Roller Derby in Perth, Western Australia
WA Roller Derby (WARD) is a flat-track roller derby league in Perth, LGBTQIA+ friendly and open to anyone 18 and up. Plenty of us had never played a team sport before this one. Never skated? Perfect. We'll teach you everything, from your first wobble to your first jam and beyond.
Come for the roller derby, stay for the people.
WA Roller Derby brings together skaters, referees, officials and volunteers from every walk of life. Some had never skated before. Others had never played a team sport in their life. Most come for the roller derby and stay for the people they meet. The training is hard, and the competition is real, but somewhere along the way you find people who'll look out for you on and off the track.
Fun. Fitness. Friendships.
People join WARD to learn something new, get fit at their own pace, and find their community. There's a space for you at WARD.
Everyone belongs
We're an LGBTQIA+ friendly, neurodiverse-affirming league that follows the WFTDA gender statement. You're welcome as you are, whoever you are.
More than one way to play
Not every role is on skates. Whatever draws you in, we'll train you from scratch. Skaters often get the glory, but nothing runs without the refs, NSOs and vollies.
We're flexible
Training and payment flex around you: FIFO arrangements, casual membership, payment plans, and subsidies for anyone doing it tough. Need gear? Skates and pads are available to hire.
You're not too late
If you're 18 or over, there's a spot for you. People find derby in their thirties, forties and fifties, and for lots of us it's the first team sport we've ever tried.
Training for all levels
No experience needed for any role. Whether you're skating, reffing, NSOing or volunteering, we start you at the very beginning and build you up one level at a time.
Four levels.
Eleven weeks each.
Every new skater starts at Level 1 and moves up at their own pace, assessing into the next level when they're ready. Cycles run 11 weeks, several times a year, so the next intake is never far away.
Level 1 Learn to skate
Level 2 Safe contact
Level 3 Learn to play
Level 4 Compete
Pick your role.
There are four ways into WARD.
Skater
Play the game on quads. We'll take you from your first session on skates to full-speed gameplay, one step at a time.
Start skating →
Referee
Officiate on quads or blades. Learn the rules, run the game, and stay close to the action without taking the hits.
Learn to ref →
Non-skating official (NSO)
Scoring, timing and penalties: the roles that make a bout happen. All the community and none of the skating.
Become an NSO →
Volunteer
Event crew, fundraising, first aid, photography, socials. Behind the scenes is where the league gets built, and any amount of time helps.
Get involved →Four teams. One league.
Home teams
Our two home teams battle it out several times a year in public games anyone can come along to.
Atomic Sirens
Sonic Dooms
Travel teams
Our travel teams, the WARDs of the Skate (A) and the WayWARDs (B), carry our league to tournaments across WA and interstate.
WARDs of the Skate
WayWARDs
Keep up with WARD.
Game highlights, training clips and life at the league. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
- Multiplayer! Let me know what other rules you would like explained #rollerderby
- Come roll with us September 13th no experience or gear needed #rollerskating #rollerderby
- Out of context inspirational Quotes from Teammates part 5 #rollerderby
- Ever wondered why blockers don't just block the whole way around the track? #rollerderby
- Sirens vs Doom highlights ❤️💙 Home game 2
- Want to see something cool? #rollerderby #rollerskating
Thinking about joining?
Take a look through our frequently asked questions and common hesitations we hear all the time. If you have a question not answered here, just contact us.
Am I too old to play roller derby?
Not likely. Our median member age is around 38, and we have skaters joining in their 30s, 40s and 50s. There are even skaters in their 70s across Australia. Roller derby welcomes adults of any age.
I skate on inline skates (blades), can I join?
Skaters play on quad skates, but referees are welcome on quads or blades. If you already skate on inlines, officiating is a great way to get involved while you decide whether to make the switch to quads.
I am a man, can I join?
Yes. All genders are welcome to train as a skater through Level 2, and to referee, officiate and volunteer with us. For bouting and team skating, we follow the WFTDA gender policy.
I am under 18, can I join?
WA Roller Derby welcomes anyone 18+. If you're under 18, get in touch and we can point you towards junior roller derby options in Perth.
I have never skated before, or I cannot skate at all, is that a problem?
Not at all. Most people who join have never skated before. Level 1 starts from the absolute basics, standing, balance and falling safely.
I do not want to be a skater, what else can I do?
Plenty. You can train as a referee, become a non skating official handling scoring and timing, or volunteer on event crew, bench coaching, marketing or photography. We'll train you for whichever you pick.
Is WA Roller Derby a safe and welcoming space?
Yes. We're an LGBTQIA+ friendly, neurodiverse-affirming league. We have members of every background, age and body type. Training is built around consent and safety from day one.
