The 2011 Season Kicks Off February 26! Do You Know Where Your Tickets Are?

With a new year comes a new opportunity for a home team to replace the Denim Demons as derby champs. The Atlanta Rollergirls have been working extra hard to shed our holiday muffin tops in preparation for an intense 2011 season.

We’ve even added an extra bout so you can get your derby fill, and we have another excuse to knock each other around. So mark your calendars because the girls are coming out kicking and screaming.

What's In This Issue:
- 2011 Season Begins February 26th
- Welcome to the Family: 2011 Debutante Brawl
- Last Newbie Workshop January 29th
- Tryout to Be an Atlanta Rollergirl
- Chick Fil A Parade Recap
- Player Profiles: Thunder Enlightenin
- Player Profiles: Jen D. Monic
- Atlanta Roller Derby in the News
- Derby Girls Charged with Drive-By Fooding
- WFTDA Survey
- Interested in Sponsoring the Atlanta Rollergirls?

2011 Season Begins February 26th

February marks the beginning of our 2011 season and the lineups won't disappoint to provide FANTASTIC FEATS OF FEMALE ATHLETICISM. At 5 pm the Dirty South Derby Girls hit the track against the Memphis Hustlin' Rollers. Atlanta's all-stars have a sturdy new line-up of fresh, fierce women who are ready to send Memphis rollin' on home. Then at 7:30 the Sake Tuyas skate it out against last year's champs, the Denim Demons. Will the Sake Tuyas be able to hone in on their ninja-like feats or will the Denim Demons burn their way to victory? With fresh goals and energetic players, it's hard to predict which team will triumph. Make your own bets, but be sure to get your tickets before this season opener sells out!

Come join the Atlanta Rollergirls at Bellissima on Thursday, February 10, 2011 as we welcome our new rookies into the family. And, after the sashing of our newest teammates, Karaoke!

Last Newbie Workshop

Don't miss our last newbie (new girls interested in trying out for Atlanta Rollergirls) workshop Saturday, January 29! We'll be demonstrating all the skills you'll need to tryout for our Fresh Meat program. Don't be scared- we're here to help and make you the best skaters you can be.

We require all those participating to be in full safety gear (helmet, mouthguard, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards). We do have pads you can borrow BUT you will need your own mouthguard!

Tryout to Be an Atlanta Rollergirl

Then...if you think you've got what it takes to roll with the Atlanta Rollergirls, come show us what you got at our Fresh Meat tryouts on February 5.

We require all those participating to be in full safety gear (helmet, mouthguard, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards). We do have pads you can borrow BUT you will need your own mouthguard!

The Atlanta Rollergirls took to the streets to ring in the New Year at the annual Chick Fil A Bowl Parade. Eager to skate off the holiday overindulgence and spread the derby gospel

ARG rocked the parade with skate tricks, candy, and flyers to kick off the 2011 season.

Thunder Enlightenin played two seasons for the Dirty South Derby Girls (2008 - 2009) and one season for the Denim Demons (2008) before taking some time off derby. During her year off, Thunder focused on her wedding and starting her life with her new husband, but now is ready to speed back onto the flat track.

While Thunder was an active high school athlete, she found it hard to find time and opportunity to play sports in college and beyond. After moving back to Atlanta, she went to see the recently-retired Viva Hate, a childhood friend of hers, play for Atlanta Rollergirls. From the first jam, Thunder was intrigued by the sport, in particular the intense physical demands on the jammers: "I specifically remember watching the jammers get through the pack and understanding the athletic ability involved and the level of strategy. Plus I'd never seen so many bad ass women in one place. I knew immediately that I had to do that and I bought my skates the next week."

This season, Thunder will be bringing her natural athleticism and dynamic jammer skills to the 2011 Apocalypstix. While the intensity of jamming can bring out her nerves, it's Thunder's preferred position. She excels at jamming not only because of her speed, but also because of her ability to slip her body around blockers, diffusing the impact of blocks--or being "noodley" in derby parlance.

Jen D. Monic was drafted to the Denim Demons 2007, and played three seasons before retiring to focus on her professional development. Despite continuing to dedicate a lot of time and attention to building her career as a graphic designer, Jen could not deny that, after a year, she felt the sport calling her back.

Despite retiring, Jen didn't stray far from ARG. In order to stay involved with the league and keep current on the sport, she lent her talent to ARG's stellar crew of referees during the 2010 season. When she's not skating, Jen enjoys walking, cross training on the elliptical, and playing Wii Fit. On bout days, this heavy hitter prepares herself by sleeping in, eating a high protein meal, and rocking out to metal as she drives to the bout venue.

This season, Jen D. will return to the Denim Demons to help them defend their 2010 championship title. While she sees the appeal of jamming, Jen's strength is blocking, and it's the position she plays most often. Known by some as "little tank" (a role for which she won an award in 2007), Jen is notorious for her diminutive height and hard hitting.

Atlanta Roller Derby in the News

Recently, we highlighted the one and only Amelia Scareheart, our all-star skater that played a big part in making ARG what we are today.....and who migrated to the Paris Rollergirls league. Well, it turns out that we aren't the only ones who think Amelia is rad. She is the WFTDA featured skater of the month!

When Canna Whoopass, Hollicidal, and Samwise Banshee went to volunteer for Feed the Hungry over the holidays, they were disappointed to find all volunteer slots full. In true derby girl spirit, they turned a setback into an opportunity. On a snowy day following Christmas, with donations from the league and help from rollergirls as well as refs/officials, they set about cooking and packaging spaghetti dinners. Targeting homeless areas and individuals with pitched tents, they committed about 50 drive-by foodings! We’re proud of them for filling some bellies, lifting some spirits, and proving that rollergirls have a soft and squishy side, too.

WFTDA Survey

Participate in the second annual WFTDA demographic survey! Win WFTDA prizes and help leagues around the world learn more about the audience for modern roller derby. The Atlanta Rollergirls thank you for naming us as your favorite!

Being a derby sponsor doesn’t have to break the bank. ARG has sponsors who donate products for our half-time raffle, provide in-kind services, or help cover operational costs. In exchange, we offer bout program ad space, website visibility, VIP seating and ARG swag, and a variety of other customized packages.

For more detailed information on sponsorship packages or purchasing add space, visit our website (atlantarollergirls.com) or contact Bruze Orman - BruzeOrman [at] Atlantarollergirls [dot] com.