WIRD Media release

Who wouldn’t want to play Roller Derby? Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby is welcoming experienced skaters now.

Since their first skate in February 2009 the Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby girls have been training hard to bring this radical sport to life in Wollongong. WIRD, as they’re known for short, have been hitting carparks and bike paths preparing themselves to be the biggest thing in Wollongong roller skating history.

Wollongong is no stranger to skate sports. This region has produced state and national skate champions across a range of disciplines. Now we are home to the fastest and toughest league of skaters who are preparing to compete in the hottest and meanest all-girl sport ever – Roller Derby!

Roller Derby is sixty minutes of brutal competitive athleticism, where two teams of roller skaters battle it out for points, glory and adoration. Modern Roller Derby embraces excitement and spectacle as players frock up, slip on pseudonyms and revel in the freedom of eight wheels and truckloads of safety gear. A global body sets the rules of the games, referees enforce them, and tricky skaters pay the price for breaking them with a trip to the penalty box. Roller derby has taken the world by storm and WIRD will be representing Wollongong as the NSW and Australian competitions pick up. They expect to be holding public bouts by the end of the year.

The WIRD ladies sweat and grunt it out for a few sessions a week, pushing themselves to the limits to become Wollongong’s Derby girls. Building team work, healthy athleticism, empowerment and safety for all participants is core to WIRD’s mission and training focuses on endurance and agility.

Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby currently has fourteen skaters, but would like to have more. WIRD are looking for experienced skaters to join our ranks and are welcoming anyone who can skate safely, stop and turn. Male skaters are also encouraged to join up as referees and officials. If you’ve been itching to get your skates on again then drop them a line at wird.freshmeat@gmail.com and catch the Roller Derby virus.