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Eat pizza and support your local roller derby November 29

November 23, 2011
Health & Wellness, Lifestyle
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Whistler Roller Girls Society Fundraiser Nov. 29

A roller derby girl could be your girlfriend. She could be your mom. A roller derby girl could be the nurse patching you up at the clinic or driving you home in the wee hours of the night. Derby girls are all around you – and you may not even know it.

The Whistler Roller Girls Society – as diverse as we all are – have become good friends. We’ve bonded over a common interest. But it’s so much more. There is a new, alternative sisterhood in Whistler. A sorority – but with hitting and high fives; bloody noses and a few twisted body parts.

Whistler Roller Girls Society

We’ve enjoyed getting to know the community and having you get to know us. We thank you for coming along for the ride as we grow as a team and a league. And what a ride it has been so far:

We have a new website. Thanks to the hard work of local ski instructor, Whistler Web Shop owner Suzie Black AKA “Guns,” we were able to get our online presence up and running. Here you’ll find info about roller derby, the Whistler team, events and news. So, be sure to tune in and connect with us. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

We have a new coach. After searching high and low for someone who could wrangle this group of women, Pemberton’s own Bill Sirota stepped up to the plate to help us get into tip top shape. Bill AKA “Coach Kill Bill” has a background coaching women’s volleyball and an aptitude for all skating sports. He’s been great for us so far and we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.

Whistler Roller Girls Society

We have a consistent venue. Again, Pemberton has been kind enough to offer up its Old Community Centre as a regular place for us to train. In addition, the lovely Sea to Sky Sirens from Squamish were kind enough to take our team under their wing and offer up some training sessions in their home – an uber cool, spacious warehouse near the Home Depot.

Whistler Roller Girls Society

And finally, we’re hosting our first fundraiser at Creekbread restaurant on November 29 from 5-9pm. The event features live music by fatymagee and Susan Holden and a raffle and 50/50 draw with great prizes from Big Sky Golf Club, Nesters Market, Hempire and Nagomi Sushi. Simply eating pizza will help the team as part proceeds from every pizza sold will go towards team uniforms, training equipment and our venue.

We’re ever so close to our skills test in February and once we can pass that, we’ll be well on our way to reaching our goal of competing in our first bout this spring.

So, support your local roller derby and we will bring this town one heck of a good spectator sport. And while you’re in the supportive spirit, help vote Roller Derby voted best Indoor Sport in the Pique’s BEST OF WHISTLER!

Getting to know the Betties

October 19, 2011
Health & Wellness, Lifestyle
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The Whistler Roller Girls Society is working hard to bring the sport of roller derby to Whistler. A lot has happened to our little league since the last update and I know you’re just dying to find out what’s new. Here’s a quick rundown:

We changed our name to Black Diamond Betties
After some thought, the team chose a new name that better represented our ski town and also played up on the Roller Derby theme. We’re eagerly awaiting our new logo and website, but for now, you can “Like” the official Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter @DiamondBetties.

We helped open Big Al’s Car Wash in Pemberton

Photo: Brigit Sirota-Goldammer

We’re still looking for somewhere to train in Whistler
The old Pemberton Community Centre has been kind enough to allow the Betties to train in their gym once per week. Boy is it ever amazing to skate at a clean, warm indoor facility. However we’re still in search of a venue closer to home, especially during the winter months. The closer we are to Whistler, the more practices we can have and the faster we can prepare for world domination – or at least roller derby competition.

Thank you Pemberton!

We’re looking for a coach
The Betties are doing a pretty good job of keeping ourselves on track, with several team members stepping in to help lead practice each week, using skills and drills learned from the Raw Meat drop-in sessions in Vancouver. But, to amp up our game we really need someone to help take the reigns. This is a great volunteer opportunity to be part of one of the fastest growing women’s sports out there. If you or anyone you know has a coaching and/or ice skating background with a keen interest in roller derby, please get in touch with our teammate Claire Leitch.

The Whistler Roller Girls have certainly overcome many obstacles since we first organized last June. Forming a league isn’t a cake walk, but this dedicated group of ladies is up for the challenge.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in roller derby action, the Blood and Thunder Roller Derby World Cup takes place in Toronto this December. Team Canada features 2 players from the Terminal City Roller Girls in Vancouver: Eight Mean Wheeler and Luludemon. This is an amazing opportunity to get to know the sport so you’re dialed when the Whistler Roller Girls begin bouting in 2012.

Until the next update, don’t forget to “Reach out and ‘whip’ someone.” If you didn’t catch the innuendo, then you definitely need to watch the movie “Whip It.”

Whistler’s World, According to Twitter

October 10, 2011
Lifestyle, Social Media
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Sometimes, we can get all wrapped up in our own hectic lives that we forget to stop and think about what others are doing; or more importantly, HOW they’re doing.

As some of you know, I use social media for a living. One of my favourite parts about social media is that it’s opened up the lines of communication. We can now put our keypad on the pulse of our community, our nation, or even the world. Some may call this voyeuristic, but I call it the modern way of “getting to know your neighbour.”

So, I thought I’d use my mad Twitter skills to bring you Whistler’s world over the last few days. Whenever I cruise my “Whistler Tweeps” Twitter list, I’m amazed by the diversity in this community. From the comedians to artsy types; from pro athletes to bar stars; hippies to dirtbags, we pretty much have all walks of life. Whistler is a thriving community, pulsing with little slices of life, nearly 24/7.

Here’s a snapshot from a moment in time…in Whistler, according to Twitter.

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