DSDG breaks into the Top 10 in national rankings! Plus, find out what happened in our July bouts and get ready for Home Team Playoffs.
Hello Derby Fans!
It's been a long, hot (and humid!) summer in our fair city, but we're beating the heat and rain the best way we know -- by skating our little hearts out. This month we reached some epic milestones in the history of Atlanta roller derby, plus saw home teams and All-Stars hit the track at full speed at the Yaarab Shriner Center. Read on for bout recaps and some very exciting news!
Dirty South Derby Girls vs. Gold Coast Derby Grrls (414 - 57)
In the first bout of a double header on July 20th, the All-Star Dirty South Derby Girls took on Gold Coast Derby Grrls from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The last time the two teams met, the Dirty South won with a sizable lead, so Gold Coast was ready for a rematch. They came off the whistle hitting hard- bodies were flying off the track into the suicide seats from the start. Gold Coast fought their way into a one-point-game; with only minutes gone from the clock, the score was 23-24, with DSDG in the lead. DSDG regrouped, and started playing the game their way- setting the pack pace from the front, and destroying Gold Coast jammers. DSDG led at halftime 190-45, and Gold Coast was only able to score 22 points in the second half. Dirty South Derby Girls dominated Gold Coast with a final score of 414-57.
Players of the Game
Gold Coast
Jammer MVP: Baller Shot Caller
Blocker MVP: Soul Journer
DSDG
Jammer MVP: Hollicidal
Blocker MVP: Switchblade Siouxsie
Photo by Chris Savas
Denim Demons vs. Apocalypstix (221-132)
In the second game of the double header on July 20th, the Denim Demons and the Apocalypstix duked it out. Both teams came into the bout with one win and one loss, so this one was for all the glory. The minute the whistle blew, it was all about speed and control- both teams played relatively clean and we saw few penalties in the first half. The Demon jammers ChokeCherry, Afro Dykee and deathskull had a knack for gaining lead jammer status, and used it to stymie Apocalypstix jammers Belle of the Brawl, Nora Gretz and Genie in a Battle. A Stix rally late in the first half brought the score Demons, 111 to Stix, 73. The second half brought more brutality, and also more penalties for the Stix. The Demons continued on their path to domination, and the final score was 221-132 with the Demons taking the victory.
Players of the Game
Denim Demons
Jammer MVP: deathskull
Blocker MVP: Sissy Splaysek
Apocalypstix
Jammer MVP: Belle of the Brawl
Blocker MVP: Rudy Huxtabrawl
Photo by Chris Savas
Dirty South Derby Girls vs. River City Rollergirls (387-48)
In a closed bout on the evening of July 19th, the River City Rollergirls came down from Richmond, VA, to take on the #7 team in the world, your All-Star Dirty South Derby Girls. The bout started out fast & furious on both sides. An early River City power jam by Honey Ryder brought the score to18-13, with DSDG barely holding onto the lead. After a quick team timeout, the Dirty South cranked up the power and showed off the defense they’ve made famous- Wild Cherri, Scout SnipeHer and Alassin Sane systematically took control of the front of every pack, shutting down the River City offense, and DSDG jammers Belle of the Brawl and Hollicidal did what they do best: rack up the points. At halftime, the score was 210-22, with DSDG in the lead. The second half showed renewed fight in River City, but they were plagued by penalties, both in the pack and by jammers. River City brought out strategic star-passes, but it wasn’t enough to make a major scoring impact. The Dirty South Derby Girls took home the win 387-48.
For the first time in league history, Atlanta's own Dirty South Derby Girls have cracked the top 10! In the June 2013 WFTDA rankings, Atlanta's All-Stars didn't just creep into the top 10 from their previous ranking at 14 -- they leapt straight into the number 7 spot in the world. This is a huge upward jump for a team that has been climbing steadily in worldwide rankings since mid-season 2012. Clearly DSDG's accelerated training program, which features cross-fit workouts and weekly team practices (plus league practices and personal training regimes), has worked.
This fall, Atlanta will attend WFTDA Division 1 playoffs in Salem, Oregon, and face other top teams in the world, from Toronto to San Francisco. Our skaters' performances at this tournament will determine whether Atlanta's All-Stars once again reach the pinnacle of roller derby: the WFTDA International Championships. Road trip to Oregon to cheer them on? We'll keep you posted!
Photo by Chris Savas
Gwinnett County Jailbreak Challenge
You think rollergirls are only tough on the track? See if it’s true, and go up against some of your favorites in this 2.3 mile cross country run around the Gwinnett County jail and obstacle course. We’re sending representatives from each of our home teams to compete in the team division and we hope you’ll come see if you’ve got what it takes to escape!
Have you always wondered if YOU have what it takes to be an Atlanta Rollergirl? Grab some pads, lace up your skates, and sign up for the ARG Basic Skills Workshop! At these workshops you'll learn basic derby skating skills, which will prepare you for Atlanta Rollergirls recruitment. Tryouts will be here before you know it -- this August! If you're 18 or older*, sign up for workshop sessions that will focus on everything from lateral movement(cutting and weaving), to crossover form and stops. Skates, mouthguard, helmet, and pads required; some pads and helmets will be available for use. Come on!
Itching for a quick derby-themed getaway this August? Head east to Augusta and cheer on Atlanta's own undefeated Jukes of Hazzard! The girls in orange have demonstrated their derby prowess across the south, and are looking to end their season with a final win in their home state. Come on out y'all and support!
If you've ever attended a DSDG All-Star bout at the Yaarab Shriner Center, you've heard this girl's nickname proclaimed loud over the speakers. Atlanta's hometown announcer, Sweet Willy, nicknamed Jammunition "Grand Slam-unition" because of her proclivity for scoring grand slams jam after jam.
Atlanta All-Star and Toxic Shock Jammunition started her career with the Savannah Derby Devils in 2009. She skated with them in earnest for a season before her day job, farming, took her to the middle of nowhere. Jamm (as her teammates call her) picked derby back up in Atlanta in 2012, when she was drafted to the Toxic Shocks. In midseason 2012 she tried out for the All-Stars, and has been racking up grand slams ever since. Her favorite derby moment came against Naptown in the 2012 WFTDA Championships in Atlanta. "I got lead, scored points, and knocked down a blocker all in front of the loudest, most cheerful home crowd ever." There's also the fact that for one brief moment, Atlanta's All-Stars were beating Number 1-ranked Gotham in June. "But even more recently," she continues, "I had that first jam against Gotham and I got lead against Bonnie Thunders when both teams had a full pack...I scored 3 to her 0. But mostly I have DSDG blockers to thank for that."
Jamm doesn't have much time outside of work and practice to work out, but her day job keeps her fit. "Shoveling compost and shuffle hoeing weeds is a good shoulder workout," she explains, "[and] picking beans and strawberries is good lower back strengthening." Jamm, who is known for her stellar footwork, loves that derby forces her to rely on her instincts, making her "unconsciously improvise." Beyond the physicality, Jamm calls derby culture "the perfect ratio of athletics, sorority like sisterhood, and DIY-punk sensibilities." Come watch this ferocious jammer skate with her hometown teammates The Toxic Shocks next month!
2013 Stats
Dirty South Derby Girls
Scored 353 points in all DSDG home games
Scores an average of 9.29 points per jam
Toxic Shocks
Top scoring home team jammer, earning 185 points this season
