Evada Perón - Movin' On Up

We're no strangers to saying good bye. Some big names in Canadian roller derby got their start in black and purple; 8 Mean Wheeler, Amazombie, Mary Queen of Shotz, PLAYER 1, Sissy Straight-edge and coach Mack the Mouth were all on the FPC roster before they moved up to the big leagues of the WFTDA. But when you're destined for even greater greatness, saying goodbye to the Faster Pussycats is the price you have to pay.

Photo by Nicolas Charest for RollerGirl.ca

Evada Perón has been a member of the Terminal City All-Stars for a few months now, but when she got drafted, she already had her eye on the 2012 Mercury Shield and didn't want to leave the winning trajectory that she and her beloved Pussycats had started at the beginning of the house team season. Vaders can testify that playing double duty on two teams can be very rewarding, but it's also an enormous commitment and not very many TCRG players are able to do it for long. So, it's with a heavy heart that we are announcing the departure of our ferocious, raven-haired freedom fighter, Evada Perón.

We asked her a few questions about her experience on the Pussycats' roster, and her new life as a full-time All-Star.

Meet the Pussycats - Coach Moneyball!

Does the name Moneyball 'ring a bell'? (See what I did there? No? Okay, you'll get it in a second.) Well, the current Faster Pussycats' coach (formally known as FPC skater, Ring’er Bell), decided a name change was necessary after switching roles from skater to coach this season.  Moneyball, a book written by Michael Lewis (2003), is about the Oakland Athletics baseball team and its focus on an analytical, evidence-based, Sabermetric approach to assembling a competitive sports team (it was also a movie starring the very camera-friendly Brad Pitt).  Still a bit lost on why exactly this name was the perfect choice? Read on…

Name, Number: Coach Moneyball, +/-

Sign: Taurus

Best Quality: Tenacity and dedication

Worst Quality: Don't ask me anything before 10 am.

Loves: Sports & Stats

Hates: Mornings

Lucky Charm: I don't believe in luck.

Super Power: Converting sabermetic methods into revolutionary derby stat analysis right before your eyes!

Photo by Bob Ayers

For the newer fans of the Terminal City Rollergirls and more specifically, the Faster Pussycats, it might not be widely known that Coach Moneyball hasn’t always been a coach.  Just like the rest of us kitty cats, her nine lives are full of interesting tales to tell. 

Meet the Pussycats – Jig-A-Watt Jaxon #1.21

 If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. ~ Marty McFly, Back to the Future

Name, number: Jig-A-Watt Jaxon #1.21

Position: Blocker

Sign: Taurus

Best quality: Being a redhead

Worst quality: Not a morning person

Occupation: Cashier/Burger Whisperer

Loves: Reading and travelling

Hates: Letting people down

Jig-a WHAT?  Feeling a little discombobulated? Surroundings look a little strange? Perhaps it’s because you just got launched into another time and place by the powerful force of our very own Jig-A-Watt Jaxon.  It’s no coincidence her skater number reflects the amount of gigawatts necessary to power the flux capacitor of the famed Delorean, just like the impact of her hip check that will send you travelling through time.  If you have no idea what we are talking about, then we direct your attention to a very significant film from the 1980s, and encourage you to watch this clip to refresh your memory. We'll wait.
...

Meet the Pussycats - Schwarzemegger #T101

by Evada Perón


“In the Year of Darkness, 2012, the rulers of this team devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. Something unstoppable. They created 'THE SCHWARZEMEGGER'”

Photo courtesy of Nicolast Charest for RollerGirl.ca

Name, number: Schwarzemegger #T101

Nickname: Schwarzy

Position(s): Blocker/Jammer

Best quality: Determination

Loves: Dark chocolate and cold beer

Hates: Elbows and Negativity

Super power: Ability to land on my feet

Favorite cat:  Hobbes, Calvin's stuffed tiger from the comic books. He's just so cool, calm, and relaxed, but get him wound up and he becomes totally crazy!

If you have had the chance to catch Schwarzy on skates and thought to yourself, “this girl looks familiar,” perhaps you’ve run into her at the Central City Arena in Surrey.  This cool cat got the itch to join derby after she started a job working at the roller rink and saw skaters dropping in for practices and public skates. “All these girls came in on roller skates. I had no idea what roller derby was but was pretty stoked to get paid to watch them practice and fetch ice for their bruised knees and tweaked ankles." 

