Roll with Pride: Why Canberra’s most inclusive sport is the perfect place to celebrate

Posted on 25 June, 2025

There’s something magical about a sport where size, shape, age, gender, or sexuality doesn’t define you – where the only thing that matters is the fire in your belly and the wheels on your feet.

Welcome to the world of roller derby, and more specifically, welcome to Canberra Roller Derby League’s (CRDL) annual Pride bout, where celebration meets competition in the most spectacular way.

“Roller derby is truly a sport for every body,” explains Moon Shiner, who’s been skating with the Surly Griffins since 2022.

“A quick glance at the track will show you skaters of all shapes, sizes and ages.”

It’s this fundamental inclusivity that makes roller derby the perfect sporting home for Canberra’s Pride celebration – and why the CRDL’s Pride bout on 28 June promises to be one of the most joyful events on the city’s winter calendar.

For newcomers to the sport, roller derby might look like organised chaos – and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Picture two teams of five facing off on a circular track, with four blockers playing defence while a jammer (identifiable by the star on their helmet) weaves through the pack, scoring points for each opposing blocker they pass. Add full contact, lightning-fast skating, and the occasional spectacular apex jump over the track’s inner edge, and you’ve got a sport that’s equal parts strategy, athleticism, and pure adrenaline.

“It’s such an adrenaline rush and nothing beats the satisfaction of hearing another skater go ‘OOF!’ when you successfully block them,” Moon Shiner laughs.

But beyond the thrills and spills, there’s something deeper at play here – a sport that actively celebrates what makes each player unique rather than trying to fit them into a predetermined mould.

The CRDL has been championing this inclusive spirit since its establishment in 2008, but their Pride bout has become something truly special. After a few quiet years during COVID, the league began spotlighting their Pride celebration in 2021, creating an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ members of the league and community to express and celebrate who they are in a sporting environment that emphasises diversity and inclusion.

Photograph: Black Fortress Labs

“CRDL prides itself on being a welcoming environment for everyone, whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or not,” Moon Shiner explains. The league’s Diversity and Inclusion committee works year-round to foster this safe and inclusive sporting environment, ensuring that roller derby remains a judgement-free zone where everyone is free to be who they are.

Come game day, that inclusivity transforms into a rainbow-filled celebration that’s impossible to miss. The league’s beloved referees – affectionately known as the ‘Zebra Army’ for their striped shirts – swap their usual black and white for vibrant rainbow jerseys. Skaters and spectators alike are encouraged to wear their Pride, whether that’s ribbons, rainbow leggings, creative makeup, or flags worn cape-style for maximum dramatic effect.

Photograph: Black Fortress Labs

This year’s halftime entertainment adds an extra layer of sparkle with award-winning performer Valerie Hex taking the spotlight. The dancer, MC, choreographer, and performer has carved time out of her busy schedule to visit Canberra and deliver what promises to be a dazzling show that’ll have the crowd on their feet.

But the celebration extends beyond the spectacle. Like every CRDL game, the Pride bout includes a charity (featuring prizes from BlocHaus and SportsTec), with all proceeds going to Meridian – an incredible local organisation providing health and social supports to the LGBTIQ+ community and intersecting communities. There’ll also be activities for kids, and food, drinks and merch available.

Valerie Hex will provide halftime entertainment.

As for the competition itself? Expect fireworks. The Red Bellied Black Hearts claimed the trophy at the end of 2024, but the Surly Griffins are determined not to let that happen again without a fight. Both Canberra teams have already faced off against visiting Sydney leagues this season and emerged victorious, but the question everyone’s asking is which local team will reign supreme come Saturday night.

Whether you’re drawn by the athletic prowess, the inclusive community spirit, or simply the promise of an entertaining evening out, the CRDL Pride bout represents everything that makes roller derby special. It’s a sport where being different isn’t just accepted – it’s celebrated, strategised around, and turned into a superpower on wheels.

“Maybe you’re smaller and more agile and can duck around other skaters on the track, or maybe you’re able to use your size and strength to push a blocker out of the way,” Moon Shiner notes. “Either way, there’s a role you can play in the team.”

The same could be said for the broader community that surrounds this wonderfully chaotic sport – there’s a place for everyone, and the Pride bout is the perfect celebration of exactly that philosophy.