Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby (WIRD) is pleased to announce the Steel City Derby Dolls have been selected to play in The Great Southern Slam in Adelaide over the King’s Birthday weekend. 

The Great Southern Slam is the centrepiece of Australian Roller Derby, a biennial event attracting teams from across Australia and New Zealand. The Steel City Derby Dolls are once again travelling to Adelaide to play in Division Two, hoping to make Wollongong proud. 

WIRD’s President and Co-Captain Natalie Potter is looking forward to the event, with hopes this will be the biggest tournament since COVID-19. “It has been a big two years for WIRD, all of our hard work has been building to this event. We have brought some new skaters into the league as well, very exciting, as for many of our skaters this is their first time attending the Great Southern Slam.” Natalie said. 

“What’s also exciting is this year the tournament will be hosting the WFTDA Regional Championships for the Oceania Region. Allowing our

 league to see some world class skaters in action, which is an opportunity we rarely get in Australia.”

Natalie said one of the true highlights of the tournament is representing Wollongong. “Walking around rubbing shoulders with Perth Roller Derby, Brisbane Roller Derby and Auckland Roller Derby and here we are from Wollongong…. I like to think we are doing Wollongong proud.” Natalie said. 

Skaters will start their journey to Adelaide at the end of this week for the three day event, with their first game on Sunday 9th June against Brisbane City Rollers. Once WIRD returns, their sights will then move onto a more local NSW Tournament. 

Photo Credit: Mark Zouroudis