With the regular season wrapped up, Adelaide Roller Derby (ADRD) is now prepping for its Grand Final event at Adelaide Showground this weekend (7 August).
The action will see all four squads participate with Mile Die Club and Road Train Rollers to meet in the major bout – the winner to be crowned 2021 champion.Salty Dolls and Wild Hearses will also battle each other with bragging rights (till next season begins) on the line.
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.
The players as well as the diverse crowd and commentators all contribute to the fun of the event. "Adelaide Roller Derby was established in 2007 and is Adelaide's oldest and largest roller derby league," ADRD says.
"If there's one thing we love, it's talking derby! Our league is a not-for-profit organisation that is owned and operated by the ADRD skaters and officials.
"We are super-proud of the community we have built for ourselves and are really grateful to all our supportive family and friends who cheer us on from the sidelines.
"We are also very fortunate to have the support of our sponsors, who have been fantastic at helping us get where we are today.
"If you're new to the world of roller derby, never fear, it's heaps of fun to play and just as much fun to watch. Come along to our next bout and find out for yourself."
If you're interested in lacing up your skates and joining the action next year, ADRD will host an info night at Wheatsheaf Hotel 5 August. More information.
Here, we profile Mile Die Club team member Shirley Temper.
Who is Shirley Temper... I was a derby spectator for years before I finally got the guts to buy skates of my own. I started as a ref, then played for Murder City, before joining ADRD and the Mile Die Club, where I've been for three seasons.
My role... Blocker. Usually defensive butt, sometimes a brace, and I'm pushing myself to get better at offence.
My first roller derby bout was... I watched an ADRD double header at the Showground in about 2010.
When did you settle on your roller derby name, and was it a unanimous decision... I'm a big fan of musicals and dancing, and my original idea was Ginger Dodges (also works because I'm a redhead) but it was too close to a couple of other skaters' names. Then my mum said something about Shirley Temple the week before my first season, and I chose Shirley Temper.
Social media is... A blessing and a curse. Great for keeping in touch, but I spend way too much time mindlessly scrolling.
My favourite app at the moment is... I'm really impressed with PhysiApp. My physio assigns me exercises, the app has little video demos, and reminds me to do them.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I don't embarrass very easily, but I do fall over all the time.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be the team's spokesperson... Celeste Barber. She has a lot of fun and loves herself sick.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Probably some old friends. We're all so busy these days, and I don't get to see anyone as much as I'd like to.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'm not much of a cook, but I do a pretty mean nachos.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I'm allergic to most of them, but they love me and I can't help but pat them and make myself sneezy.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Between the 2019 and 2020 derby seasons. There wasn't enough off season last year to bother joining up again.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Either dishes or laundry. Those chores that never seem to be done.
Do you have any phobias? I don't like creepy crawlies, but I wouldn't call it a phobia.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Absolutely not! But watching renovation shows is a bit of a guilty pleasure.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I can't tell you, or they'll know!
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Sleeping Beauty. I just really like to nap.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Ted Lasso'. It's a really stupid comedy, but I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.
