Ann Thwacks – you are our skater of the month!!!

Congratulations on being our skater of the month – how do you feel about this amazing accolade?
Oh my god!! It feels pretty good 🙂 although I think all the dollies should be skater of the month every month!!

What are you doing right now?
I am very busy working! Or in other words hiding from my boss while I do nothing!

Ann Thwacks playing Seaside Sirens – Photo credit Rebecca Cornford

You have powered your way onto that A team and quickly become a key blocker in the rotation; what advice can you give to anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
You can do anything you put your mind too! If you told me even 3 months ago this is where I would be now. I would never have believed you.
Hard work, loads of support from some pretty great people and quite importantly relaxing about it. Theres no need to stress everyone learns and picks things up in their own time so if you want something bad enough you will get it in the end. Whether it takes a week or a year 🙂

Who are you most terrified of meeting on the track – anyone?
When I first started derby I would have said Kaztration, she is on you all the time and still gets me unawares sometimes. But now I am honestly not scared of meeting anyone on track! Bring it on!!!

When you are not being a roller derby super hero what do you do in your real life?
I dont do a lot really. Working parttime, at home with the little bird and spending my days off in the gym 🙂

Had you ever done sports before you took up roller derby?
Up until I had my daughter I was very active, I swam 4 nights a week and ran fun runs. I played for my schools football and rounders teams.

If you can tell someone new to derby just 3 things – what would they be?
1. Keep a diary! I really wish i had done this!
2. Get involved! You know your strengths, join a team and get helping your league.
3. Warn your family and friends that they may not see as much of you from now on 🙂

If you could pick any song you wanted just for you for your skate out what would it be?
Not just for me but the song tht reminds me of the Dollies the most has to be ‘Hold on, I’m Coming’ by Sam and Dave! That was a special silent karaoke moment 🙂 and it just makes me smile every time i hear it

What is your most favourite roller derby moment so far?
It has to be when we played seaside sirens. Even though we lost (narrowly) and I ended up off skates for 6 weeks with a major concussion! It was my first A-team bout and I felt like I belonged there and it was a frickin amazing game!!! And the bus journey home with the crash test brummies was pretty fun too 🙂

What Derby plans do you have for the future?
Just to keep doing what I’m doing, keep improving, working on new skills and getting buff!

Thank you for your time and for this interview, we hope it will inspire Thwack’s all over the country to become as awesome as YOU!