Photographer: Fredrik Tanfara
- How come you started playing roller derby?
I heard about derby through a friend that used to watch old bouts from the 70s and it was also him that showed me Whip it which finally caught my interest. It was through an acquaintance on facebook that I came in contact with GBGRD, they had recently started and consisted of a group of girls that skated in Slottskogen and Area 51. I started skating with them in the beginning of April 2010 for a couple of months before I moved temporarily to Norway. I came back a couple of weeks before Sweden’s first scrimmage between us and STRD (Stockholm Roller Derby). None of us had passed minimum skills or barely even knew what it was and that was reflected in the final scrimmage score. After the scrimmage we felt that we wanted to commit more seriously, truly learn the game and such and also for the first time we got the opportunity to rent practices spaces from Göteborgs Stad, so after that, September 2010, we started training “for real”. Along the way I started coaching and now I am the head coach and team captain.
- Why roller derby?
Why not? It’s the funniest, toughest and most challenging sport I’ve tried (or heard of) and I’ve never felt this strong or confident, as I feel right now. Derby gives confidence, a sense of belonging and a lot of love. And many, many truly amazing friends.
Photographer: Fredrik Tanfara
- What is your background pre-roller derby?
My background pre-derby consists mainly of a couple of years of athletics (mostly medium distance) followed by way too many years of not working out at all and drinking way too much beer, and then some regular gym-practice and spin classes and stuff. Nothing special.
- What is your favorite position to play in roller derby and why?
I am a bit schizo and can’t choose. During the last bout I jammed more than I usually do and that was very fun but I would never quit blocking for that. I like the variation. Blocking is all about cooperation, attention and communication while jamming on the other hand is challenging in a lot of different ways. The two positions complete each other.
- How did you prepare for the bout, both as a team and on your own?
As a team we prepared with team meetings and cheering each other on in the locker room. I was mostly busy with trying to breathe, eat and sleep and such, things that there weren’t that much time for before the last bout. Then I was also a part of the group planning the bout so the weeks before were filled with arranging and organizing, which was kind of nice since I didn’t have time to think of how nervous I was.
Photographer: Patrik Blom
- How did it feel playing in your hometown?
It was amazing to bout in our own town! We never realised how many people would attend, it succeeded all of our expectations. To have that support behind you gave so much more in terms of power and energy. Every score would make the audience scream, I’ve never felt anything like that. It was amazing.
- Were there any moments that were especially memorable before/ during or after the bout?
I have several memory fragments that flashes by from time to time and that’s makes me happy. There were a couple of times I got through the pack as a jammer and the audience just roared, I will never forget that. It was the best feeling ever.
Photographer: Fredrik Tanfara
- How do you view your individual efforts in the game?
I am happy with my contributions in the second half, mostly as a jammer. I thought it worked all right and that I used my power to get through. I am also happy about not getting as many majors as I did in the last bout, which felt important. Then I felt that my blocking wasn’t working and that my contributions in the first half were a bit less fine. There is a lot to work on but also a lot to be proud of.
- So, whats ahead in your derbyfuture?
My goal is to be on Team Sweden. It may take some time, but I am getting on, that’s that. First Team Sweden and then the World Cup, those are my individual goals right now. Then of course I have a lot of hopes for derby in Sweden, for the league and the team and such, that we will begin to bout the A-level teams, traveling and bouting in Europe, maybe get our own practice space and a lot of different fun stuff.
