A Keweenaw Roller Girls documentary. Produced by Rick Allen of the Keweenaw Report and Houghton Public Broadcasting. Many sincere thanks for this contribution and highlighting what roller derby is all about.
Author: Thimbleberry Slam
KRG Season Closer: Kingsford Krush
THE KEWEENAW ROLLER GIRLS 2017 HOME SEASON CAME TO A CLOSE LAST NIGHT WITH A MATCH AGAINST KINGSFORD KRUSH.
Saturday was hot! Temperatures were in the mid-80’s outside and the interior of the arena quickly warmed to something similar to a hot-yoga class. Unseasonable for certain, but made all the cold beverages that more thirst-quenching. The crowd was thick with seasoned fans and a healthy cheering section of Girl Scouts seated in the stands behind the benches. All were primed to close the season with a high level of excitement.
Keweenaw got off to a strong start with a multi-pass first jam and soon was far ahead in the first half. An unfortunate injury to one of Kingsford’s jammers resulted in a lengthy time out while the skater was assessed trackside. It was certainly a tenuous time for everyone in the arena as we awaited the return to play. We are thankful to report she is home and resting and wish her some swift healing.
With eight skaters remaining on Kingsford’s roster against Keweenaw’s thirteen, Kingsford couldn’t take a defensive hold. Endurance was the name of the game in the second half. Keweenaw has worked diligently the last few months on refining their offensive strategies and it showed with the breeze in which their jammers moved throughout the pack. That’s not to say it was all breezy; several Kingsford blocker’s sent KRG jammers flying on the outside with precision hip clips. In the end however, Kingsford fell to KRG in a score of 58 to 266.
The Upper Peninsula is fortunate to have Kingsford back and rolling after a few year hiatus. Returning with great number, great leadership, and fresh blood, this team is gaining strength. We suspect in a short time they will become quite a contender for Keweenaw and the surrounding leagues.
KRG Recruitment Camp
WE WANT YOU TO PLAY ROLLER DERBY!
The Keweenaw Roller Girls are recruiting skaters and we’d like to invite you to come join us for an intro to derby and skating.
No experience required!
No gear required!
Sunday, September 10th
and
Sunday, September 17th
Noon to 3PM
Calumet Colosseum
We’ll be hosting interested folks who think they’d like to get involved. Try on skates, ask questions, participate in some fun games and learn some skating skills. We’re here for you to explore opportunities in the sport of flat track roller derby.
$10
First Match Up In 2017 with Marquette
This is our posse for the battle against Dead River Derby’s Superior Sirens this Saturday, June 24th. With an ebb and flow within the roster ( as is usually the case in a rural college town ) KRG has been working on communication and a smarter not harder ethos. Defining language and terminology and building 1 on 1 connections on the track, has increased our ability to execute timed offense and more secure defensive strategies. As it is said, the only thing that is constant is change. Rosters can evolve, skater abilities can increase or decrease, but what ties it all together and keeps it whole is speaking the same language. And sometimes, our voices act quicker than our bodies. If we can’t get there, we’ll tell someone else to.
We welcome our rookie skaters, Glam Bam, Afro Disiac, and Amelia HitsHart, to their first away game, and look forward to an awesome match against our roller derby sistahs from the south.
Game Day Recap – KRG vs Shipwreck Alley
Keweenaw Roller Girls Score a Win
The weather was as hot as the derby action on Saturday night at the Calumet Colosseum, as the Keweenaw Roller Girls (KRG) beat worthy opponents, the Shipwreck Alley Rollers (SAR) 366 to 72.
Although Saturday’s bout was the first away match for the newer SAR, who made the trip up from Alpena Michigan on Friday, they played hard and were respectable opponents.
Newer KRG skaters Glam Bam, Amelia HitsHart, and AfroDisiac all had the opportunity to take a turn in the jamming rotation alongside KRG veteran jammers Thimbleberry Slam, Starbuck, Wrath B. Nimble, and Black Ice. From SAR, skaters Skellawhore, Siren Sea Pearls and Punkahotness were stand outs due to their agile skating and smart derby playing. However, newer skater No Fox Given was voted game MVP by KRG for “being a real menace on the track”.
At half-time, viewers were treated to a mesmerizing and interactive belly dance performance courtesy of 47 North Belly Dance troupe from Hancock. Their gyrating hips and artistic maneuvers were truly a sight to behold!
Hosted by Shute’s historical tavern, the bout after party was memorable: tall tales shared, cold drinks consumed, new friends made, and great tunes spun by DJ Dave Brotherton. Mother Nature even treated us to some classic Keweenaw late spring weather drama in the form of heavy rain and wind. Like most weather in Michigan, we waited five minutes and it changed.
Overall, the events of Saturday night at the Colosseum served to bring communities together: both the roller derby community and the tightly knit community that are the folks of the Keweenaw.
Our opponents, Shipwreck Alley Rollers may not have won this one, but they are showing great sisu as they continue on their journey that is sure to mean great things for them in the future. As for KRG, we are proud to know the skaters of SAR, and can’t wait to meet again!
Contributor: I Love Skatin’ #666