NOVA Roller Derby Hosts Season Opener

With names like Shevil Dead and Manic Panic, members of the NOVA Roller Derby league aim to intimidate. And two hard-skating teams of women plan to show their stuff Saturday at the Michael and Son Sportsplex at Dulles.

The bout between The Backwoods Rollers and The Beltway Betties begins at 5:30 p.m. and kicks off the leagues second season.

The teams added talent during a December draft and have spent the past two months training. The event makes for a tiebreaker in head-to-head action, since each team scored a win during two bouts a year ago.

Bouts follow the official rule set of Modern Athletic Derby Endeavor (M.A.D.E.)—a national affiliation of leagues promoting fair, skilled competition.

Purchase advance tickets for $10 at brownpapertickets.com, or at the door for $12. Children 6 and under enter free. Doors at the Michael and Son Sportsplex, formerly the Dulles Sportsplex at 21610 Atlantic Boulevard in Sterling, open at 4:30 p.m.

NOVA Roller Derby has a charitable mission that focuses on supporting organizations that have an immediate impact on our community. In March, the league has partnered with the Aurora School as its charity of the month. The Aurora School provides a progressive learning environment that serves individuals with intellectual disabilities, ages five to 22. The league asks that bout attendees who wish to support the cause bring puzzles (any size, any difficulty) to the bout.

After the bout, join the skaters at O’Faolain’s Irish Pub, 20921 Davenport Drive, in Sterling.

To learn more about NOVA Roller Derby and how to become involved, visit www.novarollerderby.com.