L.A. DERBY DOLLS TAKE ON BIG SUNDAY: ROLLER DERBY SKATERS LEAD SKATE CLINIC FOR CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT

L.A. Derby Dolls Teach Children of the Night Roller Skating, Empowerment, During City-Wide Day of Volunteerism

Photo by May Q. Holla

On Sunday May 2nd, the L.A. Derby Dolls, Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, will lead a skating clinic for the Children of the Night as part of the Big Sunday, the annual volunteer weekend that takes place across Southern California. 

Children of the Night is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and empowering children who have been forced into prostitution.  This is the second year that they have worked with L.A. Derby Dolls on Big Sunday.  To learn more about Children of the Night, please visit http://www.childrenofthenight.org/.

After skating, community service is the most important thing that the L.A. Derby Dolls do.  The Dolls have worked with the Human Rights Campaign, St. Vincent Medical Center (for a women’s health and wellness clinic), After School All Stars, and M.E.N.D, among many other projects, and were honored in 2009 as a Treasure of Los Angeles by the Central City Association (an honor that puts the Dolls in the company of the L.A. Dodgers and Magic Johnson). 

Big Sunday is an annual weekend that takes place in the spring when thousands of people from Southern California, of all ages and all backgrounds, work together at hundreds of nonprofits, schools and other agencies that need their help.   Big Sunday Weekend is one of the largest regional community service events in America.  To learn more about Big Sunday and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.bigsunday.org.

Interview with Varsity Brawlers’ Long Island Lolita- Tickets on sale now for Tough Cookies vs. Varsity Brawlers April 17!

Photo by Charlie Shutterthug Chu

Long Island Lolita is the captain of the Varsity Brawlers and an All-Star blocker and jammer.  We talked to Lolita about the changes VB has gone through since the team’s first season, the challenges ahead, and why the Cookies should watch their backs this year. 

You can see Lolita and the Varsity Brawlers take on the Tough Cookies on Saturday April 17- tickets are on sale NOW here.     

Q:  This is only the Varsity Brawlers’ second season. How have you grown as a team over the last year?

LIL:  We have grown tremendously!!  When we first started, the majority of us were new and only had one or two games under our belts, but now we know what it takes to skate as a team and to win as a team.  We have stepped up our training, and everyone works really hard and gives 100%.  We had a little taste of victory last season and it felt so good… WE WANT AND NEED MORE!!

Q: 
The last time VB played the Tough Cookies  (October 2009), the Cookies won by 35 points.  How will this game be different?

LIL:  The Varsity Brawlers are a very different team.  We have broken down the game and studied the Cookies very carefully.  We are going into this game with strategy knowing what we have to do to get the job done.  Each girl on my team has found their strengths and as a whole we have become more confident. 

Q: 
What are the biggest challenges that the Varsity Brawlers will face in 2010?

LIL:  This may be our second season but we are still the “new team.”  We have to constantly prove to the league and to the fans that VB is here and we are not going anywhere.  We want this just as bad as any other team does and will do whatever it takes to be the best.

Q: 
What will take for the Varsity Brawlers to win their first Championships in 2010?

LIL:  If I gave away our secrets, then every team would be in the running for CHAMPS!  In all seriousness, if the girls keep up all the hard work and continue to learn, grow as a team, and build on their own strengths, then we’ve got it.   

Q:  Which Cookie are you looking forward to hitting hardest?

LIL:  Are you kidding?  ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

Q:  Why should fans root for VB on April 17?

LIL:  In today’s world, people need a change!  They need something new to believe in… we are the new girls in town.  We have the spunk, the drive… I believe it’s called the “IT FACTOR”.   Plus, green is so last Spring.

Q:  Describe the 2010 Varsity Brawlers in 5 words or less.

LIL:  BAD ASS!!

Interview with Tough Cookies’ Gori Spelling- Tix on sale now for Tough Cookies vs. Varsity Brawlers April 17!

Photo by Charlie Shutterthug Chu

Gori Spelling is the co-captain of the Tough Cookies and an All-Star blocker and jammer.  We talked to Gori about the Cookies’ venerable history, the challenges ahead, and why the Cookies aren’t giving up their status as Champs any time soon. 

You can see Gori and the Tough Cookies take on the Varsity Brawlers on Saturday April 17- tickets are on sale NOW here.     

Q:  The Cookies are LA Derby Dolls’ first repeat champions.  How do you plan to continue your dominance in 2010? 

GS:  I think that never underestimating our opponents and tailoring our practices towards what we think will help us defeat each specific team is key. 

Q:  The last time VB played the Tough Cookies  (October 2009), the Cookies won by 35 points.  Do you think that this game will be any different?

GS:  Both teams have a 1-0 record, so neither want to leave the track on the 17th as the team who got defeated.  Of course we would hope for a large point spread like the last time we played, but VB has improved so much since then that we are anticipating a close game.

Q:  You’ve been a Tough Cookie since 2007.  How has the team changed over the last few years? 

GS:  The spirit of the team is the same today as it was in 2007 when I became a Cookie.  We're the fun team and I think that having a good time while playing this game is key.  Iron Maiven has been the captain since 2006, which gives us consistency, and we're lucky to have such a great leader who motivates us to be our best!

Q:  What are the biggest challenges that the Tough Cookies will face in 2010?

GS:  It's a lot of pressure to be defending Champs; every other team wants to take us down.  We just need to stay one step ahead and keep learning.  

Q:  Which Brawler are you looking forward to hitting hardest? 

GS:  Not anyone in particular!  Just whoever is in my way or my jammers’ way!

Q:  Why should fans root for the Cookies on April 17? 

GS:  Why not!?  Have you met us?  The Tough Cookies LOVE our fans! 

Q:  Describe the 2010 Tough Cookies in 5 words or less.

GS:  2010 DO FOR IT AGAIN!