I attended London Rockin Rollers vs. Rain City from Manchester yesterday evening with my three close friends; a bout that will always be an inspiration to me. The atmosphere and community was near enough perfect, knowing no one else going, we were quite excited but anxious (or maybe it was just me?) but I found myself glowing with confidence the moment we stepped into the perfect location for a bout! I chatted with a few photographers and merch people, quite overwhelmed by the friendliness they had.
The game was intense. Everyone got involved - though we were standing next to some Manchester team members so it was quite hard to get fully into it - for me anyways. There was lots of shouting, punches in the air and cheering. The most amazing part was actually when someone fell - and this isn't to sound mean - when someone falls badly, everyone kneels in respect to the person, once they get up, so does everyone else, immense. Luckily all that went down got up again but there was a team member with a broken arm at the side that was cheered by everyone - bringing the brutal reality of the sport back. Still - it wouldn't stop me!
At half time, London were winning but everyone knew this game could change at any moment. As previously seen a jammer could get 15 points in one 2 minute game overtaking the other team clearly. There was a band that played, but us girls needed to go to the ladies. The reason why I mention this is because of the surrealism of even this. Posters hang on the corridor walls reading 'Please let rollergirls go first, we need them back!' and the roller girls come flying down the hallways, weaving in and out of people. I was both jealous and inspired; a dream I had previously already had grew 100% more just in that moment! The girls that walked past me, standing in the corridors - that were everywhere, were dressed in their vintage finery and accessories, it was like heaven! The world I had dreamed off was actually real! Pin curls and pageboy haircuts were the popular hairstyles here. My vintage's shoulder padded dress was seen as the norm - not stared at. It was brilliant!
The second half started, the game was even more intense, but the LRR won the game with a clear lead! 105 - 88. Their theme tune was played and everyone cheered! Then everyone watching came into the middle and the team - high-fived everyone in a circle. An awesome way to end. Soon after it was finished, my best friend and I ran off to someone we'd previously spoken to, to ask about all the details. A quick five-minute chat gave us a lot of clear information, and were off next week to start training with them! It seems a good time to make a dream a reality- finally. It's quite weird how I've only told a couple of people in my life about all this- trying to make sure not many people find out, but I'm ok with telling the blog about all the new experiences. I think I'm just too happy about it all right now!
(London Rockin' Rollers and Rainy City)
I read this through and found myself nodding in agreement the whole way - it was a fantastic day. On your point about the fashions and that, I noted to Mike that there was so much like hot-rod or Vince Ray imagery there too, like the LRR logo, that I'm used to only ever seeing as like drag race meetings, but nowhere else. The music was non-stop punk and rock 'n' roll, like I'd never heard. It was just the best atmosphere ever - made me wish I could do it too! Damn being a man :P
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