The beginning of something wonderful...

Hi, I'm Isobela Lugosi.
I am a skater with North East Roller Derby in Victoria Australia.
I want to share with you all my journey in the world of Roller Derby. Roller Derby blogs seem to come as many, but what's one more to add to the mix? ;)

Another interesting fact about me is that I am also a co-founder of NERD. Before I get into that, I'll go right back to when I first discovered modern Roller Derby in all it's glory.

In 2007 I injured my back at work and endured lots of treatment and financial battles to stay on my feet and achieve many goals I wanted to accomplish. But with being slightly immobile, I fell into a deep depression, gained heaps of weight and nearly gave up all hope. I still kept fighting... If it weren't for my amazing support network I would have given up.

One day sometime in 2008 I was in bed watching Ellen, feeling like a sappy sook loathing the pain I was in. After Ellen finished a documentary started called "Roller Derby Dolls". I was intrigued. The tattoos, the grit, the aggressiveness. It was out there, it was rough, it looked challenging. It had a rockabilly element to it, as well as a bit of punk. And well, it was a sport. I LOVED it!!!!

I was also sad... I didn't think I would ever be able to get a taste of it because my physical condition. I rang my best mate in Melbourne anyway to tell her what I have just seen on tv. The brilliance that is Roller Derby! I was excited to know it existed here as it was an Australian documentary. I gave it hope and said, "When my back gets better we are so going to do this together!!"

As time went on the dream drifted in and out of my head and I went through ongoing treatment for my back... I still loved it, but I still wasn't sure I'd ever get there. Well my back had improved A LOT since 2007 and I wanted to ease into the exercise. Anyway, 3 years later, I had posted a status on my facebook page saying I wanted to work at a cafe and wear roller skates. One of my friends commented and jokingly said we should start a Roller Derby team here in town... It banged around in my head for a good week and I thought, 'why the fuck not?!' I got really pumped about it, rang my friend and said we ARE doing this. I sat up a meeting on January 29th 2011 at my little house in the country after we got an expression of interest of course... I got my mum involved and she helped us get it moving forward. The 3 of us powered through these goals and made NERD a reality!!!

There were many hardships as well as good. I had no idea what I was heading for, but I was so determined and motivated for the first time in my life, other than wanting to be a rock star that is.. I never got there, but now I'm a derby girl! I couldn't be happier. :) Roller Derby was my calling. I was born to do this!! The passion and drive is so powerful yet overwhelming at times. I will forever pursue this dream. I want to be a professional Derby player some day. The sport is hitting the mainstream pretty quick, we'll see what the future holds for the sport becoming as huge as football! I can see it happening. ;)

It's been about 2.5 years since we laced up those skates and started rolling. We've had members come and go, we've had them stick like glue. We have worked our asses off to get where we are now. We have not yet bouted as a team due to low membership. We had an influx here and there, but they always dropped off due to the commitment needed to pursue this. I've heard many say, "if you get 20, you'll probably keep 5." We have had many scrimmages together with other wonderful leagues, and have had lots of fantastic opportunities to better ourselves individually and as a team. In a few months, we will have our debut. It's becoming even more real. What I've been working so hard for, is getting closer by the day. I can't wait, yet at the same time I'm scared as fuck.

I have made some amazing friends through this. I couldn't have asked for a better team, they are truly amazing. They are my family! My sisters! I have gained confidence that I never ever thought would exist in my world. I have lost weight, my back is so much better than ever. I still have bad pain days every now and then, but my core is so strong now it doesn't happen as often as it used to.

I plan to keep writing about my Derby adventures. Whether you read it or not! :)

Until next time,
Rock n' roll!