This month we have a very special Skater of the Month. Team Zebra works hard making sure the game is played within the rules. The St. Louis GateKeepers are a rowdy bunch so they need more controlling than most and that is where Team Zebra steps in and takes control. The lawbringers to a lawless track, Team Zebra acts swift and with impunity, doling out penalties to the guilty. I present to you, Team Zebra!

Rockity Roller is the ringleader. Rockity initially was a Jeerleader for the Arch Rival Roller Girls, but began reffing in 2006. With the support and training from her ref mentors, FoJammi and Sleaze McQueen she eventually became Head Ref of ARRG and still refs for ARRG today. She has been Head Referee for the GateKeepers since their inception in 2009. Rockity is also the MRDA Officiating Committee rep for the South Central region.

Blueberry has been involved in Roller Derby for about five years now. She began as a Jeerleader for the Arch Rival Roller Girls and became involved with the GateKeepers shortly after they formed. She has been a skating official for all three Turf Wars seasons. Blueberry is also on of the MRDA League Reps for the GateKeepers and is a member of the MRDA Member Relations Committee.

Hi Ref started as an NSO with the Arch Rival Roller Girls and eventually took over as Head NSO and bout director. He began skating when the GateKeepers formed due to the fact that many of the ARRG skaters at the time ended up joining the GateKeepers and would not have time to ref for ARRG anymore. Soon, as more refs retired he began to focus more on reffing than NSOing and eventually became a regular member of the ARRG ref crew. Naturally, he came over to the GateKeepers to help out as well. Hi Ref does still do some NSOing at the national level at many of the WFTDA tournaments that take place throughout the year.

Rumbledore has been with the GateKeepers for a couple years now. She has worked her tail off to become a better skater and last year joined the Arch Rival Roller Girls where she was drafted by the Rebel Skate Alliance local team and also plays regularly for the Saint Lunachix Travel Team and is on the Charter for the Arch Rival Roller Girls All-Star Travel Team.

Kid J began with the GateKeepers a little over two years ago as an NSO. Eventually she came to the realization that the GateKeepers needed more skating refs and this year has laced up the skates and taken on the challenge of becoming a skating referee.

Ninja Sass’em is our newest skating referee. A player with the Saint Chux Derby Chix since 2009, Ninja got involved with reffing for the St. Louis GateKeepers when her husband (Spin Diesel) joined the team in late 2012.

Road Reyj originally got into derby because of her daughter (Springfield Rollergirl Tupac Shank-her). She initially wanted to play, but after breaking an elbow and severely injuring a knee at open skate, she decided playing wasn’t for her. Lucky for us she still wanted to be involved and a position as a referee was right up her alley.

Normally I ask the Skater of the month ten questions, but this is a bit different so the questions are a bit different as well. I asked the ladies seven questions and below you will find what I thought were the most insightful or entertaining answers:

Best thing about reffing?

Helping the guys clean up their penalties and helping newer guys understand the rules and strategies. - Blueberry

I tell people that I do this because I feel that I am on the ground floor of something that is big. Which has become true…derby now is bigger than when I started. Another great thing is the challenge of it. It is hard to officiate derby but not so hard that one cannot do it. It is the perfect balance of easy to pick up and challenge to be better. - Hi Refinition

Seeing new refs whom I have trained come in to their own & excel! - Rockity Roller

What is the worst thing about being a ref?

The time, eneergy and money that one really needs to put into it to be good. The stress that is put on one. The demand the skaters place on officials is great. Officials are expected to be 100%…PERFECT…see all and call it all. That is the goal that cannot be achieved even at the highest level. - Hi Refinition

The worst thing about being a ref is getting the stank eye from your friends (because most skaters are my friend) when you call them off on a penalty. Some KNOW they did it and don’t protest. Some doth protest too much. - Ninja Sass’em

When you know you just missed something. - Blueberry

What is the most challenging thing about being a ref?

Keeping up with rule changes and rule interpretations. You might think you know something and then WFTDA/MRDA comes out with a rules clarification that changes things. - Ninja Sass’em

Trying to take emotions out. - Rockity Roller

Learning every day and remembering. Keeping a derby face ALL the time. - Roed Reyj

What is your Pre-bout ritual?

MCDONALDS!!! Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese! :) - Blueberry

Make sure that I have my uniform and all my gear. Eat a big breakfast, have Jimmy John’s for lunch. Drink a ton of water and listen to Rage Against the Machine. - Ninja Sass’em

Night before: study rules & clarifications. Day of: Hydrate, tasty noms & a mini-adventure somewhere. - Rockity Roller

What is your favorite thing to do outside of derby?

Read. I am a voracious reader. - Ninja Sass’em

Dancing! - Roed Reyj

Sex…good sex is just awesome! Second, I love watching movies or playing video games. - Hi Refinition

What is your favorite food?

Tacos. - Rockity Roller

OMG! All of it! - Roed Reyj

Hummus. - Blueberry

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Gene Hackman…I think he is old enough to pull it off. - Hi Refinition

Jennifer Lawrence, if she were hotter. - Rockity Roller

I have no clue! Cobie Smulders? Sarah Michelle Gellar? Dianna Agron? - Ninja Sass’em

The GateKeepers have been lucky to have the services of the many refs that currently ref and those that have come and gone. We also have a great community in the fact that we get refs from many miles away that selflessly devote their time and energy to help when needed. Thanks to all of you who have helped make the GateKeepers the World Class organization that they are today. We all love the sport of Roller Derby and with these referees (and NSOs and other volunteers) we would not be able to give the fans the sport they love!

Thank you TEAM ZEBRA!

June 15th the Turf Wars continue with the final bout of the regular season! The South Grand Slammers take on the RiverFront Crimes in a bout to see who will face the Dogtown Rockets in the Championship match!

June 29th the GateKeepers Travel Team will be in action as they take on the visiting #4 ranked Magic City Misfits from Orlando Florida! This is a special double header with the Arch Rival Roller Girls as the Arch Rival Roller Girls All-Stars will be taking on the Jacksonville Roller Girls in a first ever macth-up between these two teams!

See you at the bouts!

Star-Spangled Hammer

Star-Spangled Hammer and Magilla Guerilla are the announcers for the St. Louis GateKeepers!