The term ‘fresh meat’ may not seem that appealing, but for rookie roller derby players, it’s worn like a badge of honour.
The Dam City Rollers, Castlegar’s entry into the West Kootenay Roller Derby League, boasts three such players this year including promising rookie Brianna Shannon, also known as Irish Whipskey.
Shannon’s interest in roller derby actually came about watching a special on the sport on television.
“I was kind of waiting for it to happen,” she said. “I thought it would be fun and something I would really like to get into it but we didn’t have a league at the time.”
When the Rollers started up last year, Shannon watched with a keen eye and when a couple of openings came up this year, she jumped at the chance to join.
After a tough pre-season training camp and a few practices with her new team, roller derby has more than lived up to Shannon’s lofty expectations.
“I love it,” said the Castlegar native. “I love it. I love the team I did get with. They’re awesome. They really make you feel at home once you’re on the team.”
Shannon has been hard at work learning all kinds of new tricks of the trade from the Dam City Roller veterans such as Kitty Karnage, Pantsoff, and Jinjoe Fightus.
“It’s been great,” she said. “They have all types of tricks they can teach you. Some of them are a little tough but the ladies are very encouraging.”
Like most of the derby players, Shannon put a lot of thought and energy into coming up with the perfect derby name: Irish Whipskey.
“I’m Irish. I married an Irishman,” she said. “I like the whip move as well. It just came together with Irish Whiskey.”
The team is currently practicing twice a week out at Playmor Junction near South Slocan as they await the ice coming out of the Castlegar Complex.
The Rollers begin their season on Friday, April 13 when take on Rossland’s Gnarlie’s Angels in a doubleheader in Rossland.
“It’ll be awesome,” said Shannon, who can barely contain her enthusiasm about playing in her first derby game. “I’m so excited. I’m a little bit nervous. We’re playing Gnarlie’s Angels in Rossland. I know they were last year’s Mountains of Mayhem champions. It’ll be an interesting bout. They’re a tough team.”
Shannon is looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd in Rossland for her first game.
“I’m expecting a wild crowd, a lot of excitement and a few nerves,” she said. “The vets have told me that once you get going, you forget about the nerves and the crowd and you’re just focused on the game. I just can’t wait to get playing with the Dam City Rollers. They’re an awesome team.”
The team’s first home action is Saturday, May 12 at the Castlegar Community Complex when the squad battles Salmo’s Babes of Brutality.
“They are one of the founding teams in the league,” said Shannon. The Babes of Brutality also feature Team Canada player Beretta Lynch.
