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After a pretty lengthy break over Christmas, York Roller Derby team the York Minxters were back on their wheels on Sunday for the first team practice of 2012. After 5 weeks off (and lots of festive food) we were all feeling a little nervous about putting our boots back on, but after a few minutes of bambi feet we soon found our stride again, and began to work on some new and exciting skills.

The final practices of last year saw the Minxters begin their first scrimmages, and the introduction of contact. A scrimmage is a practise game, and how teams find their strengths and weaknesses, developing their skills, endurance, and tactics. As we are such a new league, scrimmages help to put the new skills we learn into play, and really understand how they work, as well as increasing our performance and communication as a team. Scrimmaging gives us a taste of the intensity and excitement of a bout, and drives us to push harder, for when the York Minxters are ready to compete.

After several months together, bonds have formed and we are definitely now thinking and working as a team, which helps when we all start hitting. This was the part I have been most nervous (or if I’m totally honest, SCARED) about, doubting my bad-ass credentials, and pretty certain I’d be on the floor more than I would be dishing out the hard hits. Roller Derby is, of course, a contact sport. But let’s be clear, when I say ‘hitting’, this is not boxing on wheels. There are lots of rules about how you hit, where you hit, and what isn’t within the framework of a legal hit. The idea of a hit is to get your opponent out of the way; moving them where you want them, or essentially being a nuisance and messing with their game by knocking them off balance (or completely off track). And it’s so much FUN! (No, really) I still need to work on hitting harder, my hip checks are seriously polite, but the fear has evaporated and has been replaced by a bizarre drive to inflict (heart-shaped) bruises on my team-mates, which I know they will be only too happy to lovingly return.

We also had to say goodbye to one of our training committee, the amazing Geneva AKA Toxic Pink Stuff, who is leaving the country in a few weeks. Toxic has been a dedicated and passionate trainer for us since our very first practise, motivating us, challenging us, and celebrating the new team. We will all miss her hugely, and even the hideously lengthy planks she makes us do in her hardcore endurance drills.

Several members of the team have now stepped up to support the training committee, and we can’t wait to see what 2012 brings for the league. We are still recruiting, and look forward to meeting the new faces that will continue to make the York Minxters a diverse and energetic team. This includes referees and non-skating officials; aside from derby girls we are also in need of some eagle-eyed boys to join the Minxters both on and off skates to make sure we adhere to the rulebook. We welcome skaters of all abilities – even if you’ve never skated before, we will offer full training in an inclusive environment.

With the Olympics now only a few months away, what better way to get involved in sport for 2012 than by trying out something new and exciting, and supporting a local team. We are already planning some community events and appearances for the year ahead, and are in the early stages of developing our charitable goals and motivations, more of which will be revealed in the coming months. We are also about to decide on the most pressing issue (naturally) of team colours, developing out team identity as well as our individual derby alter-egos. Hopefully by next month, we will be able to reveal the final choice, and maybe even a glimpse of a team shirt…

Practises are held at Energise Sports Centre in Acomb (Cornlands Road, YO24 3DX) on Sunday afternoons from 4-6pm. If you are interested in joining or just finding out a little more about us, visit our facebook page), or contact us via email: yorkrollerderby@hotmail.co.uk

More in-depth information on rules and regulations for roller derby can be found on the WFTDA website.