We're putting the skates back on for Episode number five and talk about how it was starting as a young official in a newly formed league in the Netherlands, why officiating isn't for everyone and why tone matters, even when you are right.

My guest shares why sometimes taking a step back from Derby can actually keep you in the sport, but why not coming back never was an option.

Why should official timeouts be taken very carefully and as few as possible? And when do we fully understand a rule?

These and other questions I try to answer together with my guest for this Episode.

And for a change of perspective, I wanted to get a skater's view on derby officiating. After all, officials are there to facilitate their game and on a perfect game day, nobody will notice us. But what can we do to foster and grow the relationship between skaters and officials and help them understand the decisions we make?

And have I just signed up to play my first ever Derby game?Just one way to find out!

So get your initiation, action and outcome ready!  

Welcome to the Official Review, Pikante!

For many of us, Roller Derby is more than just a sport. It gives us an accepting community where we can grow, provides us with the chance to travel and generates memories to last for a lifetime. 

But what if either an injury or a global pandemic threatens to take that away and all you can think is "Oh shit, I am going to lose Roller Derby now!"? That is exactly what my guest and I talk about in this episode!

We also discuss receiving feedback as a growing official and how important it is that the receiver is in the right state of mind to hear it.

So get your initiation, action and outcome ready!

Welcome to the Official Review, Doctor What / Assguardian!

With over 10 years of experience, Dublin Roller Derby's Referee Shref shares what it was like to start officiating when there was no casebook and almost no online resources available, and how he officiated his first game with just a "vague understanding of the rules".

We also share our recipe for staying in this sport for so long and why you should not change your breakfast routines on game days. After all, the only breakfast for champions is feedback.

So get your initiation, action and outcome ready!  

Welcome to the Official Review, Shref!