Living Every Moment - Roller Derby in Dunedin
So it's 1:55am on Wednesday morning, Mr Darci is snoring and the guy upstairs is still playing Xbox - perfect time to write a post i'd say...
On Saturday I went along to watch my first bout of Roller Derby since moving to Dunedin, Dunedin Derby was holding "Living Every Moment" - a charity event to raise money for the Otago Community Hospice. 50% of profits, plus a raffle, plus the money raised by Breaking Bridges to shave her head would go to the charity.
This is probably the 4th or 5th bout I have been to - my first experience was in Christchurch two years ago with my friend Demi, who's mum 'Hurricane Hori' played for Dead End Derby. What an experience that was, choreographed entrances by both teams, unified costumes, an air guitar competition, memorabilia personalised with each player's image, and an awesome DJ who managed to play music that perfectly set the scene - i felt like I was part of the movie Whip It. Over time I hope that the same atmosphere can be repeated at every bout in New Zealand, Dunedin definately came close on Saturday though, hiring the Otago Dancers (who Demi is now a principle dancer for) to amp up the crowd and welcome the players onto the track - I somehow got dragged into the middle of the floor for a terrible rendition of Gangnam Style with a bunch of kids, also having P from Classic Hits as the MC and having one player give up her locks in the aid of fundraising.
The bout was closely contended, with Kowhai Karnage coming up against Pohutakaos, a mixture of Dunedin's finest, and guest players coming down from Christchurch. In the end Pohutakaos took it out. I must commend Evil K'Neevil for her amazing Jamming (she scored a whole lotta points!), and that jump at the end of the game! She made it look easy, but I guess if you can make the New Zealand team that went to the world champs you've got to be pretty good.
Another player to single out is Breaking Bridges, not only did she raise $700 for the Hospice, she had her head shaved in front of the the whole stadium at half time! Bridges announced she is undergoing treatment for Melanoma on her back, just as the clippers were turned on, making this event even more relevant to her.
Overall the event was a success raising over $1500 - I regret not buying a raffle ticket, there were some great prizes donated by Agency Inc, Hellz Pizza, Cadbury and many more. The overall sense was of fun which was reflected by all of the players and of doing something for the greater good, which should be done more often.
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On Saturday I went along to watch my first bout of Roller Derby since moving to Dunedin, Dunedin Derby was holding "Living Every Moment" - a charity event to raise money for the Otago Community Hospice. 50% of profits, plus a raffle, plus the money raised by Breaking Bridges to shave her head would go to the charity.
This is probably the 4th or 5th bout I have been to - my first experience was in Christchurch two years ago with my friend Demi, who's mum 'Hurricane Hori' played for Dead End Derby. What an experience that was, choreographed entrances by both teams, unified costumes, an air guitar competition, memorabilia personalised with each player's image, and an awesome DJ who managed to play music that perfectly set the scene - i felt like I was part of the movie Whip It. Over time I hope that the same atmosphere can be repeated at every bout in New Zealand, Dunedin definately came close on Saturday though, hiring the Otago Dancers (who Demi is now a principle dancer for) to amp up the crowd and welcome the players onto the track - I somehow got dragged into the middle of the floor for a terrible rendition of Gangnam Style with a bunch of kids, also having P from Classic Hits as the MC and having one player give up her locks in the aid of fundraising.
The bout was closely contended, with Kowhai Karnage coming up against Pohutakaos, a mixture of Dunedin's finest, and guest players coming down from Christchurch. In the end Pohutakaos took it out. I must commend Evil K'Neevil for her amazing Jamming (she scored a whole lotta points!), and that jump at the end of the game! She made it look easy, but I guess if you can make the New Zealand team that went to the world champs you've got to be pretty good.
Another player to single out is Breaking Bridges, not only did she raise $700 for the Hospice, she had her head shaved in front of the the whole stadium at half time! Bridges announced she is undergoing treatment for Melanoma on her back, just as the clippers were turned on, making this event even more relevant to her.
Overall the event was a success raising over $1500 - I regret not buying a raffle ticket, there were some great prizes donated by Agency Inc, Hellz Pizza, Cadbury and many more. The overall sense was of fun which was reflected by all of the players and of doing something for the greater good, which should be done more often.
One last word - if you're in Dunedin and are keen to join in, follow the link to the DD Facebook page where you can find information on their next Fresh Meat intake:
Yay! Love the Derby review!
ReplyDeleteGreat story - wish i was there to see it. All the best on your journey Breaking Bridges x
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