meet Our Committee

SHE/HER

One of our longest serving members, there aren’t many roles at Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby that Sarah hasn’t taken on. A bouting level skater, she is a talented blocker and jammer combo - making her a fierce competitor on the track. Off the track she has contributed her energy, talent and hours to everything from graphic design, treasury, coaching and possibly most notably, the development of our AMAZING Skate Fit Program curriculum. Sarah’s leadership has directly resulted in a near tripling of our members through this program.

From Sarah: “I started skating in 2012 and have been on the committee since 2013. I've loved helping build our club to where it's at today, and I am looking forward to competing more as a bouting skater now that our shed has a safe kids space! I love meeting new people and welcoming them to our GRRD family!”

SHE/HER/they

Lisa (aka Tenacious Rex / Rexy) started with Bendigo’s Dragon City Roller Derby club in their Learn to Skate program in 2018, as a way to get fit doing something she’d enjoyed as a kid. She was adamant she’d never play derby! By mid-year, she was regularly attending derby training and a total convert.

Apart from training and supporting new members to build their understanding of derby, she’s contributed as an NSO both in Victoria and at TGSS and refereed home games and scrims.

In May 2023 Lisa moved to Gippsland, having connected with GRRD even before she left Bendigo. She passed her Red Star assessment at her first training session.

Rather than bouting, Lisa is building her fitness, agility and ‘derby brain’ to be a skating official / referee. She still loves contact drills during training, though!

“I started roller derby training at the age of 50, having avoided any sport or physical exercise beyond walking since I could voluntarily get out of it at school. I’m a living example that it’s never too late – I believe I’m stronger and fitter in my 50s than I was in my 20s! I love how genuinely inclusive roller derby is – it not only welcomes, it actively celebrates diversity in bodies, brains and identities. It’s a place I call home.”

SHE/her

Belinda aka Blizzard dug out her Mum's 35-year-old, oversized skates and soon realised she needed to learn to stop. Joining the Skate Fit program in term 4 2021 was the beginning of an amazing yet unexpected adventure. Her daughter Abalanche joined her in Term 1 then the Derby journey began 2022, Term 2 2022. They're expecting to meet their target of Full Contact in September 2023. She can also be seen on the side of the track as a NSO (Non Skating Official) at games, there really is a job for anyone who wants to get involved.

Belinda has stepped up as a trainer in Meeniyan wanting to continue the legacy of a wonderful, welcoming and supportive space for people to come and develop together. "It's hard to put into words, but I always go home with a smile on my face, skating is freeing and being surrounded by fantastic people excited by each other’s achievements is invigorating - I love it." Being in the 45+ age zone, she'd like to remind people you're never too old to learn new tricks, and you'll never know if you don't have a go.

SHE/HER

Maddi or “Splat” started SkateFit in November 2020 as a little 15 year old. She started just for a source of fitness and something to do, not thinking about roller derby at all. But alas, got her white star June 2021 and joined league later on in August 2022. She progressed through the stars and became a bouting skater May 2023. Since then she’s taken on the role of a SkateFit trainer and now a member of the committee.
“This club is truly so welcoming and supportive of everything I’ve put myself to and I can’t wait for what the future brings.”

SHE/HER

SHE/HER

I started skate fit on its debut night back in October 2018. On that night, my love for roller skating as a kid was reignited. The fun, the feeling of been free and not being a mum, wife etc for 2hrs a week, the bonus was the great group of people just made it so much better.

From then on I have attended almost every night, even attended during covid via zoom.

Then in June 2021 I passed my white star assessment to prove to myself how far my skating had come. Fast-forward to April 2022, and I passed my yellow (now red) star and had done training to become a skate fit trainer, since then I haven’t looked back.

2023 I joined the league players by been a bench manager, helping with NSO (non skating official) roles at scrims-bouts (games) all while still being a skate fit trainer, and now skate fit coordinator.

2024/25 will be my second and final year as skatefit coordinator and I hope to make everyone participating in skate fit have a fun and enjoyable time while learning new skills.

SHE/HER

Kacey began Skate Fit in term 1 2020, after seeing a post about the grand opening of the Traralgon Shed. After the June 2021 floods, Kacey worked closely with the committee to help the recovery effort, joining the committee shortly after as the OH&S Coordinator.

Kacey debuted as a full bouting skater at The Great Southern Slam 2024 and loves any chance to get on track as a jammer to weave through the teams!

Kacey has returned for a second year as the Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby Treasurer.

**Communications Coordinator**

Sarah Paynter

SHE/HER

With so many Sarah’s in the GRRD skating family, this skater adopted the name nickname ‘Rah’ from the moment she put on a helmet and started her skating journey.

Joining Skate Fit in 2022 with little more than a bit of teenage ice skating to aid her coordination, it wasn't long after that she added a white, yellow and amber star to her helmet, as well as taking to the centre of the track with a camera in hand.

Combining a love of photography and an education in communications and digital marketing, Rah delights in capturing and sharing the laughs, falls and all the special moments that make skating such a unique sport.

he/they

Dean first became interested in roller derby after attending the annual pride cup in 2022.

Wanting more engagement in LGBTQIA+ welcoming spaces, he decided to join Skate Fit and after a year of hard work and determination gained his white star, as well as the MVP award for the Churchill Skate Fit program.

Grateful for the love and support of the Gippsland Rangers, Dean wanted to give back to the club that had given him so much, becoming a general member of the committee in 2024.

Dean hopes he can help continue spreading the love of the Gippsland Rangers to other gender diverse and queer people looking for a safe and warm space to belong and grow.

SHE/HER/they

I started my roller-derby journey in 2012 with Latrobe City Roller Derby, gaining my Green star and bouting from August 2013.

I looked after a few committee roles, including Vice President and President, went on hiatus in 2015 and finally returned in November 2021.

My journey returning to skating has been one of re-discovery in and of myself and the sport that I am truly passionate about.

I've returned to GRRD with a renewed passion, and have loved catching up with the evolution of the game through my time away.

I have spent almost 2 years as a skate-fit coach, and spent a year been a League coordinator role.

I'm looking forward to hopefully being able to make a positive impact on the future of our league and the sport in our region