When some teams asked us if we could help out on their ‘fresh meat days’ – open days when aspiring new roller derby athletes can come and have a try – we came to the rescue! September is the month when we shrug off our summer partying and take up a new sport for the winter season – a fact that the Milan-based Harpies roller derby team knows well. This prompted them to organise a local sporting initiative where people could try out quad skates, and they asked us for a small supply of skates in various sizes to support the event. The event created much enthusiasm amongst passers-by, who were entertained with small game simulations and stunts, and the bravest among them donned skates and protection to experience the thrill of skating first hand. At first glance, it might appear easy to do quick moves, jumps and slalom between the opposition team’s blocking wall. But once you don the skates it’s a different story, and you quickly realise how strong and well-prepared these girls really are, and the training they’ve put in to perfect their shoulder barges and hip flicks.