Out Of Your League: Birmingham Blitz Dames
Continiung a new feature for UKAmericanSportsFans.com, we bring you some of the fiercest skaters on the roller derby tracks of the UK. Join us as we delve a little deeper into who they are, how they play, and a whole lot more!
Name:
Anna Homer
League:
Birmingham Blitz Dames
Derby / Skater name:
Penny Block
Age:
28
Day job:
Archivist
How did you choose your derby name?
When I started skating, I’d also quite recently started a new project working on a Victorian-era women’s history archive. So I had Victorians on the brain. The Penny Black was a stamp from that era (194), the first stamp and it looks kickass. So I am Penny Block. Contrary to rumours that Daphne du Gorier is spreading, I do not have a thing for stamps.
What is your usual role on the rink?
Blocker.
What do you think is your greatest strength or asset in that role?
I am stubborn and I REALLY like to get in people’s way. I also have trouble switching off from paying attention to everything that’s going on, which can be a problem in the office but is a positive on track.
What do you enjoy most about derby?
How it’s constantly evolving. Game to game, you don’t know how two team’s tactics will work against each other. That you don’t need any particular skill set or experience or body type to be successful. And I love how my league works on and off the track.
Who have been your toughest opponents to date and why?
For our first ever B team bout, we played Portsmouth Roller Wenches. It was a brilliant experience and we enjoyed it but we had to fight for every point and to hold every wall the whole way through! Exhausting.
Which of your team mates are you glad you don’t have to skate against and why?
Pretty much all of my team mates are beasts in some way or another! But in particular, Taylor Trash is a nightmare to get past; you will hurt for weeks after you’ve been hit by Roisin Roulette or Suzette la Flamme; Pixie-lated, Nico Warrior and Ann T Venom are wriggly little jammers who are impossible to contain; Bull Terroriseher and Quadelia Chase are innocent looking but lethal blockers; and Violet Attack is both scary and scary good.
What would you say to fresh meat out there thinking of getting involved?
DO IT. I couldn’t skate at all when I started. Then, I learned to stand up but when I fell over I couldn’t get back up again. And then when I FINALLY learned to move forwards, I was knackered after skating one lap. Now, this month I’m bouting four times! You need determination (or stubbornness!) most of all, everything else will come sooner or later.
When can people next see you skate?
At home against Rainy City at @futsal Birmingham on May 25th (doors from 1pm).
