Fran Grenade

I had never heard of roller derby.. until the summer of 2009 when I was on my way to France to visit friends. I read an article in the in-flight Jet2 magazine about the Leeds Roller Dolls and thought it looked awesome! Even though I hadn't been on roller skates since I was 10, I decided that when I got home I was going to find out more... I went on holiday, came back, and promptly forgot all about it.

Then, in Spring 2010, I was returning from Australia where I had been for my brother's wedding. I watched the film Whip It on the in-flight movies on the way home, and again, thought it looked awesome! I vowed that when I got home I was going to find out more... but an unexpected week stranded in Amsterdam (volcano'd) made me forget all about it.

A couple of months later at a barbecue, a friend of my boyfriend's mentioned that a girl he was working with is a Leeds Roller Doll (it turned out to be Chernobelle!). I recalled the article, the movie, and said I thought it looked awesome! He said he'd get her to send him the details to pass on to me... which arrived in my inbox a couple of days later. By this time, however, I had already been on the internet, found the roller dolls website, emailed recruit@leedsrollerdolls.co.uk, and was signed up for the next newbie intake a few weeks later!

Months later, and I'm wondering why I never did it sooner. It is a great feeling to be part of such an awesome sport and fantastic league! The dolls (and action men!) are one of the most genuine, friendly and hard working groups of people I have ever met.

And, what does the derby future hold for Fran Grenade? WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

Love n Shoves
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