The Golden Skate.. another NZ icon?

Over 4000 images later and we are now coming to the end of our editing for the National Roller Derby Tournament. What a mammoth effort. The best part has been going through all the images and reliving the day. And there are some real surprise images that I didn't realise I had captured on the day.
 

Peek-A-Boo

Tonight we compile all the images from the 4 of us that were there to cover the event. This will fill in any bouts that I had missed. I really wish I had been able to cover every single game, but that was simply not possible. Don't get me wrong, the other 3 photographers did a fabulous job as well, I think I just want to be everywhere and do everything!

The comments on all the images on FaceBook have been great. In this era of instant gratification it would now be so hard to go back to waiting for images to be developed, processed and then distributed!

The debrief from the Tournament has been held and once again the feedback has been incredible. There are a few things that will change next year, but in all it was a huge success.

Looking forward to next years Tournament and I am already feeing tired. One proposal is to have it over 2 days to allow more teams to participate. Great idea. Even better if teams bring their own photographers. With an event that size I will only be able to cover the Swamp City Roller Rat games. I am not complaining though. Looking at all the image I have taken I have noticed that although I have captured a lot of the play, I haven't captured the feeling of the Tournament itself. I have a few great images of emotions, but this is what I want to show more of.

The crowds at the Tournament were not large and that is something I would love to see grow next year. Thinking cap is on... how do we attract more people to the large Derby events? It didn't help that the final at the Tournament went over nearly 2 hours due to time outs and game stopping. I didn't think that 'winning at all costs' was a part of the New Zealand phychi, and I hope next year will see the golden skate won without bad sportsmanship from either the teams or the crowds (that's all, had my little rant now).

As to the trophy itself, there couldn't be a more appropriate trophy. I understand a huge amount of work went into this and it looks brilliant. I can just see it being another NZ iconic symbol... the Ranfurly Shield... the Golden Skate...

Rick and I went and watched a game of Derby the other day. We didn't take any cameras with us, but just sat and watched. It is incredible how much of the game you miss when looking through the lens. To make the day even better we had Miss Ire (brilliant ref), Soul Jah and Jypsii Whips there to answer all those questions I have always been meaning to ask. I understand so much more about the game now, and that means I can focus on those parts of the game that mean more to the skaters.

Next game is on the 15th September. The poster looks fabulous, and crowds are being encouraged to dress up. A photographers dream! It will be a double header so the half time photos should be hillarious (hmm, wonder if I should offer a prize for best costume?).

Looking forward, I am planning to have an exhibition next year of (surprise, surprise) derby images. Will keep you posted on how the planning is going...