February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22

The Texas Rollergirls will be kicking off their 2010 season on February 28th at Playland Skate Center. All four of our home teams will be competing in a round robin game. Get your tickets NOW online at http://www.texasrollergirls.org/shop. Regular bout tickets will be available at Rio Rita, Cheapo Discs, and Playland Skate Center starting February 1st.

Be sure to get your Smack Pack by January 31st! After the 31st the Smack Pack will no longer include entry to the Governor’s Cup Texas Flat-Track Derby Tournament on February 20-21, 2010 so get it now to get all the Flat Track Action !!!

Here’s what you get:
Entry to all regular season 2010 Texas Rollergirl regular season bouts, including the Championship (an overall savings of $35 compared to 2010 prices at the door!) PLUS….
VIP access into Playland Skate Center (less waiting in line!) | VIP Collectors Badge | Special Smack Pack seating on a first-come first-serve basis | Vintage Texas Rollergirls Poster | Merchandise discounts and other special offers

For more on the upcoming season, including travel games, check out The Score, Austin Chronicle’s Local Sports Blog (http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Sports/Blogs/index.html/objID939241/blogID/)

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HUSTLERS GO TO LONDON!!!!

The Texas Rollergirls’ very own Hustlers will be taking place in a historic event for Flat Track Rollerderby. They will be traveling to London, England to compete against the London Rollergirls!!!! But wait, there is more! In addition to the competition that will take place, our skaters will be conducting multiple boot camps for many of the leagues in that region (rollergirls from Germany, France, and Norway, just to name a few).

The Hustlers will be hosting fancy schmancy Silent Auction this Saturday January 30th to help raise money for this historic trip. Music, food, and refreshments will be provided. All the super fine details are listed below.

What: Silent Auction Fundraiser for March 20, 2010 game in London, England
When: Saturday, January 30, 2010, 8:00pm
Where: 709 Rio Grande, Austin, TX 78701

There are some awesome items up for bid including:

-a full set of Pro-Designed pads
-dinner for 4 at Home Slice
-a well-woman exam and STI testing at Planned Parenthood
-chiropractic x-rays and full alignment
-personal training session
-Personal pole dancing lessons for up to 4 females
-2 costume rentals from Lucy in Disguise
-set (8) of Zodiac Wheels with a full set of bearings
-1-hr massage
-Certificates for dog grooming from Dirty Dog
-Rural Rooster T-shirt
-Cheapo gift certificate w/ T-shirt
-Corona Cafe gift certificate with free brunch at Nomad
-Baby A gift certificate
-YogaGroove merchandise
-pottery from Holcombville Pottery
-lots more really cool stuff

Twenty dollar donation recommended, cocktail attire requested.

Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. RSVP by email to crasher@txrollergirls.com

P.S. Pay in advance and donate here online: http://www.texasrollergirls.org/hustlers. Thanks so much for you donation! Every little bit helps.

admin Newsflash Governor's Cup, Hustlers, Newsflash, Smack Packs

Team: Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, Texecutioners

Skater Since: 2001-2002 (BGGW), 2005-2010 (TXRG)

What drew me to roller derby: When I was a senior in college, I went over to my friend Jaimey’s house and she was lifting little hand weights.  This was something I had never seen her do, so I asked her what was up.  She showed me an ad in The Austin Chronicle for roller derby tryouts at Skate World, up of Anderson Mill Road.  The league, at the time, was called Bad Girl Good Woman Productions (BGGW). Jaimey and I went together and were both placed on the Putas del Fuego.  Shortly after, she quit coming, but I continued to attend practice and became the co-captain of the Putas with April as captain.  I took on the skate name of Pizzazz (Jem and the Holograms reference) and my skate number was 10.

When I’m not skating I’m: Teaching high school.  I have been a teacher for over five years and love it.  When my students find out I play roller derby, I think they are a little afraid.  I don’t keep it a secret from my co-workers or students that I am a Texas Rollergirl, but I also don’t brag about it.  I have had some students and co-workers show up to my games to support me.  I always think it is fun when my two very different worlds collide (no pun intended).  I like to think of roller derby as my secret life.

Favorite music: I like rock, punk rock, indie rock, classic rock, electronic, some classical, psychedelic, some country, and more.  I have worked at a record store and have a decent vinyl collection. 

Don’t tell anyone else but: Sometimes I like cheesy emo music. 

Last meal: Coffee, banana, yogurt.

See more of Sic Shooter at txrollergirls.com.

voodoo Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, Skater Profiles Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, sic shooter, Skater Profile, Texas Rollergirls

Likes: Long walks on the beach and bringing the thunder.

