The Men’s Roller Derby Association (MRDA) revealed the site for its annual championship games Wednesday and, for the second time in three years, St. Louis was selected as the host city.
GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD), the local flat-track affiliate of the MRDA, will host “River City Rumble” on Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18 at Midwest Sport Hockey in Queeny Park.
The two-day, bracketed tournament features the top international teams in the end-of-season rankings. Saturday’s games consist of quarterfinal and consolation bracket contests while Sunday’s action features the semifinal match-ups in the morning and a fifth, third and first place game later that day.
“As the Men’s Roller Derby Association has evolved from four member leagues at its founding to 56 member leagues today, the level of competition and athletic skill in game play has risen dramatically,” said MRDA President Graham “Grambo #37” Espe. ”Our highest ranked teams are frequently deciding games by only a few points, with smart strategies and amazing teamwork. They are hungry to move up their rankings and the game play shows it. The invitations for 2015 MRDA Championships in St. Louis are going to be highly coveted symbols which say, ‘We are the best of the best of men’s roller derby.’”
St. Louis hosted the 2012 MRDA Championship, “Gateway to the Best,” where the final trophy tilt had an attendance of over 500 spectators at Midwest Sport Hockey. This year’s event marks the first time a city has hosted its second championship. “River City Rumble” will be the fifth installment of the annual tournament.
Photo Credit: Knight-Glider
GateKeepers Roller Derby, founded in 2009, has competed at all four prior MRDA post-season tournaments, finishing as high as second in both 2012 and 2014. St. Louis placed third in 2013 and fourth at the inaugural championship in 2011.
“We are so excited to host MRDA Championships again in 2015,” said GKRD President Percy Controll. “Our league will work it’s hardest to make sure everything is the best it can be, and that the MRDA member leagues have the best experience they can possibly have. Having such a great event and putting St. Louis in the national spotlight really means a lot to us.”
The MRDA, founded as the Men’s Derby Coalition in 2007, is comprised of 56 international leagues. Your Mom Men’s Derby, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is its three-time defending champion.
Ticket information will be revealed at a later date.
The latest MRDA international rankings can be found at THIS LINK.
For more information on GateKeepers Roller Derby, go to www.stlgatekeepers.com.
For more information on the MRDA, go to www.mensrollerderbyassociation.com.
(Featured Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell)
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
