Tag Archives: fundamentals

Skater Spotlight: Erin “Luna Shovegood” Howard

In honor of our semi-annual Recruitment Week, this month’s skater spotlight highlights a very recent graduate of our Fundamentals Program, and very recent addition to the league who is fitting in juuust fine.


shovey_headshot
Name:
Luna Shovegood
Number:  31
Team: Damage, Inc.
Member of OCRD since: January 2015

Give us a quick ‘n dirty rundown of who you are:

By day, I’m a Life Claims Administrator for Alberta Blue Cross (yeah, it’s as depressing as you’d think). I’ve got a pretty bad potty mouth, so I could never move to Taber. I’m fiercely loyal to those I love and will fight to the death for them. I’m also an opera singer! I’ve got a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance, which, in an ideal world, I would be getting paid for. But until that day, you’ll have to catch me singing the anthem at our next bout!

Is there a story behind your name/number?

I’m a HUGE Harry Potter nerd. Like for real. When I was 11, I prayed every night all summer prior to grade 7 (when Muggle-born witches and wizards would receive their letter) that I would get my Admission Letter for Hogwarts. When I didn’t, I cried myself to sleep for weeks. And my first day of Muggle junior high was the most dreaded day of my life. My parents had to buy me a rabbit so I would stop crying. It was a legitimate problem, and I bet my parents seriously considered psychiatric help from professionals. I’ve read the first 5 books 31 times each and the last two 9 times (who has time to catch up like that, amirite?).

But back to the real question…I always loved Luna Lovegood. She doesn’t give a crap about what people think about her. She’s badass, and doesn’t get enough credit for being so. Soooo basically, Luna Shovegood just felt right. And 31 is the day of Harry Potter’s birthday. Which is in July, in case you were wondering (I’m sure you were…don’t lie).

How, when, and why did you get started in roller derby?

I have NEVER been athletic (seriously, the only goal I ever scored in 10 years of soccer was on my own net), I always preferred being on stage to sports. But I needed exercise, and I wanted to make new friends. So I looked into roller derby. I hemmed and hawed for about a year, and finally, when the monotony of my life really started getting to me, I completed my Fresh Meat program with another all-women’s league in November of 2014 and started with OCRD in January! So be gentle with me, I’m still new! (Just kidding…you can hit me! I’m not afraid!)

Why did you pick OCRD for your league?

When I started my Fresh Meat I didn’t have full gear because it was held up at customs and got sent back two or three times before it came in. I was friended on Facebook by Badger Badger, who without even knowing me offered to lend me gear just to get me rolling. She seriously didn’t even shake my hand before she left a bag full of gear on her front steps for me to take…and trusted that I wouldn’t steal it!

I didn’t even know that there was more than one derby league in Edmonton, but I knew in my heart that if someone from another league was willing to help me out so much, I wanted to be a part of that league. So I made the switch, and I’m seriously the happiest girl in the world for it!

Luna doing some A+ blocking at our recent Francey Pants guest coaching session.  Photo (c) Ruby Rocket
Shovey doing some A+ blocking at our recent Francey Pants guest coaching session. Photo (c) Ruby Rocket

What is your best derby memory?

My best derby memory is easy. I had bussed from work to practice, and upon arrival, I discovered that I hadn’t brought pants. I was wearing a VERY office-appropriate dress that wasn’t really derby-practice material (no pun intended). As soon as I realized I forgot pants, Motor Vader literally took her shorts off of her body and gave them to me to wear. She didn’t even hesitate. It was that moment I realized that OCRD isn’t just a league, it’s a family. And I’ll never forget that feeling.

Any plans or goals for your future in roller derby?

My plans are simple. To skate until the day I can’t anymore.

My goals are simple too. I’d die if I got drafted to the GI Janes when I benchmark (the first bout I ever went to was a Janes match, and from the first jam I loved them all), but as long as I continue to learn more about derby and myself, I’ll be the happiest camper and cow bell-ringer at every bout.

Anything else you’d like to say?

If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Self, I think roller derby would be fun!” you should just do it. Seriously. It may seem intimidating, but the people that are a part of Oil City Roller Derby will make you feel like family on your first practice. Then the skills will fall into place, and you’ll quickly become the bad ass you’ve always wanted to be. If you’re concerned that you’re not fit enough to join, that doesn’t matter either! You will be in NO time!


Well, you heard her!  There’s still time to come on out and give it a shot.  We’ll see you all on March 19!