Metro area Auckland Founded 2011 | Country New Zealand Track type(s) Flat | |
Teams Auckland Bolts, Auckland B Venue Auckland YMCA, ActivZone Glenfield | ||
The Auckland Roller Derby League (ARDL) is a flat track roller derby league based in Auckland, New Zealand. The league is made up of an A team (Bolts) and a B team with a name to be confirmed.
HISTORY
The league was founded in 2011 by a group of skaters from the Pirate City Rollers. They planned to reduce their use of pseudonyms, and to wear more traditional sporting uniforms. Described by the Derby News Network as "some of the most experienced derby skaters in the Southern Hemisphere", they were soon joined by Anna "Wonton Destruction" Wong, the founder of Bristol Roller Derby in England.
Auckland competed in the 2012 Great Southern Slam, losing 202-66 to the Victorian Roller Derby League, but beating the Newcastle Roller Derby League 107-89. They did not progress to the semi-finals. In August, Auckland played at the first national tournament in New Zealand, beating Richter City in the semi-final, and the Swamp City Roller Rats in the final, to take the trophy.
In October 2012, Auckland was accepted as a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice Programme.
CURRENT
ARDL are now ranked 6th in New Zealand based on Geex Quad rankings. In January 2016, ARDL were accepted as WFTDA full members.
ARDL wear a uniform produced and designed by Left Turn Clothing in USA.
In 2016 Flirty Harry became Chairperson of the league.
In April, 2016 ARDL will be going to the Gold Coast to attend Royal Rumble. ARDL will be having their season opener against WRDL in Whakatane at the start of March.