Wednesday 29 December 2010

Whats in a name?

It can't have escaped the attention of anyone viewing the sport of Roller Derby that most people involved tend to have a derby name that they are known by and that they wear with pride. For a lot of people these names are simply a bit of fun to be had and are used to get into the spirit of the game whereas to others it is their alter-ego and putting on the shirt with that name signals the switch from their normal persona to that of that skate wearing side, the Jekyll to the Hide.

So just where do you get a cool moniker for use on track?  How should you go about getting one?  Are there any restrictions on what you can have?

Do I have to have a Derby name?First off, No.  You do not have to have a derby name and there are a number of people who skate using their own name and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this.  At the end of the day this sport is all about the enjoyment and the individuality and if that means you don't take on a derby name then so be it.

So, Are the names unique?Your derby name should be just that, it should be your name and no-one elses. There is a roster of registered roller derby names kept here http://www.twoevils.org/rollergirls/ and you should check that your intended name is not on here before getting it stitched onto the back of all your clothing.  Also bear in mind that this list sometimes takes a little while to update so you may think that you have a name which isn't on there but it may be in the process of being registered so until you have your confirmation that it's been accepted don't get your heart set too firmly on it.

You may choose a name that doesn't show as a very high match on twoevils but sounds quite close to another name.  In this scenario it is the done thing to try and contact the skater and ask if they mind you using a name similar to theirs.

When do I get to choose my derby name?Every league is different as to when they will register a skaters name but the general rule of thumb is that once you have passed your minimum skills you can register your name.  This is simply to cut down on the number of names that would be registered and then lost if skaters drifted away from the sport before passing minimums.  There is nothing wrong with thinking about and choosing a name before this time but just be aware that your league may not register it until they are certain you are staying.

What's the best type of name to have?Names are a very personal and subjective thing.  There are several ways to go about finding the name that is just right for you. By the time you come to pick a name you will probably already have an idea about the way you skate and how you want to be perceived on track.  Here are some things to bear in mind (real skater names have been used here and maybe not even for the right reasons :) ):

Sum up your style - Are you fast? a Big hitter?  Use associated words to build up a name;
Go for a pun - Miss Trial, Duncan Disorderly, Wheelspin Shady;
Use an existing nickname if you have one;
Pick an Icon/famous figure and put a spin on it -  Nigella Lawless;
Incorporate derby terminology - Jiminy Whipit, Whippee Longstocking
Combine Several of the Above - Sven WillIBeFamous is an amalgam of my existing nickname "Sven" with a pun on "When Will I Be Famous" and the fact that I started out as an announcer and that seemed a more announcery name.
Ignore the above and go for something which sounds good - Sicily Suplex, Brie Larceny (actually an anagram of a name!);
Pick something Appropriate - Sometimes the best skate name will be staring you in the face or will just pop up in conversation, So we have a particularly loud skater and she christened herself with the name Mouth of the Tyne as it just seemed right.

Remember though that your name will end up in print (On your Derby Uniform and in bout programs) and will probably be announced over a PA system to a crowd at some point, so keep it clean and unnoffensive.  Tongue in Cheek is fine but downright sweary is just bad. Also if you have a name which has an odd pronunciation and you're likely to get pissed off if it is said wrong, then please inform the announcers before a bout so they can get it right!

I often get asked to suggest new names for skaters (I think I just have a gift for thinking of things like that, and a lot of time on my hands...) and the way I approach it is to ask the skater for some background info, such as:
What's your skate style?
Who's your icon?
What's your favourite film/TV Show?
What do you do as a job/Hobby?
Do you want to incorporate your own name?
What theme do you want?
Any other info you want me to base a name on?

Once some of these have been answered I start making lists of associated words, phrases, peoples names and then working them into potential derby names.  After I have a list I do a quick check against twoEvils and reject any which have close matches and then send them over to the skater to judge.

Tuesday 28 December 2010

A Blog...My Word!

So I decided to start a blog to share my thoughts on the world of derby and my progress throughout it.


A background to me and Derby:
I had heard of Roller Derby a while ago thanks to the folks at Total Rock Radio and their show Roller Rebellion but I hadn't actually seen a bout until February 13th 2010. Stiff(Glen MoreAngry) and I had travelled to Scotland for the weekend to stay with friends (Andy Clockwise, Faerie Ruff, And of course Blackjack Belle).
We met Blackjack Belle at Meadowbank on the Friday night for the ARRG practice. We turned up there before Blackjack and so had to introduce ourselves to Ella Bella Bang Bang and then sat like a couple of wierdos in the corner while team practiced. Blackjack turned up and so we headed off for our accomodation for the night.
We started off on the Saturday watching Glasgow Roller Girls take on London Rockin Rollers.  After that I was already hooked and knew that I needed Roller Derby in my life.  We went to the afterparty and I was amazed at how friendly the skaters were (and also how much they like to party!).
Sunday we went to see Jailhouse Block (Auld Reekie Roller Girls v Leeds Roller Dolls) and that just cemented the love of the sport for me.

Blackjack convinced us that we should look into becoming refs. I used to skate many many years ago when I played street hockey as a youngster but Stiff had never had wheels on his feet before. Looking round we found the myspace page of Newcastle Roller Girls but didn't actually contact them straight away. I did however start devouring the rules.

A few months later we found ourselves back in Edinburgh for Hadrians Brawl where Newcastle Roller Girls were taking on ARRGs Cannon Belles.  Stiff and I were there to work as NSOs for the 2 bouts that day (operating the scoreboard for the first bout and then working on outside whiteboard for the main bout of Linconshire v ARRGs Twisted Thistles). We were planning on catching up with the NRG peoples after the bout but due to a bit of an overrun we had to leg it to catch our train the moment it ended.

We managed to find some contact details for Rita Von Sleaze (I think I may have got the email address from Gin + Sonic who I work with who had just recently decided that she wanted to be a roller girl).  I emailed Rita and found out when the practices were.  We waited until the next time Blackjack Belle was visiting Stiff and we went along to the Sunday practice.

The following month I had been asked by Blackjack (on behalf of GCRG) to do some announcing for the Highland Fling Tournament.  This I did alongside Helliverance from GRG and it was at Highland Fling that we met Brie Larceny and Man Shaped Dog properly and they convinced us to come along to the NRG practices more regularly.

After the Spectacular derby filled weekend of Highland Fling it was full steam ahead.  By this time I had got my skates and pads and had taken my first tentative rolls.  And that was that,  I was fully part of NRG and also spent most weekends travelling to watch, NSO or Announce derby.

So, Here's to 2011 and more derby.