Can you believe it’s already been a week since we hosted an epic 5 nations roller derby triple header?!
We were delighted to welcome Munster and Stoke City Rollers to our home turf at Newforge. The energy in the hall was palpable (even from the get go at 8am!) and it was a delight to be involved in the day as a volunteer, so lets recap the terrific triple header!
I got a behind the scenes peek at the amount of work and effort that goes into a roller derby game, and let me just say; the teamwork, the planning, the setting up, (all before any skates have hit the track) is some job. Throughout the day spirits were high, because team work really does make the dream work! Welcoming skaters and fans from Stoke, Munster and of course Belfast, showed the strong sense of community within the roller derby world, it was lovely to see that even though the teams were competing against each other, the love of roller derby was clearly a bond everyone shared and cared for!
First up we had the mighty Munster take on super Stoke City Rollers! Unfortunately for both teams myself and Shutter had to fill in on commentary duties (Mauler your job is 100% safe) but thankfully that didn’t put anyone off, even with my terrible jokes, such as - what does a skater like on their toast? JAM! (ha…ha) and Stoke took the win with 146 points to Munsters respectable 105.
Belfast took to the track next to battle it out against Munster. How teams play one game after another is unbelievable to me. As a 2nd time intaker skater every single skater is truly such an athlete and I spent most of Sunday in awe of everyone. The atmosphere in the hall kicked up a notch with our beautiful Belfast hitting the track, and with our Mauler back on the mic the day was filled with a delightful combo of high energy and lovely vibes. Belfast took the win with a score of 241 to mighty Munsters 126.
I was on track maintenance duty for this game, and being up close to the action was pure class. Even though players were being pushed to the floor, battles between jammers and blockers were mighty, everyone managed to keep a smile on their face. That’s what I loved seeing the most, the strength, the team work, the sheer determination from all players was absolutely amazing. I know I sound like such a fan girl right now … if the skate fits I guess!
Throughout the day everyone played their part (big up the volunteers, NSO’s, Newforge staff, spectators, all the teams … this has become an Oscars speech but gratitude is the attitude!) another takeaway from the day, it takes a village people, and what a village we have in the roller derby world!
Now, the final game … I need to tell you I have never in my life screamed for a sports team, but I ended the day with no voice left and my nerves were away. Belfast vs Stoke City Rollers, truly one for the books. The jams were filled with brilliant blocking, fast feet from the jammers and ended with a draw! What happens now? A death jam!* I’ve never seen this before in a match, and although I’m new to the sport I hear these are quite rare! Everyone was on the edge of their seats, feet stamping in the bleachers, the energy from the crows was electrifying! The jammers fought hard to get their points, with the blockers giving it their all. You could see the determination from both teams, fighting out for the win. How did the jam end? WITH A DRAW! Again?! The crowd couldn't believe it, we were all past ourselves at this point to be honest. I’m sure all skaters were exhausted, but it didn't show for they geared up for yet another sudden death jam! 2 sudden death jams?! Unbelieveable, it was a real battle to the bitter end from both teams. The crowd was going crazy, it was so fun to be sitting in the bleachers amongst it all! Ultimately, a well deserved win for Stoke, with 170 points for them, though may I say only 10 points in it with Belfast scoring 160!
All in all, a day of community, hard work, pure athleticism and plenty of craic, only increased my love for roller derby and sitting with my fellow intakers, I know we left that day hearts filled with joy and minds filled with dreams that we can be as epic as the skaters we witnessed that day. Big love and respect to everyone involved!
Vanessa 🌟
*editor’s note: this is called an Overtime Jam - the rules being: there is no ‘initial pass’ for jammers, there is no ‘lead jammer’ and no call-off, it runs for the full two minutes and jammers can start scoring points from the first whistle.
Photos by Stevie Shannon.