Position:  Blocker

Team:  Hustlers – Go Purple!

Skater Since:  I have been watching roller derby since its rebirth in Austin in 2003.  I started skating in the recreational league (an arm of the Texas Rollergirls) in the spring of 2008.  I was bored with my workout routine and a friend (Acute Angel) saw an ad in the paper.  We went to Jo’s Coffee Shop to check things out.  It sounded interesting, so we thought we’d give it a shot.  We bought the cheapest equipment we could find because we weren’t sure if we’d stick with it.  We skated for the rec league for about 4 months and learned the basic skills.  At that point, we were hooked.  When we were ready for a bigger challenge, we tried out for the competitive league in the fall of 2008.  Now we are both Hustlers and are starting our second season with the Texas Rollergirls.

What drew me to roller derby:  I have been an athlete all my life.  I played Division I collegiate fast pitch softball at the University of Virginia.  After college, I moved to Austin and it has an amazing amateur sports scene.  On and off through the years, I’ve played volleyball, slow pitch and fast pitch softball, ultimate Frisbee, kickball, and soccer.  Roller derby was a new sport where women get to beat the crap out of each other?  I’d never had that opportunity before. Who knew that I would love running into people and knocking them over?  Women rarely get the chance to play that kind of contact sport, so I was intrigued.  I was always the kid who had their birthday party at the roller rink, so I’d always liked skating.  Now bring in the fact that this is a woman owned and run business and I had to see what this was all about. 

Why my competitors should watch out:  Cause I bring the thunder

When I’m not skating I’m:  Playing with my dog Mia, working at Planned Parenthood, hanging out with my man Sam, dancing, watching live music, playing on my coed soccer team. . .

Favorite music:  I love me some 80’s, but I really have quite a varied taste in music.  I listen to just about anything, it just depends on what I’m doing.

Don’t tell anyone else but:  I have a soft spot for Disney movies.

Last meal:  Vietnamese Cabbage Salad with Grilled Chicken.  I love to cook and try to make it as healthy as possible.  We signed up for a bi-weekly vegetable delivery that has really helped keep things fresh. 

voodoo Hustlers, Skater Profiles Hustlers, Jule Regretit, texas rollergirl

Endurance

Ah, endurance, bane of the rollergirl, except the masochists among us. Something we must endure not enjoy. Rollergirls want to play with our teammates and hit bitches, not skate ’round and ’round in circles like a speed skater!

Sure you might think roller derby isn’t about endurance – it’s just two minutes at a time! But look at boxers – they fight for just three minutes at a time with a minute break between rounds and they’re always exhausted by the end of the bout. And Rocky wasn’t just running up those stairs to look at the view!

Endurance refers to the heart’s ability to pump blood and oxygen more effectively so your muscles can do their best. Endurance is built with long periods of activity not short bursts, so focus on pacing yourself at a speed that you can maintain. Build your endurance by pushing yourself to never quit during an endurance drill and to maintain a speed that pushes you. Whenever you feel yourself wanting to quit force yourself to hold on for a set period of time or distance and then reevaluate whether you still need to quit or if you’ve made it over the hump! Ta Da you’re on the path to building your endurance and Period Two will soon belong to you!

Drill of the Month

Fast to Fastest – Form a line with your league with the fastest girl at the back and everyone lining up by speed in front of her – get it? From fast to fastest. Now have each girl lead 1-3 laps. When she is done, she moves to the outside for a new leader to take over and then rejoins the back of the line.  The idea is each girl will gradually increase the speed of the line based on her skill – but she is also keeping in mind that she is expected to rejoin – so she can’t blow it out during her laps or she (and the rest of the league!) won’t make it through all the leaders. Each girl should have a goal to stay on the back for at least 5-10 girls after she goes – depending on the size and skill variance of your league.

Lucille Brawl Training endurance, Training texas rollergirls roller derby drill

Our partnership with Goodsearch.com allows you to support Texas Rollergirls with a simple mouse click! Good Search is a search engine donates 50% of its revenue to the charities designated by its users like you. Want to send some love our way without spending a dime?  Here’s how it works-

Go to Goodsearch.com and fill in your -ahem- “favorite non-profit” in the search window.  

Then, download the toolbar and use it in the same way you would during a regular web search. (GoodSearch.com is powered by Yahoo! so you’ll always get high-quality search results!)

With each new search you’ll be supporting all-women’s flat track roller derby and America. It’s that simple!

voodoo Uncategorized charity, goodsearch, web searches

Position:  Blocker.

Team:  Hotrod Honeys, Texecutioners

Skater Since:  Joined the Texas Rollergirls in Fall 2007 when I moved to Austin. Prior to that, I had done some initial start-up work with the Rollergirls of Central Kentucky beginning in early 2007.

