For photos from the first practice : CLICK HERE

That’s right, your Bangor Roller Derby has survived their first practice, and you are that much closer to seeing them in action and cheering til you’re hoarse.

A rough and horrible time was had by all, and your Derby girls are amped up to go harder next week. Everyone worked their fannies off, and the whole sweaty mess was something to be incredibly proud of!!!

I hope you’re getting ready out there, because we’re coming for you!

Before long I will have wicked snazzy photo albums up here, and probably some video clips, so you can get an idea of what’s going on, but for now I have a couple of shots that I just wanted to get up as a little teaser. You can click on the images for the full version.

Keep up the excitement, keep spreading the word that we are coming, and don’t forget that we are going to be needing refs and other volunteers to make this happen. I can’t say it enough, and I’ll say it again, it takes a lot of people to make Derby happen, and they aren’t all on skates.

Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and when you’re passing people in the mall pretend to take on your cell phone, and say, “Bangor Roller Derby!”

So, it’s official Bangor… You have Roller Derby!

Even with the decision to expand our first newbie class to 40, all the slots were filled by the end of our meeting last Saturday! We even had some ref hopefuls and others show up, and it was a great meeting. We are set with a full class to start training on the 25th, and if the excitement at the meeting is any real judge, we will have a solid cast of graduates mid-December.

Remember, if you were hoping to get into our first group, you aren’t shut out of Derby. There are a lot of opportunities to participate while you’re waiting for the next newbie class. We need refs, non-skating officials, an announcer, and a lot of other volunteers to bring this together. Who knows, if you’re around a lot before the next newbie class, we might not call you “Meat,” all the time when you do get in.

If you’re just excited about Derby, but don’t really want to get your hands dirty, don’t worry – We need fans too!

You might not get quite the blast of chatter that’s been going around the last couple of weeks – we’re training after all – but we’ll be around, and it is never to early to start showing your support. You never know where we’ll show up – unless you come back and check the calendar here – but, we’ll be making the rounds.
Info on that event here - http://www.mainerollerderby.com/events/If all the recent talk has piqued your interest, Bangor Roller Derby is taking a trip to watch the Maine Roller Derby Wicked vs. Good IV bout on October 8th. Why not meet us there? Show your support for Roller Derby wherever it is in our great state, get a taste of what will be coming your way in 2012, and meet your Derby girls to boot!

Hey again everyone! So, yes, after some deliberation, and noting the incredible response, Hillbilly Nelson and Cereal Suicide have agreed to the massive task involved in raising our initial group to 40! This is especially great news for everyone, because it means that we should be able to split into two teams sooner than expected, and get some full-fledged bouts going within our own league!

If you thought you were out of the running for the initial newbie class, think again, but don’t take too long, because the spots are obviously still going to fill up quick.

On another note, just wanted to throw out a pic of some of the BRD new recruits who got together at Great Skate on Wednesday. The Roller Derby Bonding Vortex was in full effect, and everyone had a great time.

Also, for those who may not know already, BRD is putting together a trip to Portland on Saturday, October 8th to see Maine Roller Derby in a bout. They have offered to give us half price tickets ($7, I think), and the idea is that within the same trip we would visit Turn Two Skate Shop and give the Derby Girl run store bags of cash – possibly in exchange for much equipment and whatnot.

And, don’t forget the meeting Saturday!

One final note to everyone, Derby Girl and fan alike, the Calendar here will (I’m going to say) be updated regularly, and I encourage you to check back often and stay informed. Whether it’s practices, bouts, trips, charity events/participation, or just times and places of future Derby Girl congregation (well, you know, not our secret congregations), it will be there.

Keep up the awesome work, and if you are still looking to get your spot, email bangorrollerderby@gmail.com as fast as you can.

Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to kicking things off so spectacularly!

Response has been far better than anticipated… nah, we knew you were there really!

I wanted to put something up here real quick because -

A) As we make our way through the initial stages, there is only so much to put up, and it looks all dull and lifeless without some posts going out.

B) Response has been so overwhelming that I want to make sure that everyone is aware just how incredibly things are shaping up.

Basically, I want to make sure we have it out there that space is limited for skaters in our first newbie training class, and it looks like we’re going to be full in a hurry. As much as we would love to be able to meet the response, it isn’t going to be possible. At least, not right away.

Please make sure that you are on the ball if you are interested in joining. Don’t let it slip through your fingers!

Also, please do not let yourself be dissuaded by anything I just said. There are opportunities for everyone, and even if you don’t make it into the first training class, there is plenty you can do to be involved until the next one starts. Roller Derby owes its existence to volunteers, and to the dedication of many who are not circling the track right this second.

If you are interested in becoming a skater for Bangor Roller Derby, please contact us at bangorrollerderby@gmail.com or info@bangorrollerderby.com as soon as possible.

And again, there are numerous positions that we will need help with other than just skaters. Refs, scorekeepers, and a variety of other positions must be filled, and we need you.

Thanks again for all the incredible support.

Let’s do this thing!

Dirk U. Gently