Today I was updating the LOCO website and I just got so proud of what we have done.
It's been a long time since Nia Capps and I sat down at Crabby Joe's and talked about starting a recreational derby league. Seems like forever since I got inspired by Derby Lite and thought, why couldn't we do something like that here? We started LOCO when I was pregnant, and now my kid is almost 18 months old. Such a little idea, and it has grown and grown and grown. Just yesterday I got emails about starting two new LOCO chapters in Ontario. The mail-carrier brought me a copy of a derby magazine from Australia, called Hit & Miss, and there is an article about LOCO Roller Derby.
We've found a way to bring out the best in so many skaters. I knew Vegas from FCDG, but I didn't know what a powerhouse trainer she would turn out to be! She's whipped our group into shape, always makes sure to put challenges in front of us, keeps us motivated -- and never calls us bitches. Leading London's skaters, she is incredible. I'm super impressed by all our VPs - Kole d'Hearted in Brantford, Lemon Zinger in Stratford, and the relentless Pepper Assault of Kitchener.
Who would have thought that in two short years we would have four LOCO chapters, and be holding our first ever LOCO Tournament? On November 19th, the LOCO chapters will face-off in a mixed-roster match, beautiful coined the "Elle Grande" LOCO Tournament. Awesome!
This morning, checking out J-Whoa's new video for Stratford's LOCO chapter, it struck me that we've really started a new movement. LOCO isn't just for Ontario. It's for every derby girl, everywhere. It's the place to skate when you are injured or retired. It's the place to start out when you're too chicken shit to go to your local full-contact practice. It's the place where the biggest fans of the sport can play the sport when they need a low-cost, low-commitment alternative. It's a place for volunteers to rally behind their home teams and cheer them on to the championships.
This January, LOCO Ontario is launching its new administrative structure and master manual for all the chapters. We're finally going to have a totally coherent system from which to grow. Who knows what the future holds, but right now, we're just getting bigger and bigger!
I am so proud of my LOCO ladies, and I can't wait to celebrate at our second annual Rollerball--to not only celebrate the accomplishments of LOCO skaters in London, but to celebrate the movement we gave birth to here in our little city in Southwestern Ontario.
#occupyrollerderby
