Badges

Age: 31

Occupation: Education Assistant in a re-engagement highschool

Non-derby hobbies: Geocaching and photography. I don't photograph as much as I use to anymore, but I still geocache a heap!

Tell us about your derby name.  When I was skating my full derby name was Booty Blocking Badges.  Now I just go by Badges.  It derives from my love of collecting badges.

What’s the story behind your number? My number used to be 888 because it was the closest to BBB.  But I don’t need one now, I rep the A!

How did you discover roller derby? I was asked by the Science teacher at the school where I work if I would go with her to training. Unfortunately a few weeks in she broke her arm. I stayed on and kept at it.

Why did you choose an off-skates role?  When I first joined I was aiming to be a skater. It took me a little longer than the others to level up. I eventually became contact cleared but then I hurt my knee. I began learning all about the NSO roles, to the point where I was running NSO clinics with two other members.  In 2014, I started benching. I wanted to be a part of the team but in an off-skates capacity, and I really like yelling!

How long have you been with DPR? I was one of the original DPR ladies way back in 2011 when we were skating in the carpark in Mandurah, waiting for The Zone to open! Back then, DPR was part of WARD - it was another training location.  When DPR and WARD decided to split and DPR became their own league, I stayed with WARD until I moved out to the Wheat-belt.  When I returned in 2019, I rejoined DPR.

What do you love about DPR… what keeps you here? DPR is a fun community! I love the laughing at training, the effort our skaters put in and the distance they travel to get to here!  I stay at DPR because it's so close to home.  I joke, I stay because I feel a part of the team now, I love doing the yelly things and watching our skaters grow.

Favourite derby moment so far? I loved The Great Southern Slam (TGSS).  It's a huge competition in Adelaide and leagues from all over Australia take part. I went with WARD, but DPR has been as well.  I was benching the Wards of the Skate (WOTS), I was their lineup manager so I had to make decisions on who went on track when and checked on the skaters’ well being.  TGSS was a huge highlight for me - the atmosphere and the amazing skaters.

Biggest obstacle you’ve overcome? I'm not great with meeting new people (even though I work in a highschool and am surrounded by people all day!) I get quite shy and reserved until I feel that I have been accepted, even then I'm a little standoffish. So joining a league full of people I didn't know was scary as! But I'm so glad I made the move. For the 2 year period when I wasn’t a part of derby, life was very different!!!

What advice do you have for a new skater? Get out of your comfort zone. You won't regret it. Jump in head first and try everything. The best way to learn about derby is to be a part of derby. Attend the games, volunteer and NSO whenever possible.  It's a great way to learn the rules without skating (because skating isn't for everyone). Benching is another great option.  I get to be a part of all of the action and I have one of the best views of the game!