How Roller Derby changed me!

It’s coming up to a year since I discovered roller derby and put my skates on for the first time in a good 15 years. How things have changed.

I entered my first roller derby practice on 7th January 2010 ; I was expecting my new ‘hobby’ to take up 2 hours every week. How wrong was I?

Roller Derby is no longer a hobby and is something I now take very seriously. I train on skates for a minimum of 7 hours per week and also try and attend sessions with other teams as often as possible. The last 6 months have seen me skate with gilrs from Leicester, Lincoln, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Bedford, Dublin, Cambridge and many more!

Roller Derby has given me many things:

• Confidence: Before I discovered derby I was a shy and under confident girl. It has helped me grow into a strong, outgoing and confident woman.
• Fitness and weight loss: Previously I have joined a gym for a few months and then got bored and quit. Roller Derby is something I really enjoy and a side effect of this has been weight loss and fitness. I now eat better and care about what I put in my body.  This year saw me skate a full marathon, somthing I never thought I would do. The new year will also see me joining the gym as I up my game and and take this to the next level.
• Happiness: I am a lot happier in myself. I have suffered from depression for many years and the exercise I am now doing really boosts me. If I have a bad day or I am feeling blue, a good training session will always pick me up and put a smile back on my face.
• Friendship. I have made more friends this year than any other year in my life. I have a derby family. My team mates are always here for me and I have made friends for life. But the friendship doesn’t stop within the team, I have made new friends across the country.

I would recommend Roller Derby to anyone, whether you’re from Nottingham and I am suggesting you join the Hellfire Harlots or if you’re from another city. Roller Derby will change your life.

The Hellfire Harlots start recruiting in January and we would love to meet you. Our first session of the New Year will be held on Tuesday 11th January at Sport Nottingham; it starts at 8pm so please contact us to book your place.

If you are feeling a little apprehensive about coming along to practice we are holding a meet and greet on Saturday 8th January at The Old Angel, Nottingham. It starts at 8pm and you can come and meet the girls (and boys) and ask any questions you have without the added pressure of having to skate.