Skater of the Month – Men's Roller Derby Association

MRDA Announces March’s Skater of the Month: Streetfight Manifesto

Posted on March 23, 2018 - 11:00 am by MRDA Public Relations

Each month, the Men’s Roller Derby Association selects a skater that we believe to be the embodiment of the values we represent and the achievements that we wish to see all of our skaters attain. This skater showcases teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship both on and off the track. We believe that these values are the building blocks for any successful league, team, skater, and person. This month, the MRDA is pleased to announce our choice for Skater of the Month to be: Streetfight Manifesto of Toronto Men’s Roller Derby

We were able to ask Streetfight some questions about his role in the derby-verse and the interview is posted below.

Skater Name: Streetfight Manifesto
Number: 1234
League Affiliation: Toronto Men’s Roller Derby
Position: Blocker
Years in derby: 4
What got you into roller derby? Really, just learning that men’s roller derby was a thing. As soon as I’d digested that information, I went out and bought skates.

What is your biggest accomplishment thus far? Helping Toronto crack the top 20 at the end of last season.

How do you push yourself to be a better athlete? Hard hits from bigger guys at practice are pretty good incentive to up my strength. I’m an average sized guy on a relatively diminutive team!

What are your goals for the upcoming season? I want us to make playoffs in Massachusetts, and raise hell there.

Who inspires you the most? I just like watching high-level teams play in general. If that doesn’t make you want to put your skates on and practice to get better, not much will.

What do you do outside of derby (work, fun, etc)? I’m a senior manager for a large telecom in Canada. When I’m not doing that, playing some records and/or reading a book is my idea of a good time.

What song do you listen to get pumped before a bout? 9mm and a Three Piece Suit – Streetlight Manifesto

What advice would you give to new skaters? The sport, while difficult, isn’t as daunting as it nearly looks. Everyone has quite a learning curve when they start off. Get some gear, borrow from a friend, or your friendly nearby league and give it a try!

MRDA Announces February’s Skater of the Month: Tommy Gun

Posted on February 12, 2018 - 3:09 am by MRDA Public Relations

This month, the MRDA is pleased to announce our choice for Skater of the Month to be: Tommy Gun of Bridgetown Roller Derby.

We were able to ask Tommy some questions about his role in the derby-verse and the interview is posted below.

Name: Tommy Gun

Number: 12

League Affiliation: Bridgetown

Position: Blocker/Pivot

Time in Derby: 6 years

What got you into roller derby?

That’s a funny story. I was in German class and we had to partner up. We were talking about sports in German and I told my class mate I played hockey all my life. She stops me and in English (which is funny because you would get in trouble for speaking English) tells me that she coaches men’s roller derby in Portland. She tells me to come out to a practice, so I did, and I have been playing ever since. Thanks, Hurt Vonnegut!

What is your biggest accomplishment thus far?

I think my biggest accomplishment is having the honor of making Team USA. Being able to skate against the best skaters around the World and to represent my country with my awesome USA teammates is something I never thought would happen.

How do you push yourself to be a better athlete?
I push myself to be a better athlete by being positive and having fun. This sport can be frustrating at times and it’s important to me to stay positive on and off the track. Also, my teammates help me push myself to be a better athlete. Without them I would not be the skater I am today.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Having fun is always my main goal but I think this year I have the same goal as everybody on my team and that is winning the gold medal in Portland.

Who inspires you the most?
The skaters in Portland inspire me the most. Wheels of Justice and Menace. The talent, skill level, and work ethic here is amazing.

What do you do outside of derby (work, fun, etc.)?

Outside of derby I like to hang out with my teammates. We do things together as a team, which to me is important, because being a family and trusting your teammates is a big part of this sport. I also like to work out outside of derby, which I think is important for any athlete. I also enjoy hanging out with my girlfriend Yoga Nabi Sari who skates for the Rose City Rollers.

What song do you listen to get pumped before a bout?

The Boys are back in town by Thin Lizzy.

What advice would you give to new skaters?

My advice would be to have fun, be patient, and don’t be afraid to fail.

Anything else you would like to share?

I would like to give a shout out to my coaches Licker n Split and Tarantula and to my teammates at Bridgetown especially my blocking line “3 men and a baby” Cozmo Damage, Demolition Man, and Juke Blocks Hero.

MRDA Announces October’s Skater of the Month: The Saint

Posted on October 1, 2017 - 9:12 pm by MRDA Public Relations

We were able to ask The Saint some questions about his role in the derby-verse and the interview is posted below.
Skater Name: The Saint
Number: #1
League Affiliation: St. Louis Gatekeepers
Position: Pivot/Blocker
Years in derby: 7 years

What got you into roller derby?
A strong desire to punish my body on a weekly basis. Also, one of my best friend’s wife played derby, the possibly immortal Chokehold Chanel. After watching a number of her bouts, Mr. Pink, Gatekeepers’ coach, tried for months to get me to join the Gatekeepers. My only regret is not joining sooner.

What is your biggest accomplishment thus far?
Winning MRDA Champs two years in a row!!! We won’t talk about my local league win/loss record. I am also extremely honored to coach the Arch Rival All-Stars, earning a trip to WFTDA Champs the last three seasons in a row.

How do you push yourself to be a better athlete?
A breakfast consisting of 10 raw eggs every morning, followed by 1,000 jumping jacks, followed by another 10 raw eggs. Honestly, cross training is a huge component to improving as an athlete. I do my best to cross train 4 times a week. The weekly highlight is an early morning Saturday morning workout with the jamming core of the Arch Rival All-Stars… nothing makes me feel slower… or taller…

What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Going for that 3-peat! A close second, doing my best to keep S. Bower from knocking be down at practice.

Who inspires you the most?
I go to work every week with a bunch of dudes who didn’t even know how to roller skate when they started derby. Now, they are 2-time MRDA Champs. The Arch Rival All-stars, setting history every season, are a wonderful group of really hard working, talented humans. One in particular, SWANSON, I can only dream of being half the skater she has worked so hard to become. You should check out the tournament MVP’s player of the month profile over at WFTDA… it’s way more charming than this read.

What do you do outside of derby (work, fun, etc.)?
When I am not practicing, training or coaching roller derby? I spend the rest of the time not getting enough sleep and adding to my sneaker collection.

What song do you listen to get pumped before a bout?
Check out “The Chief” by Jidenna. It’s a dope album.

What advice would you give to new skaters?
Have patience with yourself. Improvement in this sport isn’t a straight line to the top. Everyone has ups, downs and plateaus. Also, invest in a good helmet, your brains are important.

Anything else you would like to share?
I want to take a moment to gush about the STL derby community. The support, the love… it’s like family. In times like these, we all need family.

One final note… my butt is real.