In the annual changing of the guard, Pioneer Valley Roller Derby members elected a new board of directors on December 12.
The new board members range from skaters who’ve been with PVRD since the beginning to skaters with less than a season under their belts; from a head ref with a flair for pastries to a yarn-loving treasurer; from a critical care nurse captain to a social media manager.
So, just who are the league representatives this year?
Bazooka Joe, Board of Directors Co-Chair
I first started roller skating when we began thinking about founding a roller derby team in the Valley, in late 2005. Since then, I have played in 36 bouts and countless halftime expos. I just began the third row of stars on my uniform jerseys [Dirty Dozen skaters add a star for every bout they're in].
One of my favorite memories is skating an expo game at Providence’s old, outdoor venue. It was the first place I had seen modern roller derby and to be able to play there—even if it was just a halftime gig—was pretty outstanding.
I have played derby in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Indiana and Nevada. In addition, roller derby has brought me to Maine, Illinois, Vermont, Ottawa and probably some more I have forgotten. I have met people from all almost all 50 states and from as far away as Australia.
I am excited for the new members of the Board of Directors and the new ideas they bring to PVRD. 2012 looks to be a year of growth and progress.
Pink Panzer, Board Co-Chair and Women’s Co-Captain
I appreciated the opportunity to steer us through the new frontiers, challenges and victories (small and large, individual and team) that the 2010-2011 season brought. I hope to continue to be a leader, confidant and advocate for all the ladies (and PVRD) next season.
Celia Casket, Women’s Co-Captain
Becoming a roller derby player and a member of PVRD has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have rediscovered my passion for sport, and have had the privilege of meeting a lot of extraordinary people.
Outside my derby life I am a critical care nurse. Having been exposed to a great deal of ethical, emotional, and physical complexity, I have had to become an expert on decision-making and communication. My job requires advanced problem-solving and organization on a continual basis.
As a captain I have a few main goals. Successful team development requires a great deal of face time. As captain, I will help foster a competitive atmosphere in which everyone is actively challenging themselves and each other in a positive way. Every practice should be approached with leaving it all on track.
I also want to promote direct, concrete, respectful communication. I plan on establishing team goals for this season and starting a foundation from which we can build upon.
We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m confident that 2012 will be a season of growth and positive development.
Will Jettison, Dirty Dozen Captain
I started roller derby in January 2008 as a ref for Albany All Stars. After the 2008 season, I left to become head ref and coach for the Hellions of Troy for their premier 2008-2009 season. In total, I have reffed over 30 bouts and head reffed about a dozen.
In the spring of 2009, I followed my fellow ref and hero Fresh Eddie Fresh to PVRD to start skating for the Dirty Dozen. Since then, I have skated in over 25 bouts for the Dozen and am starting my second year as captain.
This is a critical year for the Dozen as we enter into a much more competitive MRDA field of teams. My goal is to move us up in the standing from sixth place overall and once again go for No. 1.
Lethe L. Ejection, Head of Officiating
I am only four bouts away from my 50th on skates, which I intend to reach before my third season as a referee with PVRD. I’ve officiated over 100 bouts in the past two seasons.
I have worked very hard over the last two seasons to be a good referee and build relations with officials in other leagues. Miss Trial (head of officiating for the MRDA) and Joe X Core saw fit to staff me as Crew Head Ref for Spring Roll.
I attended East Coast Regionals as an NSO two years ago and did inside white boarding at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup.
I will continue to work hard to staff our bouts and I’m not above bribing my crew with cupcakes.
Andre, Secretary
I’ve been skating with PVRD since February 2011 when I showed up for Fresh Meat Night with pretty much zero intention of actually skating. The next thing I knew, I was looking forward to practice on occasional visits from Canada. Now I’m here skating with the Dozen and PVRD.
As secretary, I have a few ways to help bring about an amazing 2012. I have years of past “executive position” experience running an Outdoors Club during my undergrad that is paired with my love for collaboration, openness and healthy community.
For 2012, I am excited about a rejuvenated PVRD league. The key words for this season? Teamwork, support, community and fun.
My personal goals on the board are to increase transparency and make communication/information more lateral throughout the league. I’d also encourage skaters to make their opinions known to ensure that all decisions have PVRD membership’s best interests in mind.
Chewbecca, Treasurer
I joined PVRD in March of 2010, and have been completely hooked ever since (though it took me a while to lose my “baby deer learning to walk” wobbly legs). If you see me without wheels on, I’m probably clacking away at a knitting project.
I don’t knit while I’m skating, but only because I haven’t figured out how…yet. I’m super excited for the upcoming season, and am also quite enjoying getting a chance to really focus and work on skills during the offseason.
Slam Dinista, Public Relations Coordinator
I’ve been skating with PVRD since August 2010 when I transferred from a team in Keene, N.H. Since then, I have had an enormous amount of fun scrimmaging with Everybody Else, competing on Team Redhead and Team Human at ECDX and rocking royal blue with the Florence Fightin’ Gals.
I see this position as a great way to extend several of the initiatives started by the PVRD web team, particularly in terms of posting a wide variety to this blog. I’d like to keep the momentum going on all of the publicity and outreach efforts that were done for so long and so successfully by Big Vinny’s Kid.
As far as my background goes, I have a degree in journalism and worked for newspapers for about five years before transitioning to social media. Catch me on Twitter via @Slam_Dinista or @PVRD!
Tags: Andre, Bazooka Joe, Board of Directors, Celia Casket, Chewbecca, Lethe L. Ejection, Pink Panzer, PVRD, Roller derby, Slam Dinista, Will Jettison
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