Skater Spotlight: Vanna Fight

Skater Spotlight Vanna Fight, photo courtesy of Grant Palmer Photography

LADD: What is the name of the Baby Doll Brawl Team you are coaching?

VF: Greece'd Lightning, it's a play on the Goddesses theme. The Pink team are Gladiator-themed.

LADD: Do you have many veterans on the team to mentor the younger skaters?

VF: We have 2 Subpool skaters and a few seasoned meat who have been instrumental in helping bring the team together by sharing their skills and experiences.Draft Punk is captain. She has skated in a few BDBs. Octopushy is co-captain, this will be her first BDB. Both girls are great team leaders, hard workers, and talented skaters. I think they provide great inspiration to Greece'd Lightning.

LADD: Has Greece’d Lightning had many opportunities to bond together as a team both on the track and off?

VF: Our team has been focused on spending time on both banked and flat tracks. They are skating at least two nights a week for up to three hours per night. Some girls attend wRECk league (recreational flat track scrimmage) for an additional two hours; skating eight hours a week. We will be having a team dinner before the bout, which is a roller derby tradition. I'm confident they will bond on a new level then.

LADD: What made you decide to take the leap into coaching?

VF: I decided to coach because I spent two years in Fresh Meat, and skated in quite a few Baby Doll Brawls. Each one was a great experience, and I learned so much from the coaches. I also think it's important to build relationships with my league mates, across all levels. Fresh Meat are our new recruits and will go on to leadership positions, Subpool, and teams. As that happens, the relationships we build now will lead to knowledge transfer and stronger partnerships.

LADD: How many Baby Doll Brawls have you been a part of?  Have you spoken to former BDB coaches for guidance?

VF: I've skated in 5 or 6 BDB’s. This is my first time coaching. It's also GOzer the Destructor's first time coaching. We have reached out to our teammates, the Tough Cookies, for advice and have brought in some guest coaches to help train the girls of Greece'd Lightning.

LADD: Who are some of your derby mentors and what did they teach you?

VF: I learned a lot from so many people. Part of going through all stages of the training programs offered by LADD is getting to work with an array of trainers. At this point, I'm hard-pressed to think of a skater I haven't worked with and learned from. But Amber Alert, Jackie Nimble, STEFCON, Tara Armov and Suzy Snakeyes will always have a special place in my heart. I trained with Amber Alert in DPV and Fesh Meat and always admired her skating style and ability to contain an opponent. I mastered my snow plow stops with her. Tara Armov is legendary, and her coaching voice continues to echo in my mind when I'm struggling with a particular skill. And I continue to learn from Jackie Nimble,  STEFCON, Suzy Snakeyes and all of the Tough Cookies.

LADD: Could you see yourself becoming a full-time coach later on?

VF: I have enjoyed coaching, and it's unbelievably rewarding to see my team execute a lesson plan or skill, but I don’t think I can manage coaching in a long-term capacity. I serve as a Fresh Meat Momma; a mentor of sorts to new skaters and am heavily involved with other committees.

LADD: What do you like most about this experience (the Baby Doll Brawl)?

VF: Seeing the day-to-day improvements our skaters are making. I see improvements with the girls of Greece'd Lightning as well as with the opposing team. I think this BDB is going to be very close, and  I'm excited for the outcome.

LADD: What is the story behind your derby number?

VF: My skater number is 9:23. It's a reference to the 1986 fantasy gem Labyrinth, starring David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah. Sarah wishes the Goblin King take her toddler brother, Toby away to the Goblin underworld. But she regrets her decision and wants to get him back. She needs to find her way through the Labyrinth. After attempting to cheat, Jareth reduces her time to 9 hours and 23 minutes before Toby becomes one of his goblin minions.

LADD: Tell us a secret about yourself that few people know.

VF: A secret about me...I whispered it. Did you hear me?

LADD: Share with us a story of this BDB team, something that speaks to the unique chemistry between everyone.

VF: When we scrimmage, I don't make line ups. I let the girls determine what they want to do: jam, block, or pivot. They do their best at the job they choose because they want to make their teammates proud. It really works for them, and they have fun doing it.

LADD: What advice would you give to someone considering trying out for Fresh Meat?

VF: If anyone is thinking about it, I think they should make the leap. Roller Derby is a lot of fun, it's a great challenge and you get to meet a bunch of great people who can become some of your best friends. If you aren't sure you are ready for Fresh Meat, our Derby Por Vida (DPV) program is a great place to start. I started in DPV and still meet up for brunch with the girls I used to skate with.

LADD: How are things going with your home team, the Tough Cookies?

VF: The Tough Cookies are working hard to bring our team together. We have seven new recruits,  myself included. We are learning each others strengths, bonding and always looking forward. Our coaches, Suzy Snakeyes and Sniperella have been phenomenal and I've taken a few pages from their book when coaching Greece'd Lightning.

LADD: What other groups or committees are you a part of within the league?

VF: I'm a Fresh Meat Momma, Co-Head of Public Relations, and Head of Newsletter.