Albany Roller Derby League set to tackle combined Margaret River and Geraldton side at inaugural Region Rumble

Albany Roller Derby League is padding up and strapping in for its inaugural Regional Rumble when rural counterparts from Margaret River and Geraldton suit up for their fearsome clash on Saturday. Albany’s derby players are hoping to reign supreme over a combined side from Margaret River and Geraldton when they grapple at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on Saturday night. Club president Natalie Jarvis said while their 16 registered players were excited for the bruising encounter, they are not ready to settle for second. “We are very keen for a win and it’s a good opportunity for our players to just play and really find their feet and test out some strategy,” she said. “Because we all play together we don’t really hit each other at training, but as soon as it’s against someone you don’t know it’s game on.” The Regional Rumble will help the club prepare for the largest roller derby tournament in the world in Adelaide next month. “This game for us is great prep for heading to a really large tournament in June in Adelaide called the Great Southern Slam, and that is the largest tournament in the world and we’ve been invited,” Jarvis said. “You do have tournaments and games that happen a bit more infrequently throughout the year so it takes a lot to grow on one game. “It’s a really great thing for us to get into the gameplay, but also work to that further goal of having better opportunities for regional clubs.” The highly-anticipated Regional Rumble welcomes all to join, with Jarvis promising a fantastic atmosphere and a “family friendly environment”. “I just really encourage people to head down and check it out and if you don’t know what it is or you’ve never seen it, just come along,” she said. “The support is so important to our club, we don’t have the promotion like other sports do . . . it’s a really fun environment and definitely family friendly.” Doors to the event open at 6pm with the first whistle blown at 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at $17 for adults and $10 for children under 12, or at the door where adult tickets are $20 and children’s tickets are $13.