Three rounds of assessments took place at tryouts: During the first round, the panel evaluated the skaters’ basic skating skills, such as the ability to skate clockwise and counter clockwise, and to glide on one foot. During the second round, the panel evaluated the skaters’ abilities to perform T-stops, plow stops, rolling squats, two-knee falls, and cone weaving. Individual interviews concluded the second round. During the third round, the panel evaluated the skaters for more advanced skills, such jump turns, and a hip checks to blocking pads.

Fresh meat training is an intensive 3-½ month program that starts with basic skills and ends with the ability to play women's flat track roller derby. Practices are two hours long, three times a week. The fresh meat are required to make 75% of the total practices to complete the program.

Above: Fresh Meat await instructions from the training panel.

Those fresh meat that complete the program and pass the necessary evaluations will be drafted on to a Philly Roller Girl home team in mid-March 2012. Therefore, by the time the next home season kicks off in April 2012, the graduated fresh meat will be placed on one of the three home teams, the Broad Street Butchers, Heavy Metal Hookers, or Philthy Britches.

Philly Roller Girls are thrilled to bring in new fresh meat! We hope for, and will work hard for, their continued women's flat track roller derby success.

By Persephone

Photos: Diana Prints