SPORT MAJOR MILESTONE FOR LOCAL CLUB 60 years of football. Back page.
The Western Sydney Rollers are ready for a major event later this month.
Maddison Gray is encouraging others to give roller derby a try.
Rolling back onto the court A
fter a long layoff due to the pandemic, one of the toughest sports around – Roller Derby – is finally returning. The Western Sydney Rollers have announced that their upcoming Family and Friends Roller Derby Bout Day will be held on Sunday, June 26 at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre – and everyone’s invited! The Western Sydney Rollers have been western Sydney’s own local Roller Derby League since 2008. After a tumultuous few years – from fires to COVID and then floods – Roller Derby is officially back in business.
Ready and raring to get back into the swing of bringing Roller Derby to Penrith, the Western Sydney Rollers are asking locals to join them for a fun-filled day to help celebrate their longawaited return, as some of their skaters play in their first ever bout. “Everyone’s super excited with the Family and Friends Bout coming up, and we’re just all hyped about playing the game,” Maddison Gray told the Weekender. “I’ve been with the league for just over a year now, so I’m just as hyped as anyone to be back.” The return of Roller Derby is all thanks to a grant received from Penrith City Council’s 2021 Community Assistance Program, which
funds local non-profit community groups for projects that strengthen the community, address community needs and improve opportunities for participation in Penrith City. Roller Derby is a dynamic and exciting sport for all genders, ages and abilities. Adult and Junior teams, Referee Training, Non-Skating Officials and Development Programs are available for anyone looking to learn. The Western Sydney Rollers’ aim is to bring the community back together in enjoying the vibrant sport that is Roller Derby with its upcoming Family and Friends Bout. “We are trying to break that stereotype that roller derby is really brutal,” Gray said.
“We’re not as big as soccer or football in the area but we want people to know that Roller Derby is a community sport for all ages.” Don’t miss the Western Sydney Rollers’ Family and Friends Roller Derby Bout Day on Sunday, June 26 at 10.45am. It will be held at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre in Cambridge Park. Tickets are $5 at the door (cash only), with kids under 12 free. “There will be many events on the day that will get spectators involved including our famous Buck Duck Chuck game,” Gray said. “It’s one not to be missed!” For more information or to keep up to date with the Western Sydney Rollers, visit www. westernsydneyrollers.com.au.
WW44073
NATHAN TAYLOR
Friday, June 10, 2022 « the western weekender
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