Cherry Von Bomb’her NPT experience
Almost a year ago today I first stepped onto a derby track, with mixed emotions, little did I know then that derby was going to be one of the most exciting life changing things I have ever done!
I’d never played a sport in my life let alone skated before, I am not the most confident person, and it looked like you needed to be super fit and agile to take part!
But I took the plunge and went along to my local team, everyone was friendly and welcoming, I was given some skates and safety gear, my first challenge was figuring out what went where!
The next hurdle was to actually stand up, but with encouragement I managed to get up and kinda roll in a forward direction inch by inch away from the wall, slowly I learned how to not fall and to get up when you do however much it hurts, to stop and to put one foot in front of the other, as the session went on I became a little more confident and started to enjoy myself.
Next up was laps, 5 minutes to skate as many laps as you could, this was going to be the ultimate test, scared and wobbly I gave it a go and managed 11 laps, I can still remember it now! When I saw the other skaters getting 25 and upwards, I was in awe, I will never be able to do that I thought to my self!
I have done my 25 in 5, there have been highs and lows, my limits tested and boundaries pushed, with tears and tantrums along the way, but with the support of my team mates these have been overcome one by one.
The final realisation that I’d finally progressed was the start of playing my first scrim, I stood there wondering how I was going to skate with my heart pounding and legs wobbling, but then I did it, and it was exhilarating! I couldn’t wait for the next time I could play.
Derby changed my life, I love it with a passion, I’v made friends, gained a social life, met people from other teams all over the country and have awesome team mates that we like to call ‘family’. The best thing I ever did was to have the courage to step in the hall that day, now there’s no looking back.
Find out more about our new Learn to skate course and get the NPT experience at
www.nptrollerderby.co.uk/learntoskate
www.facebook.com/NPTRD
@NPTRollerDerby
Photo left to right Cherry Von Bomb’her, Hazel Hemlock, Chillie Con Siany
