#broller derby

Name: Riceball Number: 403 Position: Jammer, Pivot Age: 48

"You don't need proof when you've got instinct." Riceball is an elite jamming assassin who can dodge even before his opponent decides to try for a hit. His precognitive abilities are surpassed only by his ferocious speed.

How did you get involved with roller derby?

My son, BradAss, got involved with Derby in Lethbridge and subsequently got involved with the Dogs in Calgary. He said I should go out for a practice and check the sport out.

How long have you been playing?

About a year and a half. 

What do you love about the sport?

It is yet another sport I can play that has the side benefit of exercise 

All the new friends I have met

The derby community—you can lay out a guy one moment then go out for beers afterwards and both enjoy the moment

It is full contact

There is a wide variety of people playing the sport

Co-ed is available and embraced

From the derby social aspect, you can be as involved or not involved as you want

Did you have any athletic experience before roller derby?

Yes. I mountain bike (downhill, x-country, road), snowboard (soft-boot and hard-boot), recreational roller skate (Roller Land, Hollywood Roller Gardens, Lloyds), longboard (skateboarding), and play men's over 45 soccer (indoor/outdoor) and ball hockey.

What do you do for a living?

I am a Database Technical Specialist. I am a partner with First4 Database Partners Inc., and own and operate my own consulting company Complete DBA Inc.   Tell us a little bit about your derby name.

Riceball was a nickname I was given by my friends way back in junior high school. They somehow derived it from my last name—Recsky.

What’s it like to be a Glenmore Reservoir Dog?

There is a sense of pride every time I put on a Dogs jersey. I know the work ethic of my teammates and the fact that they have my back on the track. Everyone plays hard but at the same time remembers to have fun.

Do you have a derby hero?

My son—when I grow up I want to jam like him.

What are your strengths as a player?

I have been skating since I was about 8 years old so have amassed good core skating skills.  I also like to think I have good evasive maneuvers due to all my years skating at the rinks.

What skills are you working on right now?

Hitting.  I really suck at that right now.

How do you like to prepare for a bout?

Before the bout, I like to get out as much as I can on skates and get my heart rate going with sprints and jam skating.

If you had to describe your style of play using one song, which song would it be?

Cool and the Gang - Jungle Boogie! Because of my height I always seem to be getting down low to avoid getting my head taken off.

What advice would you give to someone considering roller derby?

Try recreational roller skating first and see if you like that. There are programs and people willing to help you learn how to skate. Once you have some basics down, fresh meat is right around the corner!

These guys are just in it for the women in fishnets.

Men's roller derby requires a commitment to learning and playing a high intensity sport. Yes, some guys join because they have been involved with women's roller derby as referees, coaches, fans, or significant others, or because they are attracted to derby culture, but not all have a prior connection to roller derby. So while some skaters might come for the fishnets, they stay for the enjoyment and challenge of playing a physically demanding sport.

Roller derby just isn't the same without booty shorts and fishnets.

May I introduce you to Bradass, king of jeggings and jammer extraordinaire: 

And there's always co-ed derby.

Wait, would I need to wear jeggings?

Nope! Wear what you want. Most male skaters prefer athletic shorts. But if you feel like putting on leggings or hot pants, that's cool too!

You need to have previous athletic experience to play roller derby.

False! Many skaters do have previous athletic experience, often from hockey or inline skating, but others have never played team sports and have never worn a pair of skates before in their lives! Although a background in team sports, skating, or skateboarding will certainly help get you game ready, most teams (including us!) offer training programs that can get you skating confidently. Whatever your skill level, there is a place for you in roller derby.

Roller derby is for the young.

Not at all. Several members of the Dogs are old geezers. Just don't tell them we said so - they hit just as hard as the youngsters. Our league has skaters from as young as 6 to over 60! You can get into derby at any age.

Men hit with their shoulders.

Okay, this one's not so mythical! While many men go for the big shoulder check, hip checking and booty blocking are effective tools in the arsenal of all skaters. But there is no question that this is a hard-hitting sport!

Injuries happen. Just ask Dev Null (he was back on the track just a few jams later):

Women don't like men playing roller derby.

Well, this depends on where you are and who you talk to. Women's sports in general are treated as less-than-legitimate, and there's a fear that like in other sports, men's derby will be treated as the "real" sport and women's as the novelty attraction. We agree that this would be unfair and undesirable. But currently things don't seem to be heading in that direction: men's derby is younger, is growing more slowly, and has strong connections to women's leagues. There is lots of support from men's derby for women's derby and vice versa.

Within Chinook City the women and the men get along just fine. Men founded Chinook City Roller Derby and are an integral part of our league. There is mutual respect and camaraderie between the men and the women, which in turn leads to more effective training and more fun for everybody. We feel that derby can be inclusive of all people.

Men choose phallic or sexist derby names.

Roller derby names reflect the diversity of players. Just like women's derby, a name might come from a skater's personality and interests or a clever play on words. And just like in women's derby, some of the names can be offensive, although there is a growing tendency for players with controversial names to pick an alternative that can be used during kid-friendly games. Derby names add colour to the sport. The Glenmore Reservoir Dogs have players with names like Flustercluck, Hugh Effer, Dev Null, Iron Manson, Poppa Chubby, Riceball . . .

Do you want to try roller derby? Come skate with us! Check out chinookcity.ca for more information on where and when we practice and how to join.

The Skate Invaders have landed.........in Teesside? Skate Invaders are a brand spanking new Men's Roller Derby Team in the North East. Founded on May 3rd 2012.

  It seems The Middlesbrough Milk Roller's Milkshake has brought all the boys to the yard! We are now the proud sisters of the 'Teesside Skate Invaders' League who have now had two successful practices. We’re super excited to get some co-ed on the go in the near future. Watch this space. If you wanna skate with the boys then get in touch on the Facebook page