The New Face Of CRG
The face of roller derby is changing, and increasingly, it’s made up of skaters who started playing the sport as teens and even pre-teens. This year, the Cincinnati Rollergirls have seven skaters who got their start on junior teams in Cincinnati and beyond — that’s nearly half a roster! We talked with them about how adult derby is different from junior derby, what their goals are and what advice they’d give to other junior skaters.
Pictured, from left to right: CleoPAINtra, Ficus, Ada Burnlace, Hail Skatin, Princess Derby, Mae Murder, Little Bull
When and where did you start playing roller derby, and what made you want to start playing?
Ada Burnlace: I started playing roller derby at 15. I was at a dinner where they were auctioning “Be a Rollergirl for a Day” where I saw someone do a cartwheel on roller skates. I decided that was the kind of crowd I wanted to roll with.
CleoPAINtra: I believe I started roller derby in 7th or 8th grade (2011-2012). What made me start me want to start playing roller derby was I had friends who played and I finally pressured my mom into letting me try it out. She was used to the staged, banked-track derby so she was very cautious about letting me play until she realized it had been re-invented into a real sport.
Hail Skatin: I started playing for Cincinnati Junior Rollergirls and I started playing because of Princess Derby. She insisted I would love it and she couldn’t have been more right.
Little Bull: I started playing for Nashville Junior Roller Derby in October 2012. I loved roller skating and some girls on the team told me I should join.
Mae Murder: I started playing in 2012 for the Cincinnati Juniors. My dad took me to the CRG home closer in 2011 and got bit by the derby bug. I had my name picked out that night.
Princess Derby: I started playing when the juniors team started for Cincinnati in 2012. I wanted to play because I loved skating and my mom [Polly Rocket] skated for Cincinnati.
What was the highlight of your junior derby experience?
Ada Burnlace: I think the biggest highlight was my last regionals. It was truly a great way to end my time as a skater with CJRG and taking home third was pretty great too. I can’t wait to see them take home first one day!
CleoPAINtra: Coming back from a huge abdominal surgery and playing like I never left for a year!
Hail Skatin: Watching myself going from a beginner skater to becoming the skater I am today. I couldn’t have done all of it without Sailor Scary [a CJRG coach and CRG skater] and Princess Derby.
Little Bull: Playing and traveling with all of my best friends.
Mae Murder: When we (the juniors) played Nashville, I cleared the entire pack and got my jammer out. My other highlight is the game that I was captain for.
Princess Derby: The highlight of my junior derby experience was having Scary as a coach and learning what the adults did. Another highlight was when I convinced my best friend to start playing (Hail Skatin).
Why did you want to try out for CRG?
Ada Burnlace (left): I had been doing parades and volunteer stuff with CRG for years as a part of CJRG, so it just made sense.
CleoPAINtra: To return to one of the only sports I enjoy playing!
Hail Skatin: I have always been interested and thought that I could never do such a sport. So as I became better at skating, Princess brought me with her, and all I can say is everyone needs to take the risk. It’s a “scary” sport, but it’s so worth it.
Little Bull: I wanted to continue playing after juniors and I was moving to Cincinnati.
Mae Murder: I have always wanted to play with CRG.
Princess Derby: My mom had played on that team for years and it had always been a goal of mine to join.
What are the biggest differences between junior derby and adult derby?
Ada Burnlace: Adult derby is slower but the hits are hard and it’s much more of a team effort. When I jammed as a junior, I would often be recycled by one person, but now I get recycled by the whole wall.
CleoPAINtra: I guess the biggest difference that I found was that adult derby includes a lot more strategy, while junior derby is more like “go rogue.” I enjoy both.
Hail Skatin: The biggest difference for me was the intensity level. It gets more competitive as an adult, which in my opinion makes it all the better.
Little Bull (right): It’s taken a lot more seriously. It’s a lot harder and more aggressive.
Mae Murder: How calm and supportive the team is. None of the drama that plagues adolescents.
Princess Derby: Adult derby is more intense. You definitely have to have more awareness.
What’s been the most memorable experience of your adult derby career so far?
Ada Burnlace: During CRG’s fall season, I had an incredible jam where I scored 15 (or around there) points. I really struggle with jamming, so to have such a good jam felt like validation for my work.
CleoPAINtra (left): Receiving my first MVP jammer award! Never got one in junior derby.
Hail Skatin: Becoming part of the WFTDA team, and getting to play with my best friend yet again.
Little Bull: The CRG game on April 7 I think that I played my best, and it felt awesome.
Mae Murder: The first time that I was announced out onto the track.
Princess Derby: Making the charter.
What are your derby goals?
Ada Burnlace: My goal is to help shape the future of roller derby, jam more, and hold that freakin’ inside line.
CleoPAINtra: Work on my endurance and physical strength, footwork, and understand the strategy behind everything.
Hail Skatin: To become a part of the charter someday, and improve my skills with every practice.
Little Bull: To become a stronger skater.
Mae Murder: To be the best that I can be.
Princess Derby (right): My goal was to make the charter. Now my goal is to improve as much as I can.
What advice would you give to a junior skater who wants to keep playing as an adult?
Ada Burnlace: Don’t give up. Not on the track or off of it. Some days it’ll be easier than others, but you can do it.
CleoPAINtra: Cross-train and take time to understand the sport; it can get complicated.
Hail Skatin: Keep going! Your hard work will pay off!
Little Bull: Be ready to learn and don’t be afraid!
Mae Murder (left): Work hard. Take advice from your teammates.
Princess Derby: Work hard and make sure you have track awareness.
What’s something else you want people to know about you?
Ada Burnlace: I’m now a coach of the Cincinnati Junior Rollergirls with Mae Murder.
CleoPAINtra: I’m a biological science major at Xavier University and an aspiring physician-researcher. I really enjoy hiking, hanging out with friends, and learning (I make about 10 Google searches a day… I’m not sure if that’s normal). I’d really love to visit Egypt someday. I love listening to music and playing music on the viola and cello.
Anything else you want to add?
Ada Burnlace: Roller derby will always leave you very different from when you first found it, no matter what age.