With the regular season wrapped up, Adelaide Roller Derby (ADRD) is now prepping for its Grand Final event at Adelaide Showground this weekend (31 July).
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.
However, given the current SA lockdown the status of the ADRD Grand Final is uncertain. Keep up to date via ADRD's socials.
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 ADRD Team Zebra (the umpires) member Nova Gina.
Who is Nova Gina... I started derby in 2009 as a skating official for Towns Villains Roller Derby league in Townsville. The highlight of my career has been officiating at two Northern Tropical Thunder tournaments. I had a break from derby from 2015 to last year where I strapped on my skates and found my whistle to ref at Adelaide Roller Derby.
My role is predominantly a skating official where I can do any role from Head Ref to Outside Pack Ref, but my fave position is Inside Pack Ref. However, I can also do NSO roles.
My first roller derby bout was... In July 2010 as Jam Ref; back when there was two starting whistles and there were 'major' and 'minor' penalties.
When did you settle on your roller derby name, and was it a unanimous decision? My original derby name from 2009-2011 was a play on my real name Benjamin; Ben Jammin – but I didn't like that name so another ref, Hava Gina, said I should change it to be the opposite of hers and I'm a male in (at that time) a predominantly female sport... so Nova Gina was born.
Social media is... I'm on FB. I tried TikTok but couldn't keep up with my kids.
My favourite app at the moment... SnapBridge. It's a photo app for my Nikon P1000 camera; it allows me to share my photos quickly and easily.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I rode a skater into the crowd after trying to jump over them after they were hit into me when I was an Outside Pack Ref.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I make a mean omelette.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I'm a lover. I have two Dobes, Jax and Ripley, and three cats: Kimba, Bella and Tigger.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... On Monday at PT at work. I'm in the army.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Picking up after my dogs.
Do you have any phobias? Sloths; they scare the crap out of me. Those claws slowly coming after you. . . shudder!
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I'd love to do the 'Amazing Race'.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Eric Cartman from 'South Park' – respect my authoritah! Lol.
Last show you binge-watched? 'House Of Cards'. Every episode kept you on the edge and you had to watch the next one.