Meet the Pussycats – Tiki TimeBomb #3.2.1

Tick...tick....tick...BOOM!  Good things come in small packages and this package includes a speedy set of eight wheels and, some are convinced, a stealthy concealed turbo jet pack.  She is the current Captain of the Pussycats and a crowd favorite, so if you haven’t met Tiki Timebomb on the track, here is your chance to learn a bit more about one of the Faster Pussycats’ top secret weapons.

Name & number: Tiki TimeBomb #3.2.1

Position(s): Jammer/Blocker/Team Captain

Best quality: Ambitious

Worst quality: Tempestuous

Occupation: Computer Whisperer

Favorite Cat: Bucky Katt from the Get Fuzzy strip. We share a similar intolerance of idiocy, and a lust for fame surpassed only by our desire to eat a monkey. I'm kidding. I don't eat anything with eyelashes.

Meet the Pussycats - NazDroveya Wylde #191proof

by Evada Perón

The FPC could not be more pleased to introduce you to Rookie skater, NazDroveya Wylde, also known as “Naz-dee” by her fellow kitties.

Photo by Bob Ayers

Name & Number: NazDroveya Wylde, #191 proof

Position(s): Blocker and sometimes jammer!

Sign: Scorpio

Best Quality: I'm a Scorpio.

Worst Quality:  I'm a Scorpio. Or has that line been taken already?

Meet the Pussycats - Venom S Kiss #J9

by Evada Peron

The 2012 season is approaching, so it's time to introduce the newest, fiercest members of your favorite team, the Faster Pussycats!  We have been sharpening our claws in preparation for another season and scratching up the flat track in excitement to introduce some of our newest kittehs.

If you haven’t already heard of Venom S Kiss, well now is the time!  We are thrilled to have her on the roster and we know you will love her just as much as we do.  Here is just a taste of the ridiculous awesomeness that is Venom:

Photo by Bob Ayers

It's hard to say goodbye...

The winds of change have blown in once again, and we are sad to say goodbye to the following Pussycats:

Lucky Breaks

 

The Faster Pussycats were the lucky ones in 2010 when Lucky Breaks joined the roster. Right away she was a talented skater, and quickly became one of our top jammers. She'll be remembered for her "Anime Start" position (pictured above), her speed and agression on the track, and her devilish smile. Lucky has retired from skating, but we have a feeling we'll be seeing her often in the Crash Zone with a sassy sign and that devastating smile, screaming her head off for her beloved Pussycats.

Ms. Shell Shockk

 

Shell is one of those skaters that was made in derby heaven. Not only is she a fearsome hitter, due to her competitive figure skating background, she is also light as a gazelle on her feet. She's even been known to rock out a couple of axle flip things at practice between drills. Shell will be skating as a Free Agent for the time being, but we hope to see her back on the roster sooner than later.

Suzy Shameless

If you don't know who Suzy Shameless is, then you don't know the Terminal City Rollergirls. Shameless has been a skater with TCRG since 2007, and has had a major impact on roller derby in British Columbia ever since. Included in her list of accomplishments has been League President, Pussycats captain, coach, and let's face it, ambassador for the sport of roller derby. She's always ready for a media interview, photo shoot or event hosting gig. She's an advocate for body love and inclusion in roller derby, and will tell you so with a cheeky belly message. Not to mention the fact that she's one of the hardest hitters and smartest pivots you'll ever have the privilege to see on skates. Ladies want to be her, little girls look up to her, and despite what the fashion magazines say, the boys (and a few of the ladies) love to love her. Shameless will join Shell on the Free Agents team, and we can't wait until she can once again get back with the 'Cats.

To say we love these ladies is an understatement. We'll miss them on the bench this season, but we won't ever let them go. GATOS POR LA VIDA!

Times they are a-changin'...

Everyone knows that the only thing that remains consistent in this world (especially in roller derby), is change.

We're making some changes in the league this year, and one of them is putting more work into supporting our Terminal City All-Stars. We made a commitment last year to become a WFTDA league, and with that comes a higher level of competition and dedication. That means that some tough decisions had to be made, within the league and within the Faster Pussycats.

It is possible for a TCRG player to be on a house team and the All-Stars, but it's difficult to put in enough time and sweat that it takes to help make both teams cohesive and focused. And we all know that's what it takes to win bouts. So, some of our team leaders and superstars had to bite the bullet, and they made the difficult decision to step down from the Pussycats. For the 2012 season, we say a bittersweet farewell to 8Mean Wheeler, Amazombie, Johnny Qwadd, Mack the Mouth, Mary Queen of Shotz, PLAYER 1 and Sissy Straight-edge.

We cherish the short time we had together, and we wish them tons of love on their journey towards WFTDA West Region domination with the All-Stars. The Pussycats wouldn't be the team we are today if it wasn't for these amazing people. See you at Westerns and LOS GATOS POR LA VIDA!

