The Gold Pain City Derby Girls are gearing up for our second season of bouting! The warm-up was a bout back in January against the Rated PG Roller Girls in Prince George. It had been a year since our first bout with the neighbouring team when last February the Rated PG Roller Girls took us Gold Pain Girls to school with a win and a near 200 point gap! Ouch!
This year, however, though still defeated, we brought it and walked away proud of our 147 to 222 score; evidence that whatever we’d been doing this past year was paying off. The recent bout also sported 12 Gold Pain Girls on the bench with only two borrowed players from other leagues. It’s common for teams to borrow players and we’ve done it plenty, but the Gold Pain Girls are going into this season with a full roster all our own.
The team has always focused on training new recruits, fondly referred to as Fresh Meat, in the minimum skills required to play in bouts. As a new team, recruiting has been essential. But at the start of this practice season last September, the team added a great deal of focus on strategy with the intention of matching and catching up to their opponents. Experience as a team and the opportunity for more competitive play often makes the difference. Soon we’ll be adding tougher strategy and pushing the team to greater achievements.
Last season was our first bouting season and we managed two home bouts; our first win at the May Massacre and our second win at the second annual Gold Rush Rumble on Friday night of Billy Barker Days.
The bouts have been a hit and the afterparty at the Shark Club in May was a success, but our dance and after party at the arena after the Gold Rush Rumble has to date not been what we hoped it to be. It’s been a real learning experience.
We assure our fans that we are working on turning it around!
No more long waits after the bout to get celebrating with the teams!
This year the team will be hosting four bouts starting with a mixed scrimmage April 27 as the ending event of a boot camp we’re hosting. Skaters and referees from all over B.C. will spend the day training with Team Canada coaches from Pivotstar, an athletic gear and derby training business owned and operated by LuluDemon of Team Canada and the Tournament City Derby Dolls, after which the skaters will split up to scrimmage against one another in an evening bout open to the public.
Tickets will be on sale soon for the event named Rainbow Rampage, doors open at 6 p.m., whistle at 7 p.m.
Tickets on sale at Reason 2 Run on Reid St or from one of the derby girls.
If you miss the action this month or you just can’t get enough, you can catch the hard hitting roller girls here at home May 11, June 1 and at the third annual Gold Rush Rumble July 19 at the Twin Arenas.
It’s always exciting, always full of thrills and spills, with a beer garden, draws and always a family friendly event! Hosting several bouts this year is an exciting challenge for the team and goes along with the challenge of several bouts on the road. The team is fired up and looking forward to it!
The association has recently started a junior team for girls 8 – 18, Gold Nuggets Junior Roller Derby, too.
The idea burst into action in January and is about to enter into its second session.
The team already attended a mixed scrimmage in Prince George, joining up with the Spruce City Derby Brats to get some real derby track play.
A far less aggressive version of the adult sport, junior roller derby offers younger girls the opportunity to learn the game, train hard physically and enjoy the sport without the hitting.
The Gold Pain City Derby Girls appreciate Quesnel’s support as they work hard to grow the team and find a place in local sports.
Volunteers aren’t just welcome, they are the life blood behind the association and all events!
If you are interested in participating in any way, visit our website goldpaingirls.org or on Facebook at Gold Pain City Derby Girls.
For the junior team visit Gold Nuggets Junior Roller Derby on Facebook.
Dates to mark on your calendar are April 27, May 11, June 1 and of course, July 19!
Reani Rink Rash is coach and player with GPCDGA.
