We're GROWING!

Another successful PVRD Fresh Meat night

11/04/2009

The home bout season over, now is the time when Pioneer Valley Roller Derby makes an extra effort to get the word out that our doors are open and we want to help you have as much fun playing roller derby as we do!

Wednesday night's "fresh meat" night was yet another success with over 25 new people coming out to learn what it takes and how great it feels to play roller derby here in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.

Men and women arriving for the first time received orientation from founders Bazooka Joe and Pink Panzer, recruiting chair Beast Infection, and head referee Anne Persand. After that they took to their skates and were given group and individual instruction by our coaching team.

Last month's fresh meat continued to work on their skills while orientation was taking place. Our seasoned veterans and other skaters cleared for contact also worked on individual and group skills and drills.

A Photo Essay of Fresh Meat Night

Here at Pioneer Valley Roller Derby we have years of experience indoctrinating new skaters into roller derby. We accept everyone regardless of experience in roller skating and teach how to skate and play derby.

Take a look at what happens on Fresh Meat night from our November 4 recruiting event at Interskate 91 in Hadley at the Hampshire Mall.

Everyone arrives, dons gear, and stretches after skating a few warm up laps.

After donning safety gear and skating some warm-up laps, everyone stretches together in a group. Coaches and Captains cover announcements and answer questions.

$PVRD\'s founders, Jake and Sarah, begin orientation.$

PVRD's founders, Sarah (Pink Panzer) and Jake (Bazooka Joe), begin orientation. Recruits learn about the requirements and opportunities of being a part of our league. Our Head Ref, Anne Persand, covers how "being a part" can also mean training to be an official or referee.

With handouts in hand, recruits listen during orientation.

With handouts covering many of the Frequently Asked Questions about roller derby and being a part of the first co-ed flat track roller derby league, recruits listen at orientation.

In the mean time, training for current skaters goes on

In the meantime, other members of the coaching team lead training. Here Beast Infection takes a group of last month's skater recruits and prepares them to pass their Level One skills test with backward skating and turning.

Blocking drills

Advanced and Intermediate skaters work together in group drills for hitting and booty blocking.

Getting up for the first time

Orientation over, the new recruits learn how to stand up on quad skates. Some skaters come with prior skating experience, but here at PVRD we make sure to not miss any of the special skills required for roller derby.

It begins with group instruction

Pink Panzer leads group instruction for basic stops beginning with the toe stop.

The recruits break into small groups and try out or show off their new skills.

The recruits break into smaller groups and try out (or show off) their new skills.

$There\'s plenty of experience on hand for individual skating instruction.$

There is plenty of experienced help on hand for individual help and instruction. Vanecessary Force takes a moment to help a new recruit.

Practice continues with review and more instruction

Vanecessary Force and Pink Panzer review technique and provide more instruction to a small group of new derby recruits.

Cool down laps

Practice draws to an end and everyone skates cool down laps together before final stretches and packing up.

It's a lot of fun! Hope we'll see you at a future Pioneer Valley Roller Derby Fresh Meat night.

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