The 2021 season of Adelaide Roller Derby kicked off on Saturday (10 April), with awe-inspiring performances from the ferocious skaters on each team.
First up, the Salty Dolls and Wild Hearses fought it out in a neck and neck battle that came down to one point in the final minutes of the bout, before the Salty Dolls pulled away to take the win 197 to 131.In the second bout, the Mile Die Club managed to establish an early lead against the Road Train Rollers who then made an unflinching effort to catch up, but the Mile Die Club retained their margin, taking home the win 165 to 132.
Both games were nail-biting to the end, with every team clearly pushing their limits to score points.
For those thinking of going to roller derby for the first time, here's a quick explanation to help you comprehend the chaos happening on the track.
Jammers (the ones with stars on their helmets) have the goal of breaking through the pack of blockers to skate as many laps as possible. The Blockers from each team work together to stop the opposing team's Jammer. If a Jammer strays outside the lines of the track, they return to a position behind the Blockers.
In the first bout, a new Jammer for the Wild Hearses, MustDash, proved to be a talent to watch going forward. She pushed her way through obstacles with speed and strength, knocking blockers out of the way like bowling pins.
Bobby Dazzler lived up to her name, consistently dazzling the crowd with her athleticism and breaking away from the opposing team with finesse.
Pinch Assault from the Salty Dolls was bringing home points left right and centre, swiftly streaming out of the pack before anyone could tell what had happened.
Evil Stig was the standout Jammer for the Mile Die Club, seemingly able to effortlessly evade the opposing Blockers like water through their hands.
Trinket, the Jammer for the Road Train Rollers displayed some incredible footwork, seeming to dance her way out of the pack on many occasions.
The 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.
Roller Derby is a safe space for the LGBT+ community, and it's an empowering display of women's strength with players required to meet a high level of skill due to the risks inherent in the sport.
There's also a flashiness that adds to the entertainment factor, which is a celebration of individuality.
There's also an eclectic array of stalls with cool clothing and miscellaneous items, as well as food and drinks. For Saturday's game, the dream-pop duo Tiles provided the musical entertainment, with entrancing vocals from Katie Pomery and psych-rock vibes from Matt Schulz.
The next Adelaide Roller Derby bout takes place 29 May.