Hey teams, the Faster Pussycats are looking for some opponents for a couple of home bouts in Vancouver for the 2012 season (March 3 and July 21). They will be comprised of approx 50% Fresh Meat this year, so if your intermediate level team is looking for a super fun, fast and competitive game, with a bonus of unparalleled Vancouver hospitality, get in touch! Email interleague-relations [at]terminalcityrollergirls.com.


Photo by Bob Ayers

Rock N' Roll with the Faster Pussycats!

Have you always wanted to rock out with the 2011 Terminal City Rollergirls league champions? Well, here's your chance!

Get out your tight pants and your power ballads and join us on Friday, November 18 at the legendary Cobalt for some Rock N' Roll Karaoke. Doors open at 7:30pm and rocking starts promptly at 8pm. $10 at the door. There will be a 50/50 draw, door prizes, and prize for the best Rock Star costume!

All proceeds go to help the Pussycats get to Alaska in December to take on their friends the Fairbanks Rollergirls and the Rage City Rollergirls in Anchorage. Yes, you read that right. Alaska in December. Now THAT'S punk rock.

Can't make it to the party, but want to help out anyway? Click on that little yellow button on the right and drop a $10 cover charge (or whatever you can afford) into our Pay Pal account!

Poster design by Pussycats alumni Xanadoozie, aka Rebekah Joy Plett. Check out her other beautiful work here!

Faster Pussycat Spotlight - 8Mean Wheeler

You know those derby players who make your knees tremble and your skates quiver when you see them on the track and you know they are probably going to flatten you out without so much as batting an eyelash? May I introduce...8Mean Wheeler. She is that girl.

Photo credit: Nicolas Charest

Skater name: 8Mean Wheeler

Skater number: 18

Birthday: Nov 22

Position: Pivot/Blammer

How did you get your skater name: Nobody likes trying to pass an 8mean wheeler!

Reason for skater number: 18 wheels (i've got spares).

Why you joined derby: Love at first sight.

How long have you been playing derby: Since 2006.

What is your favourite thing about derby: The athleticism and my team.

Any advice for new derby players: Skate then turn left. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or fall down! Wash your gear-often!! You wouldn't believe how much your elbows can stink, plus it eliminates bacteria which can turn a little scrape into a nasty infection.

Favourite derby moment: TCRG season 5 FPC intro.

Tell us a derby story: 1st round draft pick (2007 and 2010) TCRG All Star Member since 2007. Awarded Canada's Iron Pivot 2010.

Which derby player do you look up to: Fav – Smash'em Moiselle.

Tell us something interesting about yourself not related to derby: I'm a mom of 2 teens.

Faster Pussycat Spotlight - Mack The Mouth

Behind every great roller derby team there is a great coach and every great coach has to have a good set of pipes in him. The Faster Pussycats know it's go time when the coach is crying out from the bench in his husky, strained voice: Kill! Kill!

Photo Credit: Bob Ayers

Derby Name: Mack The Mouth
Birthday: June 9th
Position: Coach
How did you get your derby name: TCRG skaters voted on it when I posted a few options for my derby name in Dec of 2006.
Why did you join derby: Faced with being a derby widow, I jumped in with both feet as league announcer, and instantly fell in love with the sport.
How long have you been in derby: 5 seasons and counting...

What is your favourite thing about derby: The way the sport is currently transforming in play/strategy and it's growing popularity.

Any advice for new derby players: Be patient, don't over think it, work on your core strength outside of the sport.
Favourite derby moment: I will always have 2: Derby De'Mayo (TCRG's first ever bout) May 5th 2007 at the curling rink, and Kerrisdale Arena Sat. April 10, 2010, 2000 plus fans roared as FPC took it's first ever victory lap at home.

Who in derby do you look up to: Announcer - Bob Noxious,

Skater's - Malice with Chains (Windy City retired), 8mean Wheeler (no bias) - two skaters that can dominate the outcome of a game without scoring a point.

Tell us something interesting about yourself not related to derby: I once sailed from Hawaii to San Francisco. There were 4 of us on a 47ft catamaran. 21 days on the water from when we left Hawaii until we landed in San Fran.

The Faster Pussycats VS The Bad Reputations

Thank you to everyone who came to the bout on Saturday! It was a point-for-point battle against the Bad Reputations who challenged our game every step of the way. Thank you for coming out and cheering us on until our ears were ringing. This was our second victory of the season. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

For those who weren't able to attend our game on Saturday, and those who just can't get enough and must see it again, you can check out our intro below.



