Claremont
After six years training at Great View Roller Skating Rink in Enfield, the increasingly popular roller derby outfit (also known by its league name, Twin State Derby) last week held its first practices inside a spacious warehouse on Washington Street.
The move will give the Vixens more flexible and available practice times, with a monthly lease agreement rather than renting by the hour. The increased training opportunities should bolster a team that has blossomed to an all-time-high 44 players, enough for complete A and B teams.
“Great View has been great over the years, but this just makes more sense for everybody right now,” said Kristi Clemens, a.k.a. Ivory Tower, a charter member of the team and its business manager. “When it was hourly, we had to be gone 15 minutes after practice, so it was hard to hold team meetings or have extra training sessions.”
There was a team vote on the move, Clemens said, and more than 90 percent supported the transition. The average one-way commute time difference for members is an increase of 10 minutes, she noted.
It’s closer for some, including stalwart Taylor Long, a.k.a. ElizaDeath, of Windsor. The shorter drive time isn’t the only aspect of the change that excites her.
“I’m actually pretty giddy about it,” said Taylor. “It gives us a lot of training flexibility, and from a recruitment standpoint, it will allow us to tap more into (the Claremont area), which is great because I think a lot of people are rooted here. Around Hanover and Lebanon, there are a lot of people who love derby, but some of them are only in the area (temporarily). The more players we have who we know are going to stick around long-term is clutch.”
One of the newcomers is Claremont resident Deborah Anderson, 40, who has been watching roller derby — and Twin State Derby — for years. The Vixens hold home games, known as jams, at Union Arena in Woodstock.
“I’ve actually loved derby since I was a little kid in the 1980s, watching on TV,” said Anderson, a.k.a. Twisted Throttle. “I recently lost 121 pounds and was inspired to come out this year, and it’s been amazing to play with these women. The fact that practice is in Claremont now makes it all the more perfect. This is a great space.”
Twin State Derby is in its second full season as a Women’s Flat Track Derby Association league following a successful apprenticeship season. The Vixens were an impressive 8-1 this spring, earning a current ranking of 155 amid around 350 qualified WFTDA affiliated leagues worldwide. Twin State’s ranking, already the fifth-best among New England teams, should be even higher when the next update is released this week.
The rise in competitive status is no mistake for the Vixens, who have ramped up their training methods with an increased emphasis on both strategy and developing physical strength. Transfer skaters from more competitive leagues have also come on board in recent years, Clemens noted, and a commitment to studying higher-level game footage and cross-training with other activities has also helped the Vixens become contenders.
“Every single person in our league considers themselves an athlete, which is not what it was like when we first started,” Clemens wrote in a follow-up message.
That’s not to say the league isn’t open to everyone. In fact, the culture of inclusivity is a big draw for many.
Newcomers are inaugurated with what Twin State Derby calls its Rookie Experience Program, a monthlong series of training sessions designed to introduce basic skills, rules and strategy, all of the ins and outs to help eliminate guesswork for those learning the game.
“We know that certainly no one grew up playing roller derby, and we believe that anyone who commits to becoming more athletic and learning about this sport can be a part of the league,” Clemens wrote. “As a women’s sport, making sure everyone involved feels that they have access to learn and participate is really important to us. We focus on supporting each other and pushing everyone to the highest level of achievement possible, but without making an individual feel like there isn’t a place for them if their skate skills need some work.”
Even those not on skates contribute in various ways.
Volunteer coaches, referees, public address announcers, photographers and EMTs are all necessary for a league to run home bouts smoothy. The Vixens have 16 non-skating members, including head coach Steve “My Baby Daddy” Henck. He wasn’t on hand during the team’s second practice in Claremont on Thursday, when the team held a B-team scrimmage.
Scott “Hop Along” Henkels, of Canaan, was there to help officiate.
“It’s a great group to be involved with and invested with,” Henkels said. “I’ve officiated tournaments all over, from Oklahoma to New Brunswick, and cover my own expenses. It’s worth it, because it’s a great sport.”
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3225.