Area roller derby team to end season Aug. 25 in Dover

Southern Delaware Roller Derby will wrap up its 2024 season Sunday, Aug. 25, when amazing skaters from across the state will compete at the Dover Skating Center, a hub for family fun entertainment in the community for more than 40 years. SODEL will be celebrating the home game debut of four skaters: Chasing Dopamine, doctorED, TastyQuake and Trailer ThRash.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the first whistle is at 6:30 p.m., with SODEL facing off against the Dutchland Derby Rollers All-Stars. Roller derby enthusiasts and newcomers will witness the skating skills, strategy and hard-hitting action that are synonymous with Southern Delaware Roller Derby. Tickets are $10 and available at the door, or can be purchased in advance at tinyurl.com/392e38u6. Attendees may bring their own chair for fan seating so close to the action, they could end up with a skater in their lap!

SODEL, founded in 2011 by a small group of skaters wanting to bring roller derby to southern Delaware, is a registered nonprofit, all-inclusive, flat-track roller derby league. The team is a community that defies stereotypes, celebrates bodies of all shapes and sizes, and showcases powerful athletic ability. Double Treble said, “I love playing at home for our fans from near and far. I especially love that my family is able to see me play live and in person!” Marv E Lust said, “A home game means my family gets to see me skate, and I’m thrilled to be on the track for some of our rookies’ first game!”

SODEL is celebrating skaters making their home debut. Rookie TastyQuake said, “[I’m] jacked to simply do my best. I have so many feels. It’s new and exciting and nerve-racking, but that’s roller derby! And roller derby is absolutely fantabulous.” DoctorED, a transfer skater from Indiana, is thrilled to join SODEL. “I’ve been playing or reffing roller derby for about 10 years. I was excited to see there was a team in the Dover area when I moved to Delaware this summer. This is such a fun group of human beings, and I have deep respect for the inclusive environment the team has built. I want to see a big, cheering crowd at my first SODEL home game to help us celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our rookie skaters making their skating debut!”

The game will offer tasty food, Dogfish Head beverages, merchandise, thrilling action and opportunities to meet the athletes. The Dover Skating Center is at 2201 S Dupont Hwy., Dover.

For more information, go to facebook.com/SoDelRollerDerby.