It’s only a few weeks until our bootcamp, and we wanted to introduce you to our bootcamp coaches!
Devil’s Advoskate
Hi I'm Devil's Advoskate, I've been skating with GRD since 2011 and began league coaching in 2012. During that time. I've been captain of the A and B team, and head of training. I have been on the A team since 2012 and also skated for team Scotland at the 2018 World Cup. My favourite position is pivot which has given me good insight to blocker and jammer roles.
The highlight of my time with GRD was the year leading up to and including us competing in the WFTDA division 1 playoffs in 2015. We trained hard as a team, learning from every game and scrim, it really highlighted what can be achieved with a solid training regime (and a hell of a lot of determination!). I love coaching, seeing people progress as individuals and as a team is a real joy for me.
Bootcamps are a great way to gather new skills and fine tune ones you already know. It's fab to see the progression between the start of the day and the end. Can't wait to meet you all, May the 4th be with you.
Cara
My favourite position is defensive blocker – although the last few seasons I have been working on my offence.
One of my derby highlights was when we played at ECDX. This was the first major tournament I played, and it was a great atmosphere. We also got to see some top-class derby that weekend. Since then, I have played in a lot of other great tournaments – too many to mention – but a special shout out to Chaos on the Clyde, GRD’s annual tournament. The 2019 edition was a nail biter that came down to the last jam.
Bootcamps are a great chance to learn some new skills. A lot of material is covered in a short space of time so there is always something for everyone. As a coach, bootcamps are great for learning new drills to take back to GRD.
My favourite thing about derby is there is no other sport quite like it! It is a great, fast-paced team sport with a tonne of strategy. I love being able to develop tactics and outsmart our opponents.
PanicBurn
PanicBurn
I’ve been playing for 8 years and my favourite position is jammer.
Passing my minimum skills still stands out as a highlight for me even after all these years! It was a hard graft but my team were so supportive and celebratory when I finally did it. Eastbourne Extreme is an absolute highlight every single year as well and I recommend everybody goes along to get the chance to play outside near the beach!
I like that bootcamps give you the chance to learn from new people. Sometimes your coaches can try their best to help you, but it takes someone completely different to rephrase it or focus on something slightly different and then the new thing suddenly clicks.
My favourite thing about derby is the sense of community! I have met people from across the world playing derby and i've always been made to feel welcomed. There are people across the UK who support me from afar and I support them too. We might not be on the same teams anymore but we're still there for each other. Finding a home at GRD has been really special, I really feel like I have a support network here outside of the rest of my life and it's really important to me to continue spreading that support and warmth within the derby community.
Snax
Snax
I’ve been playing for 6 years and my favourite position is jammer.
My derby highlight is still the Hamburg tournament which was the first proper tournament I played - it made me feel strong. I started on a low rotation and by the end of it I was 1 in 2 and came out of the weekend with no penalties too!
I love the compact and intense atmosphere of learning at bootcamps. You learn so much in such a short space of time. I also like the camaraderie of the experience and getting to meet people from different places who are at the same level as you.
My favourite thing about derby is that derby is for everyone, every body, every background. Everyone has a strength that contributes to the team and has a role on and off track.