Meet the GRD team: X-MENTAL

What's your skate name and number?

X-MENTAL #0

How long have you been playing roller derby?

13 ish years…. Oooft my back hurt’s thinking about that 😬

What's your favourite thing about roller derby?

Hitting people, Strategy, learning, coaching, pals… so many things! My favourite thing is that I met my wife at derby … Swoooon

Who is your derby hero, or favourite team?

My fave team ( apart from GRD) is my old team In Kansas. ICT Roller Derby has my heart forever. I’m also quite obsessed with VRDL… those AMAZING Australians are something else! Pure fire!

What’s your best derby moment?

I can’t pick one…. Going on road trips to tournaments, when Gotham finally didn’t win the hydra, VRDL beating Rose and winning champs, 2011 World Cup…Too many!

What do you like to do when you aren’t playing derby?

I watch it? Lol Ehhh… I hang out with my wife and we go on magical adventures.

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

I had a film crew follow me around for 3 days. It was a documentary for Google! Can I also say that I did a belly dance on a table one time, fell off and woke up in hospital 24 hrs later!? I’m also pretty decent in a street fight. None of that is interesting, but I wrote it and that’s that.

Meet the GRD team: Snax

What's your skate name and number?

Snax 222

How long have you been playing roller derby?

Since 2018.

What's your favourite thing about roller derby?

How inclusive it is! every body shape, age, and person are celebrated for their differences and how that makes a great team.

Who is your derby hero, or favourite team?

Mutch Mayhem (loren Mutch) Jammer from Rose City Rollers.

What’s your best derby moment?

When we played a tournament in Hamberg, it was such an amazing experience! Everyone was amazing and I had some personal bests! The team atmosphere was something I never experienced before and I had so much fun.

What do you like to do when you aren't playing derby?

Still roller skate 😂 I also like to eat snacks, dance and go on adventures with my partner and dog.

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

I danced in the Edinburgh Tattoo when I was 18.

Meet the GRD team: Skellytor

What's your skate name and number?

Skellytor 07

How long have you been playing roller derby?

Since 2016, 6 years now

What's your favourite thing about roller derby?

Not to be too cheesy, but, the friends I have made ❤️

Who is your derby hero, or favourite team?

Mutch Mayhem, what a gal!

What’s your best derby moment?

Finally getting to play my first game in 2019 after falling in love with this sport in 2013, when I was just a little 15 year old.

What do you like to do when you aren't playing derby?

Binge watch Greys Anatomy and cuddle my cat.

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

I have a tattoo of my cat, Loki, wearing my roller derby kit 😺

Meet the GRD team: Hardcore

What’s your skate name and number?

Hardcore #12

How long have you been playing roller derby?

7 years (-2 pandemic years)

What's your favourite thing about roller derby?

How empowering it is.

Who is your derby hero, or favourite team?

Miracle Whips (jammer goals!)

What’s your best derby moment?

Playing in Hamburg with the Bruisers. I never thought I'd ever go abroad to play sport! We came 2nd and the city was amazing to explore.

What do you like to do when you aren't playing derby?

I also play American Football and enjoy running to clear my head.

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

I scored a penalty at Old Trafford in front of over 70,000 people when I was 19.

Introducing... Cara Viola & Cardinal Spin

We’re just one week away from the second edition of Chaos on the Clyde, a two day roller derby tournament featuring four UK teams which will be held at Arc Health & Fitness on 17th & 18th August 2019.

Six years have passed since the inaugural Chaos tournament, so in the spirit of bringing things back, here we are resurrecting our blog to introduce you to our A team captains - Cara Viola and Cardinal Spin - with a wee interview.

Cardinal Spin, leaping the Apex like it’s no big deal…

How did you find roller derby?
Cara: When I was living in Toronto one of my friends suggested that we go watch a match. We had no clue what was going on but we were instantly hooked. After watching a few more games in Toronto I started to figure out the game and signed up to joined GRD when I came home.

Spin: I can’t remember how I heard about it originally - I almost started playing back at the start of 2012 but because of crazy life stuff it didn’t happen and it wasn’t ‘til the start of 2016 that I actually started skating.

Who is your derby hero, or favourite team?
C: Obviously my favourite team is GRD. Outside of this Montreal and Gotham are my other favourites.

S: Hmmm… not sure you want to get me started on this. I’m a big fan of Snowy from Dublin Roller Derby/Team Ireland, Curly Håår from Malmo, Wilhelm from Denver… I love to see smaller jammers slicing up the pack and pinging about. I regularly cheer for all the jammers on track rather than picking sides.

Cara Viola, ready to make the jammer sad

Which game of the tournament are you most excited to watch?
C: I think there will be some great match ups no matter who is playing. As I will be playing the GRD games I won't choose any of those…so I will go for Kent vs Liverpool. Both teams are new to WFTDA but are well established teams so it should be a good one.

S: We’ve played quite a lot against our neighbours ARRD [Auld Reekie Roller Derby] so I’m excited to be able to cheer on their side from the audience this time.

Do you have a derby mantra?
C: Adapt or die. Everything changes so quickly in roller derby that you have to react and change with it.

S: I get super nervous before/during games so I mostly try not to think about it too much to keep my adrenaline down a bit. One of my personal mottos is “find the joy”. I play best if I'm feeling upbeat and positive so sometimes I wander about telling teammates that they’re amazing (and occasionally making them say the same back) so we all get the endorphins flowing.

Share your best derby memory moment.
C: At this point I have been playing for 9 years so it is hard to pick a favourite. Generally though I love the moment when I am able to stop a jammer jumping the apex.

S: I just love playing and scrimming. I love the hundreds of moments and challenges and laughs and little victories on track.

Tickets for Chaos on the Clyde 2 are available to buy online here. Day tickets are sold on a sliding scale from £0-10, weekend tickets are £16, and kids and carers go free.