Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby is excited to announce the Steel City Derby Dolls have been invited to compete in the bi-annual national tournament, The Great Southern Slam. This is the first sanctioned game for the dolls and the first time the tournament has been held since 2018 due to COVID restrictions.
The Great Southern Slam will see the dolls travelling to Adelaide to compete over the June long weekend, against 30 teams. Coach and skater Ebony Newton (Ebz-Ecutioner) is looking forward to the tournament and the return of roller derby.
“We are very excited to be heading to Adelaide after a very long wait. The Great Southern Slam is the main event that we train for, but it only occurs every two years.” Ebony said.
“We have a heap of new players that started just before COVID lockdowns began. They have never seen a tournament like this and I am really excited for them to finally get to represent the Illawarra on the national stage, whilst getting to experience the derby community.” Ebony said.
The derby dolls have this year joined with Western Sydney Roller Derby League for the tournament, and will be sharing time on the track. The partnership ensures both leagues have a chance to play in Adelaide and both teams are excited.
“The new partnership with Western Sydney Roller Derby League really shows what the derby community is all about. Friendship, fun and just playing derby no matter who you are playing with, there is no league rivalry in our sport” Ebony said.
Following The Great Southern Slam, the Steel City Derby Dolls will be competing a little closer to home as the New South Wales main tournament gets underway.
A media opportunity will be available for the Steel City Derby Dolls this Saturday from 12:30 pm at the University of Wollongong's Sports Hub. As many of dolls hit the track at 1:15 pm for the league's Mother’s Day potluck game.