Hi I’m Hazel Hemlock, head coach and founder of NPT Roller Derby. I have been skating since I was about three when my sister who was nine at the time strapped some uncomfortable metal adjustable skates on me and taught me how to skate round our front garden and I loved it even though they hurt. I then had my first pair of skates when I was 5 years old, they were white high ankle boots and were not like derby skates at all!

My childhood ambitions were either to be a bus driver or to own a roller skating café. They both involved wheels and I knew even then I wanted skating to be part of my life in some way. I quad skated up till I was 12 years old then moved onto rollerblades as I took up roller hockey in my local leisure centre. I really enjoyed it but found it difficult as I was the only girl amongst a lot of boys and being quite a shy person I found it tough to stand my ground (not anymore lol).

In my teens I then bladed and quad skated a lot down Swansea beach and spent many a summer skating back and fore practicing little tricks. Little did I know I was in a way training for a sport that I didn’t even know existed and more than 10 years on I found roller derby.

I hadn’t skated for a while not because I didn’t want to but because being grown up meant not much time but now I find the time to do something I love. I started out with the Swansea City Slayers and skated with them for a year and a half. Then my newlywed husband Joe and I and our friend Carol decided to start a local team where we lived in Neath Port Talbot. This was a big decision for me as it meant not playing derby for a while until we had formed a group of skaters who could skate and play derby safely. However I’m glad I did as the rewards have been great, I have helped skaters who on their first session clung to the wall but are now confidently bouting.

With coaching you help others but you also learn a lot about yourself too and your own skating as you have to think of easy ways to break things down which isn’t always easy, however completing my BRSF coaching course has helped with this.

The team is going well and we are now introducing our first learn to skate course for people who would like to just learn to skate or play/officiate derby with no pressure. I’m really looking forward to this as I love meeting new people and each person the team meets brings something extra to NPT Roller Derby and its growth. If you are interested please sign up, it is open to anyone over 18 and I and the rest of the team will make sure that you are welcomed.

Get your tickets here

www.nptrollerderby.co.uk/learntoskate

www.facebook.com/NPTRD

@NPTRollerDerby

You can now book your place on our learn to skate course follow the link

Women of Neath Port Talbot……Yes, you the gorgeous skinny minnie over there…..you the bootylicious big girl……you who hasn’t ever played a team sport……you fit girls looking for something new to get your teeth into……you younglings with all your enthusiasm for life………you mature women with all your wisdom……You NEED TO DISCOVER ROLLER DERBY!

I joined NPT roller derby in January this year. An unfit roundy woman fast approaching middle age I may be, and let’s be honest….I was terrified! But it turned out to be one of the best things I ever did. Everyone made me so welcome and although I’m never going to be the best in the world, the time is fast approaching when I will be out there on the track with my team mates blocking the hell out of my opponents!

Roller derby brings a whole new spectrum of colour into my life. Anything that brings women of all ages and from all walks of life together without judgement or discrimination has to be a good thing right? And if that thing gets your heart pumping and calls for you to release all that aggression from inside of you in a very cool way…well, what more could you possibly want?

I know one thing for sure - roller derby will never be a fad. You know, when you start something and quickly get bored? Not gonna happen! Take the plunge, come and join us, know what it feels like to be part of a team and amaze yourself at what you can do.

Just be warned that it WILL change your life.

www.nptrollerderby.co.uk/learntoskate
www.facebook.com/NPTRD
@NPTRollerDerby

Photo left to right Jones, Hazel Hemlock, Bellzy Bubb, Elemen Teri, The Rebel Rosa, Hannah Bowden,  Electro Aly, Hey Miky, Kayla Khaos, Professor Moriarty, V for Vrettos

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

NPT Roller Derby Presents 10 week learn to skate course. Open day at Cwrt Herbert Neath 15th June 2:30pm to 3:30 pm. Course starts on 25th June 7-9 pm week 10 being a roller disco. 10 weeks only £40.

More info at www.nptrollerderby.co.uk/learntoskate

Who will get their hands on this one of our many prizes for our pub quiz on the 28th March at the Castle hotel Neath.

Want to get a song request in for March 11th? Then donate a minimum of 50p put your request down with your donation, or if you just want to donate please do!!it all goes to comic relief

Skates. They’re just boots with wheels on aren’t they??  For many months after I started roller derby, I was super confused about the different components of a skate. Other skaters would talk at length about plates, cushions and trucks and it would all go over my head. Even worse, I was too embarrassed to ask people to explain it all to me. Above is a little photo I found which makes understanding your skates just that little bit easier.