WARD is a flat-track roller derby league in Perth, queer-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.
WA Roller Derby brings together skaters, referees, officials and volunteers from every walk of life. Some of us arrived new to Perth, plenty had never played sport at all. Training is a workout and a laugh in about equal measure, and everyone looks out for everyone else.
We're not scouting for talent. People join WARD to learn something new, get fit at their own pace, and have a team to chase it with. First time on quads or years on wheels, there's room for you.
We're a queer-friendly, neurodiverse-affirming league, and we follow the WFTDA gender statement. Come as you are.
Referee, non-skating official, volunteer: we train each one from scratch. Ask anyone who's run a bout, the NSOs and vollies are the people we can't lose.
Training and payment flex around you: FIFO arrangements, casual membership, payment plans, and subsidies for anyone doing it tough. You can hire loan skates and pads, and gear's on us for your free Have a Go week.
Our members span their twenties to their fifties and beyond, and for plenty of us, derby is our first-ever team sport.
The program starts at wobbly first laps and works up to full-speed gameplay, one level at a time.
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.
There are four ways into WARD. Whichever you pick, we teach you the lot.
Play the game on quads. We'll build you up from your very first session, shaky legs and all.
Start skating →Officiate on quads or blades. Learn the rules and run the game! Ideal if you love the play but not the hits.
Learn to ref →
Scoring, timing and penalties, the roles that make a bout happen. All of the community, none of the falling over.
Become an NSO →
Event crew, fundraising, first aid, photography, socials. Behind the scenes is where the league gets built, and any amount of time helps.
Get involved →Our two home teams battle it out several times a year in public games anyone can come along to.
Our travel teams, the WARDs of the Skate (A) and the WayWARDs (B), carry Perth roller derby to tournaments across WA and interstate.
Bout highlights, training clips and life at the league. Subscribe to @WARollerDerbyAustralia for more.
Real questions we get asked at every Have a Go day. If yours is not here, just contact us.
No. Our median member age is around 38, and we have skaters joining in their 20s, 40s and 50s. Roller derby in Perth welcomes adults of any age, fitness is built up over time and at your own pace.
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.
Yes. WA Roller Derby follows the WFTDA gender statement and welcomes players, referees, officials and volunteers of any gender. We are a queer friendly, LGBTQIA+ inclusive league with members from all walks of life.
Our program is for adults. Get in touch and we can point you toward junior roller derby options in Perth if you are under 18.
Not at all. Most people who join have never skated before. Our Learn to Skate level starts from the absolute basics, standing, balance and falling safely, with loaner skates and gear provided.
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.
Yes. People of every background, age and body type skate here, and training is built around consent and safety from day one.
Our next intake starts soon. Rock up to a Have a Go day, we'll cover both sessions that week and lend you all the gear. Nobody expects you to be any good yet, that's the whole point.