Dust Devil Tournament

Tucson Roller Derby Presents the First National Flat-Track Roller Derby Invitational

Between February 24–26, 2006, Tucson, AZ will be over-run by ferocious and dedicated amateur rollergirls from across the nation. Tucson Roller Derby will host sister leagues from around the country while these do-it-yourself, flat-track skaters compete in a ground-breaking tournament to determine the nation's first-ever Dust Devil national champion team.

"The Dust Devil tournament is history in the making," said Tucson Roller Derby founder Kim Sin, "and it's sure to be the first of many annual and semi-annual competitions in this burgeoning, full-contact women's sport." The Dust Devil invitational is the result of last July's conference, during which 55 women representing 20 leagues met for three days to coordinate a common set of rules for inter-league flat-track bouts. "This tournament is the next step in the growth of our sport," said Melissa `Melicious' Joulwan, a member of the Texas Rollergirls in Austin, TX. "We've all been waiting for the chance to go helmet-to- helmet with skaters from other leagues. And for the first time, flat-track derby fans can see the spectacle and athleticism of hundreds of rollergirls under one roof! All I can say is, `Put on your protective gear now.'"

Teams representing leagues from all over the country compete for three days against the best in their respective divisions, with each team determined to take home the national title of 2006 Dust Devil Champion. Nearly twenty flat-track leagues have already announced their participation: Arizona Roller Derby, Atlanta Rollergirls, B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, Carolina Rollergirls, Dallas Derby Devils, Duke City Derby, Houston Roller Derby, Kansas City Roller Warriors, Mad Rollin' Dolls, Minnesota Rollergirls, Providence Roller Derby, Rat City Rollergirls, Rose City Rollers, Sin City Rollergirls, Texas Rollergirls, Tucson Roller Derby, Windy City Rollers.

"The Dust Devil is more roller derby action in one weekend than anyone has seen before," said Natily `Ginger Snap' Blair from Gotham Girls Roller Derby in New York City. "This tournament is the first time we can fight for the title of national champs, and any real sports fan won't miss it. It has everything they could possibly want – hot all-girl skating action, great music and plenty of derby mayhem!" The Dust Devil will be played at Bladeworld, 1065 W. Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ from February 24 – 26, 2006.

tags: roller derby, rollergirls, Dust Devil