The Swamp City Sirens clung to a hard-fought 147-138 win over the Gold Coast Derby Grrls. Gainesville’s local roller derby team saved its most heart-pounding victory of the season for its final game.
That was Oct. 5, 2019. No one could have predicted at the time that the team would not play another bout for over a year.
2020 has given the Gainesville Roller Rebels new challenges, but the women, gender expansive and gender non-conforming skaters stick together, hopeful for better days ahead.
Gainesville’s roller derby history
Founded by Catherine Seeman in 2007, the Rebels joined the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association in 2013. The WFTDA sets the standards for rankings, rules and competition each year as the international governing body of women’s flat-track roller derby.