NOVA Roller Derby

Photo cred Mike Bryan

The Skate Troopers had an astounding win in their first home game of the season! Atlantic Coast Roller Derby’s Hurricane Janes traveled all the way from South Jersey to help the Troopers ring in their home season.  The Janes rolled up with some super speedy jammers and pivots, excellent blockers, and all around great attitude.

At halftime, Troopers led with 63 points to the Janes’ 8.  Steve Freeman of Shamrock Music Shoppe was awesome enough to come out and perform for all the skaters and fans!  If you took a walk around during halftime, you would have had the pleasure to run into some of our phenomenal sponsors such as LoCo CrossFit, Alpine Ski Shop, and the National Guard.

Skate Troopers finished off the game with 119 to the Hurricane Janes’ 22.  Pony Picante was nominated by NRD as Jammer MVP for the Hurricane Janes as well as Cuban Miss Crisis as Blocker MVP.  The Janes nominated from the Troopers Calamity Pain for Jammer MVP and C. U. Next Tuesday for Blocker MVP.

The Janes were an incredible team to bout with and learn from! We hope to see you ladies soon!

Photo courtesy of ACRG

Stay tuned to Facebook for more emerging photos from the game!

Do you need a shirt with your name and number on it? Most of us need them to scrimmage and we sometimes need non-uniform shirts in specific colors for bouts, especially mixers. We showed you how to put your name and number on a helmet last year, but that technique won’t work on fabric.

Put down the safety pins and the duct tape, and walk away from the Sharpies and paint pens – with a little planning and about an hour of work, you can get great results without investing in a die cut machine (like Cricut, Cuttlebug, Sizzix, etc.) or learning how to screen print and without handing it off to a t-shirt shop. Let me introduce you to the magic of freezer paper.

What you need:

• Freezer paper. You might be able to find Reynold’s Freezer Paper at your grocery store, but you can also find it in 8 ½ x 11 sheets at fabric stores that have quilting supplies – it’s used for appliquès. You can also make your own or order it online. And it’s re-usable!
• Computer with a graphics program (even MS Word should work) or lettering skills for drawing your name and number free-hand.
• An X-acto knife, straight razor blade, or wee scissors and the ability to wield them well. I have a small swivel X-acto knife (that other thing by the X-acto knife in the picture) that’s very handy for this. 
• Fabric paint or fabric-safe paint–you could probably even use screen print ink if you’re careful. 
• Sponge brush, paint brush, or a sponge to apply the paint. I cut off a small rectangle of a kitchen sponge, dampened it with water, and used that because I forgot to get a sponge-brush.
• A t-shirt or tank top that’s been washed.
• Cardboard or an old magazine or something heat- & fabric paint-resistant to prevent the paint from bleeding onto the front and to help stabilize the shirt. Craft stores sell cardboard specifically for t-shirt decorating; I just used a cereal box (Lucky Charms are magically delicious and very handy to have around) with the print side folded on itself.
• An iron.

What you do with all that stuff:

1. In the graphics program or word processor of your choice, type your name and number. I happen to have PhotoShop, but you could use anything that will allow you to apply a font and change the font size to a ridiculously high number.
2. Select a font, apply it. Keep in mind that you’ll be cutting this out later and the refs & NSOs should be able to read it without too much trouble, so don’t choose anything too ornate or complex. I chose Goudy Old Style and fooled with the settings so it’s white & outlined in gray. If you have letters or numbers with closed counters (fully enclosed holes, like A, a, B, b, 6, 8, etc.) or accents or tittle (the dot over the i and j) choose a font with a heavier weight (thicker lines) so those typographic elements are easily visible at a distance and the stencil is easier to cut out.
3. Make the font size larger. Check with your league to see how big the number should be; NOVA Roller Derby and the teams we play generally expect the number to be at least 4” tall, which is also in the WFTDA rules. Names are optional as far as I know (and are optional as per WFTDA), but I’ve rarely seen skaters with only their numbers on the back of their shirts.
   My number is 473 points and my name is a little more than half that at 240 points. You could also calculate points to inches (1 point = 0.0138 inch) and not measure, but I’m more of a trial-and-error gal.
   
