Set for its 15th season in 2022, Adelaide Roller Derby (ADRD) returns at the end of April for another year of empowering individuals, building community and creating positive change.
The 2022 season rolls on with a special double header featuring all 4 ADRD teams at Adelaide Showground on 30 April.The four-time defending champs, Mile Die Club will clash with their heated rivals Road Train Rollers who are intent on wrestling the ADRD championship from the MDC crew. Expect an intense grudge match.
Not to be forgotten, the Wild Hearses will battle Salties with both squads looking for an early season win to build momentum.
Returning to the commentary's box will be the quick-witted MCs Lil' Commie Bastards.
A safe space for the LGBT+ community, Adelaide Roller Derby is a great way to spend an afternoon and evening with a family-friendly atmosphere, alongside the fierce competition on the track.
Here, we profile Salties team member Blue Wrenegade.
Who is Blue Wrenegade... I've been playing roller derby for 12 years now. Hard to believe! I've always played for the Salties, but also play for the league's representative/ travel squad, and I even had a brief stint on Team Australia many a year ago.
My role... Jammer, blocker or pivot.
My first roller derby bout was... Embarrassing probably! I remember skating around in a circle a lot, falling on my butt often. Possibly softly nudging a few people off track. It was such a different sport back then, but boy did we have some fun!
When did you settle on your roller derby name? My favourite bird is the blue wren. It is the spirit animal of both my mum and myself. My mum passed away the year before derby started, so I thought I would honour her memory in that way.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be the team's spokesperson? The Salties have this rockin' song that we love to dance to called 'I'm Shipping Up To Boston' by the Dropkick Murphys. I feel like this band could represent us with their brutal strength, tenacity and sense of fun.
My favourite app at the moment is... The ABC Listen app. They have free audiobooks and some amazing bird song, beach and forest sound sleep playlists that help me to drift off. I have quite a stressful day job, so it's really good to help me unwind.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? I'd invite the Philistine, a Salties teammate who is on maternity leave at the moment. She's such a great conversationalist and always has a good story to get you laughing.
The second person would be Ash Barty. I don't follow tennis much, but I love sports and this lady is an absolute inspiration to all. The third person would be my great mate Meges. She lives on K'Gari in Queensland, is a park ranger and I haven't seen her in waaaaay too long.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? My partner makes awesome sourdough bread, so we might have some of that to start with, followed by a roast chicken with veggies and the most delicious chocolate self-saucing pudding you ever did eat.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Ummm LOVER! We have two Maltese-shih tzu dogs: Digger and Tilly who are our besties. In addition we have five heritage-breed chickens who keep us in eggs and clean-up our food scraps.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? It has to be cleaning the bathroom. What a drag! Hairballs, mould, getting wet while cleaning? Not a fan.
Do you have any phobias? Not a true phobia, but I'm really not a huge fan of huntsmen spiders. I want to like them as they eat insects and they don't hurt people, but they are really fast and hairy, and just plain ol' creepy looking.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? It depends on what it would be about, but if it was travel-based ('Amazing Race'), or pets ('The Dog House Australia') or a craft show ('Making It'), I'd be peachy keen!
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I pretty much dislike all forms of prank. I think they almost always make people feel a bit down or silly. Not my kind of humour.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I'm very energetic and tend to be able to go-go-go on and off track for longer than most. Soooo maybe Speedy Gonzales? Lol.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Rosehaven' from ABC. Such a sweet and funny, heartfelt show. I think I'll watch it many times over my life.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... This week! I love working out. I do strength classes, mostly weights and strength.
Social media is... The scourge of society? Hah, not really but as a school teacher, I see so many problems caused by it and not many great things. It's good for catching up with old friends, and having groups but apart from that.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Well, I won't share that in a publication, but something semi-embarrassing and mostly funny was the first time that I went to the skate park with some derby mates (Killa and Fury).
I gained confidence pretty quickly and my friend was showing me how to drop-in to the six-feet high bowl. I gave it a go and pretty much just pile-drove my butt into the ground from 1.5m in the air. I threw up in my mouth and got a hematoma on my butt that lasted at least six months. Haven't been back since.
Adelaide Roller Derby 2022 Season
Sat 30 Apr - Wild Hearses v Salties & Mile Die Club v Road Train RollersSat 7 May - Mile Die Club v Wild Hearses & Salties v Road Train Rollers
11-13 Jun - The Great Southern Slam
Sat 25 Jun - Wild Hearses v Road Train Rollers
Sat 9 Jul - Salties v Mile Die Club
Sat 6 Aug - Grand Final Double Header
