The Auckland Roller Derby League (ARDL) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Auckland, New Zealand. Founded in 2011, the league is made up of a range of dedicated skaters, officials and volunteers. The bolts team wear blue and white with lightning-patterned pants. ARDL play teams from other leagues and across the globe, and is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
History The league was founded in 2011 by a group of skaters from the Pirate City Rollers. They planned to reduce their use of derby names, and to wear more traditional sporting uniforms.Hannah Spyksma, "Skaters redefine the sport", Auckland Now, 13 April 2012 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.Beck Wise, "Feature Preview: The Great Southern Slam", Derby News Network, 8 June 2012
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.Beck Wise, "TGSS Day One Recaps ", Derby News Network, 9 June 2012 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."Auckland triumphant at first derby nationals", Scoop Media, 28 August 2012
In October 2012, Auckland was accepted as a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice Programme."22 Leagues Join WFTDA Apprentice Program", WFTDA, 18 October 2012 In January 2016, ARDL was accepted as WFTDA full members.
WFTDA rankings SeasonFinal ranking"Current Rankings", WFTDAPlayoffsChampionship2016274 WFTDADNQDNQ2017191 WFTDADNQDNQ2018NRDNQDNQ NR = no end-of-year ranking supplied
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