4. In many graphics & wordprocessing apps, you can stretch the font vertically or horizontally or wrap it around a curve. Play with all of that but remember you’ve got to cut it out and it needs to be readable.
5. Print a test sheet to see how it looks in person. Make adjustments if needed.
6. Print the final version. If you have 8 ½ x 11 sheets of freezer paper, you can print directly on that, making sure that the ink goes on the plain/matte side of the paper and not the plastic/shiny side. You can also just use the final “test” paper, taping it over your freezer paper to keep it from moving while you cut.
7. Cut out the lettering with your X-acto knife or other sharp edge. I have a self-healing mat to cut on so I don’t carve my name and number into the dining room table, but I’ve also used a cutting board, a layer of thick cardboard, and magazines as cutting surfaces.
   If you have letters or numbers with closed counters (the holes!), cut them out carefully and save them.
8. Slip the cardboard into your shirt, heat the iron up, turn the steam off, and position the stencil on your shirt. Iron it in place. If you’ve got counters (holes!) or dots, place & iron those on next. I’m re-using the stencil I used last time – I hope this works!
   
   
9. Open your fabric paint, dip your brush in it a little bit, and lightly dab it onto the stencil. You can pour some of the paint onto a paper plate and use that as a palette; I also used it to mix my own color (red+blue=grape purple). You don’t want to get a lot of paint on the brush and blob it on the stencil & shirt all at once – the fabric will pucker and grow and you really don’t need that much paint. The idea is to layer the paint on, patting it over the same area several times until it’s even.
   
10. Wait and remove the stencil after the paint has dried or if you’re brave, curious, or impatient, carefully and slowly peel the stencil off. Remember that it’s a little damp and any delicate spots will be more likely to tear, which will mean cutting a new stencil instead of re-using this one. But look: reusing the stencil worked! It came out pretty well!
    
    
11. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to set the paint permanently. Both of the paints I have on hand have to dry/cure for 24 hours and then they need to be ironed at the highest possible setting on both sides.

Ta-da! Fancy shirt is fancy, costs less than most other options, and now you’re set up to stencil many more t-shirts: you have enough supplies for a lot of shirts now!  

This Saturday, NOVA Roller Derby’s Skate Troopers will be taking on the Atlantic Coast Roller Girls‘ Hurricane Janes in their first home bout of the season!  ACRG will be traveling from the far off shores of South Jersey just to play some of our finest athletes.

Remember, we’re supporting Women Giving Back this month, so if you have some items you would like to donate them bring them on down!

For our half-time show, we will have an awesome performance from Steve Freeman of Shamrock Music Shoppe!

But the fun doesn’t end there! After the bout, everyone will be heading over to Mahalo Cove for the after party where Gonzo’s Nose will be performing!

So come on out for the best roller derby around! All ages encouraged!

Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/332386

This month, NOVA Roller Derby is helping out local charity Women Giving Back.  ”Women Giving Back is a HomeAid program that provides free clothing to women and children in Northern Virginia homeless shelters. Many women in the shelters are employed or attending school and need professional clothing and accessories to improve their lives and the lives of their families.” If you’d like to take part in support, you can contact any NOVA Rollergirl (or guy!) of your choice or you could volunteer your own time!

WGB accepts “like new” women’s  and children’s clothing and shoes. They are looking for suits, separates, business attire, shoes, jewelry, coats, unopened make up & toiletries, purses & business accessories, and children’s toys. They do not accept t-hirts, worn out clothing, stained clothing, missing buttons, dirty clothing.

If you would like to donate clothing or volunteer, please contact the Women Giving Back Task Force at womengivingback@gmail.com or contact Marjie at 703-554-9386.

Open the second Saturday of each month
9:00am – 12:00pm
20 Export Drive
Sterling, VA

NOVA Roller Derby is hosting a karaoke contest fundraiser April 20th, 2013 at Patriot’s Cafe in Fairfax, VA from 9pm-12am.

But wait! This isn’t your average karaoke contest! Not only do you have to have a rad voice, but you’re subjected to a series of hilarious distractions! Can you hold it together and show up all the other contestants? Come out with us and see! If you don’t you’re not up for singing – there’s always a chance to win the raffles!

There is no cover charge but a donation is always helpful for league funds.

Courtesy of Mike Bryan

Thank you to all of the fans that came out to our season opener last month! It was so phenomenal to see such great support from our community. An incredibly tough battle was fought between the Beltway Betties and the Backwoods Rollers but the Rollers wound up taking home the win with 111 points to 48. Backwoods Rollers’ MVPs were InFINNite Trouble as the best blocker and Calamity Pain as the best jammer.  Beltway Betties’ best blocker was C. U. Next Tuesday with their best jammer being Shevil Dead.

We had some special guests at our bout – Jimmy Lange came out to support us! Our half-time show was provided by Dance King Studios who led a dance for all of our fans.

For some fabulous photos of the bout, head on over to Trick The Light’s website to see the Rollers and Betties in action!

Stay tuned! Be on the look out for upcoming posts about our Killer Karaoke in Fairfax, donating to Women Giving Back, and our NEXT BOUT!

