Derby name:Sweet Alyce
Real Name:
Shelly McFarland
Number:
3.14
Derby name:
Sweet Alyce
Real Name:
Shelly McFarland
Number:
3.14
How did you come up with your name and number?
Alice with an "i" blogspot was taken so I chose Alyce with a "y". The number * Pi or π is a mathematical constant whose value is the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter in Euclidean space; this is the same value as the ratio of a circle's area to the square of its radius. Making my name Sweet Alyce Pie.
What made you first start roller derby, or how did you discover roller derby?
When I was growing up, my Nona liked to watch Big Time Wrestling and The San Francisco Bay Bombers Roller Derby when she stayed with us. It's always looked like a fun sport to me, and I used to imagine doing it when I got older. By the time I was older though, roller derby was no where to be seen, and I'd moved on to wanting to become the monkey trainer at Marine World by then. I learned to skate from my neighborhood friends when I was in the 1st grade. Skip to February 2009 and my co-worker brought in a flyer recruiting roller derby girls for this newly forming league in Sonora. I nearly jumped out of my skin with happiness.
Why do you love roller derby so much?
Now that I've been with the league for about nine months, I have to say it's number 1: the skating-I love the feeling of skating, number 2: the strong, funny and awesomely remarkable women I've met, and number 3: the strategy of manuevering through the pack.
How many hours per week do you practice?
No where near as much as a lot of leagues do. We schedule six hours per week, I can almost always make 4 and sometimes 6. Other leagues practice up to 20 hours per week. We'd be way too cool for school if we practiced that much.
What is your favorite drill?
The snake drill; which for us is lining up and the back person weaves in an out of the skaters. The faster we go the cooler it looks and feels.
What is the most challenging part of roller derby?
Ah, that would be my knees. So far they seem to be the first body parts that are being damaged from derby. The challenge is practicing enough without hurting them more.
What are your non-derby hobbies?
Not exactly hobbies, but I take care of feral cats for Sonora Cat Rescue, I go to school, and I work at the Public Library full-time.
What’s your favorite piece of your roller derby wardrobe?
Our new plaid skirts.
How does your derby alter ego differ from your everyday persona?
Hmm..well Sweet Alyce the skater is not as confident as Shelly the Computer Technician.
What is a common misconception about roller derby?
That sexy and sporty are not compatible. It's a both/and situation. I mean look at Dwight Clark from the former Super Bowl champion 49ers...was he not HOT?!
What’s your favorite roller derby web site?
My blog, Sweet Alyce, which chronicles my practices and experiences in roller derby. I also like all the sites that other skaters do that are similar. And for watching live bouts I love Derby News Network's justin.tv channel, it's way cool to chat and learn from other roller derby people there.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about joining roller derby?
Buy the best equipment you can. Be sure your knee pads are padded on the sides as well as the front. Also, I would say, be honest, don't gossip, don't make fun of anyone, basically, don't be a b**ch. If you get upset with someone, tell them, not everyone else, just them. Oh, and one more thing, encourage your team mates. Notice when they make improvements and focus on those. High-praise makes for a happier and more confident team mate.
*from: wikipedia
Music: Psychedelik Killas, Roller Derby Queen