Orange Duct Tape Tribute

On Saturday the 17th, we traveled to visit the Five 40 Roller Girls and played a fun game.  There was lots of great things happening on and off the track, but there was one thing in the back of all of Rocktown's minds.

 

See all those orange banded knee pads? Yeah, it's kinda hard to miss, but this was our Orange Duct Tape Tribute.  A tribute to duct tape?! No, sure it's awesome and every derby girl's best friend, but that is not why we rocked this.  This is how our beloved Coach, Afro Die T, rocks her gear, with bright neon Rocktown colors.  "I can always find myself on footage that way" she has said, so when we had to go play without her we made sure she showed up in pictures everywhere.

That blur could easily be Afro's fighting spirit there with us! =)

Or an intimidating wall of orange holding them all back, just as Coach Afro taught us.

Just days prior to this bout our beloved Coach got hurt at practice.  The whole world of Rocktown stopped as we waited to see what was going on.  It's hard seeing someone so strong and amazing get hurt, and losing a team mate for an unknown period of time to injury leaves a hole. 
And much like many other things you don't realize how much you depend on that one person until they aren't there.  There was no "Afro Tie Die" announced during introductions, there was no Mama Bear on the side keeping our minds in the game with pep talks, not to mention that there was no one keeping the antacid companies in business that day.  Every one stepped in to do their parts, and filled as many of Afro's shoes as possible and for her we brought home a win. 

 

Afro, this one's for you, get your butt back to us soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 



End of Season Thankfulness

What a year we have had and how quickly it has gone by!  Our last home bout is this Saturday and this brings about lots of mixed emotions within people.  This has been a tough and trying year for the ladies and gents of Rocktown, we have had new friends join us and old friends roll away.  We have had heart-breaking losses, joyful wins and even a nail biting win by one point in overtime!  Through all of the trials and tribulations of Rocktown over the past year we have grown into a tight knit family and have many things to be thankful for.

We are thankful for our friends and families that support us through all of this.  They get left home alone or with children to care for, feed and put to bed so we can practice.  They get left home again or sit on the sidelines screaming and yelling at our bouts {because really, who knows better than your significant other how you should cream the opposing jammer!}
We are thankful to all of our sponsors and supporters who make it possible for us to do what we do.  You all help pay for our practice spaces, fund our travels, make it possible for us to give a large portion of all proceeds to charities and so many many more things.
And we are thankful for one another.  Without the bond that derby has given us many of us would have never known one another.  Instead we have found a common interest and made new extended family.  We rejoice in the happy times of one another, lend a shoulder to cry on in the tough and work through it all together.

So as this season draws to a close come help us celebrate YOU the fan, all that this year has had to offer, pick up some new RTR swag, and let's take this season out in Rocktown style! 

2011 in Review

-The Season-
RTR scheduled a challenging bouting season in preparation for becoming an official league of the WFTDA.  
We fought hard, learned a lot, and made a lot of great friends throughout the region during our 11 games.
In July, we were rewarded with official membership into the WFTDA.
Be on the look out for our 2012 season - to be released soon!


-The League-
Although RTR said goodbye to some wonderful players due to new careers and life events, we also picked up some wonderful new ones. 
New Skaters:  Rosie the Retaliator, Revenga d'Nerd, Smashley Wheel'ams, and Cheetah Chrome.  
Fresh Meat:  there are just too many to list!!!  But be on the look out, because they are learning fast and you will definitely see some new faces in 2012!
Officials:  our officiating crew is one of the best in the area!  Big thanks to our Referees Bishop (now with River City Rollergirls), Rocktimus Prime, Canadian Breakin', Art Vandalay, Starecrow, and our officials Sanity Claws and VanGO Berzerk.
EMTs: we love our EMTS Bobby and Christina from Staunton/Augusta Rescue Squad!


Want to join us as a skater?  Referree?  Non-skating official or volunteer?
Our next "Try it Out" Open House is Sunday, 1/15 6:30pm-8:30 pm at Funky's Skate Center in Harrisonburg.


-The Service-
RTR had a great time volunteering this year!  Highlights include:  cleaning Blacks Run River, Meals on Wheels, United Way's Stuff the Bus and helping at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Of course we are also grateful for the opportunity we had to raise money for the following charities:  Gus Bus Reading Road Show, Mercy House, Meals on Wheels, Wounded Warriors Project, Cat's Cradle, Shenandoah Spay/Neuter Clinic, Stuff the Bus and the Staunton/Augusta Rescue Squad.


-The Support-
We are incredibly grateful for the local businesses who offered their financial support to help us fund our practice space and travel expenses this year!


Lastly, but certainly not least, we had an amazing group of photographers who helped capture the moments of our bouts this year.  We can't thank you enough for donating your time and talent to our league!