Hope all of our NOVA fans are ready for some derby action this weekend! Come see the Beltway Betties take on the Backwoods Rollers this Saturday.  Make sure you stick around for half-time to catch some fantastic dancers from Dance King Studios and to get called for some great raffle baskets.  NOVA will also be supporting the Aurora School this month – stop by their table to see how you can get involved too!

You can still buy tickets online or at the door (or from your favorite NOVA Roller Derby skater).

The 2013 season is just around the corner and we at NOVA Roller Derby have been hard at work during our off-season.  We have added a slew of brand new skaters to our home teams and have some new faces on our traveling team as well.  We are looking forward to some special themed bouts and exciting visiting teams to take on our Skate Troopers this season!  Be on the lookout for our upcoming philanthropy and fundraising events!

Steeltown She-Ra is another original skater of NOVA Roller Derby. She-Ra has contributed so much of her time to the betterment of the league.  She is a blocker for
the Backwoods Rollers and was on the Skater Troopers last season, she is also on the training committee and has been elected as the secretary for our 2013 season!

Photo by Rodney Choice/Choice Photography

1. Worst injury/burn/scrape/bruise? Broken ankle. Not because it was really painful, because it took me off skates for a bit and I missed out on a lot.

2. Explain your choice of derby name and number. – I love the city of Pittsburgh, PA and my family is from a small town outside of Da’Burg. She-Ra is known for her incredible strength and I consider myself pretty strong for a small person. The #66 is for one of the greatest hockey players ever – Mario Lemieux. Therefore, Steeltown She-Ra #66 it is!

3. What do you do in your non derby time? Wife, mother, office manager, little league football coach, softball player, student.

4. Gnarliest moment on 8 wheels – Haven’t had it yet.

5. What position do you like playing and why? Any one of them…They all involve speed and hitting someone. It feeds my need for aggressive behavior!

6. Name 3 things you love about yourself: Willing to help others, I’m always open to learn, I never quit!

7. Have you found new things to love about yourself now that you play derby? My leg muscles are bigger and stronger! ~

8. Do you have an inspirational motto? “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight…it’s the size of the fight in the dog!”

9. Best tip for fresh meat? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, Never give up!

10. What goes through your mind as you lace up your skates? Maintaining focus and concentrating on what my objective is based on the position I am playing at that time.

11. What do you love most about roller derby? The ability to meet new people, helping out my community and knocking some people around isn’t so bad either.

12. What is your go-to nosh-out food after practice or a scrimmage?  Chicken or lean meat and maybe a trip to Pinkberry.

Photo credit Hector Prieto

We want to thank all of the volunteers, NSOs, sponsors, and, most of all, our fans for making NOVA Roller Derby’s first season not only possible, but one to remember. We couldn’t have done it without you!

November 10th we closed out an amazing first season with some hard hits and fast skating between the Beltway Betties and the Vineyard Vixens as they faced each other for the third and final time this season. The first few jams were a definite close call, but the Vixens quickly took the lead and didn’t give it up; at the half, the score was 63 to 9. The Betties rallied some in the second half, but by the final whistle, it was Vixens 113 to Betties with 31. 

Congratulations to all our NOVA Roller Derby skaters and especially the Vixens for setting a high bar: the Betties and the Rollers will be coming for you next season!

In other highlights from our final bout, we were very happy to have local celebrity KyleRok gave a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at the start of the bout. We had some technical difficulties with our sound system, but Kyle didn’t miss a beat. We collected new toiletries at the bout for Shelter House, an organization that provides crisis intervention, safe housing, and supportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families and victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County. At the half, US Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts Academy gave an action-packed demonstration of some tae kwon do moves, with board breaking and almost gymnastic routines. They also had a booth with information about their programs and Kick Cancer Out of the World–a series of events they hold every year to raise money for cancer research and patient support. 

Some of our sponsors were on hand as well; Dr. Sonak from Sonak Chiropractic & Life Wellness was available to talk to fans and adjust skaters and family members. Catoctin Creek Distilling Company raffled off some flasks, drinking glasses, and some t-shirts! Alpine Ski Shop and Something Wonderful Bakery both had booths and raffle items, and Rejuvinations Massage Therapy was on-hand with raffle items.

We would love to have your feedback – was there something particularly awesome that you would love to see again or did you see something we could do better at our bouts? Please take a moment to take our end-of-season survey to let us know! It will only take a few minutes and will help us make our 2013 season even better!

Again, thank you for being part of the NOVA Roller Derby family and helping us create such a strong derby community in Northern Virginia.  Hope to see all of our old fans (and new!) during our 2013 season!