What drew me to roller derby:  My friends were tired of me hitting them all the time. So I decided to get some new friends.

Why my competitors should watch out:  Hotrod Mafia! Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger!

When I’m not skating I’m:  Dancing! Biking! Dancing!

Favorite music:  Can I dance to it? Then yes!

Don’t tell anyone else but:  I like being smarter than you. And I like proving it.

Last meal:  Whatever it is it will probably involve coffee and ice cream.

See more of Dilla at txrollergirls.com

voodoo Hotrod Honeys, Skater Profiles, Teams dilla, Hotrod Honeys, texas rollergirl

Thursday before the regularly scheduled city council meeting, Austin mayor, Lee Leffingwell, was joined by some of your very own Texecutioners to celebrate a winning season and to acknowledge a movement of flat-track roller derby that was born in Austin and has spread across the world. Mayor Leffingwell enthusiastically proclaimed Friday, December 18, 2009 Texas Rollergirls Day! Let’s Celebrate!

PROCLAMATION:

“Be it know that whereas, The Texas Rollergirls Rock-Rollerderby became the first Flat-Track Roller Derby league in 2003, starting a movement that now includes more than 300 (400) leagues worldwide; and whereas, The Texas Rollergirls, Austin born and bred, is 100% skater-owned and managed and is composed of four home teams – the Hell Marys, Hotrod Honeys, Honky Tonk Heartbreakers and the Hustler; and whereas, The Texecutioners, made up of the all-stars from each of the home teams, closed out the 2009 season as Women’s Flat Track Derby Association South Central Regional Champions and placed second at the WFTDA National Tournament; now, Therefore, I, Lee Leffingwell, Mayor of the City of Austin, Texas, do hereby join their enthusiastic fans in congratulating the Rollergirls on their winning season and do hereby proclaim December 18, 2009 as Texas Rollergirls Day in Austin.”

-Thanks Mayor Leffingwell; we love Austin!

Smash Hit Events, Teams, Texecutioners, Uncategorized

Thursday, March 12, 9pm-12am
Carousel Lounge

Join the Texecutioners for a party w/DJ Crackerjack spinning some rockabilly tunes and live music from the Saltworth Sundries. $5.00 door to benefit the Texas Rollergirls travel team.  Woohoo!

Smash Hit Events, Texecutioners Caraousel Lounge, Texecutioners

SKATE! A Night at the Rink

Thursday, March 5 (TONIGHT!), 8pm and
Sunday, March 8, 7pm
Playland Skate Center (8822 McCann – Austin, TX)

Come watch a few of your favorite Rollergirls perform in a celebration of skating in SKATE! A Night at the Rink, presented by Forklift Danceworks. These shows sold out last year so get your tickets soon! Tickets are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/55483.

Smash Hit Events dance, Events, forklift

Austin, Texas,–Austin Texas Rollergirls, Inc. was recently awarded 501(c)3 status from the IRS, making the league a non-profit organization. The league’s primary mission is to foster and promote the sport of women’s flat track roller derby through organized competition and community involvement. “We are really excited about the new opportunities presented by being a non-profit,” said Juliana Gonzales, aka Bloody Mary, Advisory Board Member, Hell Mary and captain of the Texecutioners. “Now we can focus on training to be more competitive at a national and global level rather than worrying about bottom-line profits.”

The league recently expanded its training to include Rec-n-Rollerderby™, a recreational league for women over the age of 18, and the Texas Rollergirls Junior League, for girls ages 8-17. Both leagues offer a fun, safe, and competitive athletic environment to train skaters in flat track roller derby without the commitment or skill level that are required of derby athletes at the national level.

“Flat Track Roller Derby has given us so much – new confidence, improved communications, physical strength and heightened focus. We felt it was important to foster the next generation of Rollergirls. The recreational league and junior league are great ways to remind all of us to have fun while we compete*,” said Yellow Die (Timmie Bui), Junior League Director and Honky Tonk Heartbreaker.

The Texas Rollergirls name is respected on a national level within the flat track derby community. Known as the “godmothers of flat track,” the league helped form the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and hosted the first ever flat track national roller derby championship in September 2007 in which eight flat track roller derby leagues competed for national ranking.

Financial contributions and donations of goods and services to the league help the Texas Rollergirls spread the sport of flat track roller derby at home and across the nation. Donations go toward helping teams travel for interstate games, conducting flat track derby bootcamps, maintaining daily operating expenses, and providing insurance to the skaters.

Smash Hit Business 501(c)3, non-profit, Texas Rollergirls