And you can check out some incredible photos by Nicolas Charest – here.

And remember: don't stop believing.

Faster Pussycat Spotlight - Hydro-Jenna Bomb

You better watch out if you don't want to be part of the debris. H-Bomb is a fierce, determined skater out to make an impact.

Photo by Nicolas Charest

Skater name: Hydro-Jenna Bomb

Skater number: 12Mt

Birthday: Sept. 6

Position: Holding the inside line.

How did you get your name: I wanted something with my real name (Jenna) in it, so I thought of words with a "jen" sound in them. I eventually thought of "hydrogen bomb" and that flowed into Hydro-Jenna Bomb. But everyone calls me H-Bomb.

First Game of the Season - Faster Pussycats VS Public Frenemy

For those of you who couldn't come to our first game of the season, check out the awesome video!




For those of you yearning for more action, come see us play against the 2010 champions the Bad Reputations on April 9th and Kerrisdale Arena. Click here to buy tickets!

2011 Faster Pussycats up close and personal

Here are the 2011 Faster Pussycats (and coaches)! Kill! Kill!




Photos by Todd Holbrook | Dream Theory Studios

Faster Pussycat Spotlight - Amazombie

You don't want to be in the way when Amazombie is coming through the pack – she might just eat your brain! Not only is she agile on skates but she has a hit that is a force to be reckoned with. Watch out for her this season with the FPC and the TCRG's All-Star team.

Photo by Brett Beadle | www.brettbeadle.com

Skater name: Amazombie

Skater number: 00

Birthday: Sept 17

Position: Jammer & Blocker.

How did you come up with your name: I am tall like an Amazon and I like dead things ;)

Why you joined derby: I played football in high school and I missed hitting people.

How long have you been playing derby: This will be my second season.

What is your favourite thing about derby: All the people involved are so diverse, it is a great group of people to interact with.

Any advice for new derby players: When you get on the track don't hesitate, just do it.

Favourite derby moment: When my team yells "Eat her brains" to me – it makes me laugh and gives me a boost to keep going.

Which derby player do you look up to: L.A. Gunns is an all-round wicked player. She is an agile jammer, a hard hitting blocker and a very effective communicator. When she is on the track, you know it.

Tell us something about you that derby folk wouldn't know: Most people don't know that I am an Australian citizen and I know sign language (my parents are deaf).

Faster Pussycat Spotlight - XanaDoozie

XanaDoozie (or, as we all call her "Doozie" or "la dooze" or any ending in "zie") is a nimble player who dances through the pack throwing hits sharp as knives. (XanaDoozie is shown here on the right side of the photo below with her teammate Miss Shell Shockk on the left)

Photo by Delna Dasilma

Skater name: XanaDoozie

Skater number: 61

Birthday: December 7

Position: Part time Jammer & Part time Blocker

How did you get your name: Originally from the poem Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge "In Xanadu did Kublai Khan / A stately Pleasure-Dome decree" because, you know, I'm a Pleasure-Dome.

Reason for skater number: 61 is my husband's hockey number and he picked it because of Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

You joined derby because: A friend of mine was trying out and I tagged along.

How long have you been playing derby: This is my second season.

What is your favourite thing about derby: When the team works as a unit; it's amazing.

Any advice for new derby players: If you get hit down, get up. If you fall down, get up. If you get sandwiched by two huge girls and you're laying on the ground and they are waiting to take you down again, get up.

Favourite derby moment: Winning against Atomic City was pretty neat.

Which derby player(s) do you look up to: Our whole league is full of amazing skaters. I am so honored to be a part of the FPC and each girl on our team has helped me out in some way and so they are all my favourites.

Something interesting about yourself not related to derby: I draw pictures for a living.

Your 2011 Faster Pussycats

We are:
8Mean Wheeler - #18
Amazombie - #00
Andi Struction - #10
Autumn von Rotten - #1031
Hydro-Jenna Bomb - #12Mt
IonA BeerWagon - #6pk
Lucky Breaks - #13
Mary Queen of Shotz - #1587 - Co-captain
Motley Crusade-her - #'81 - rookie
Ms Shell Shockk - #88
PLAYER 1 - #1UP - Captain
Ring'er Bell - #98
Snow Crash - #255 - rookie
Sissy Straight-edge - #2[]
Suzy Shameless - #420
Tight Lacey - #53 - Co-captain
Tiki Timebomb - #3.2.1
Twisty Hurtzmore - #-5
Xanadoozie - #61
Mack the Mouth - Coach
Johnny Qwadd - Coach