RADfest Returns To Mackay

RADfest is back – and it’s rolling into Mackay with more momentum than ever.

This junior roller derby bootcamp and intensive training weekend was created to give regional skaters the same opportunities as their city-based peers. By bringing together elite coaches and junior players from across Australia, RADfest ensures local athletes don’t miss out on high-level training simply because of where they live.

Over three adrenaline-fuelled days, skaters will take part in bootcamp-style sessions led by a stellar line-up of guest coaches from Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Townsville – including a 2025 Team Australia World Cup skater.

The public will also get a chance to witness the action firsthand, with exhibition games scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday at the Mackay Showgrounds. On Saturday, May 3 from 4:30pm, fans can catch the Tussle of The Toughest, Debutant Brawl and the RADfest Rumble – all guaranteed to be high-speed, hard-hitting showcases of skill and spirit.

Roller derby in regional areas isn’t like most sports. Unlike traditional team sports where clubs face off weekly, regional roller derby teams are often isolated – many towns only have one team. Mackay’s nearest opponent is Townsville, which makes training opportunities with other skaters few and far between. RADfest helps bridge that gap, giving juniors a rare chance to train and compete with others from across the country.

RADfest – short for Regional Alliance Derby Fest – brings elite coaches and passionate players to Mackay to help grow the sport locally while developing talent nationally. Junior skaters will converge on the Sugar City from all corners of Australia, with some travelling from as far north as Cairns and as far south as Tasmania.

For Mackay families, this event is especially important. The cost of travelling to major cities for training camps can be prohibitive, meaning events like RADfest are crucial in giving local skaters access to world-class coaching without having to leave home.

With the 2025 Junior Roller Derby World Cup being held in Brisbane this July, many of the skaters participating in RADfest are gearing up to represent Australia on the world stage – proudly wearing the green and gold in just a few months’ time. RADfest plays a vital role in preparing these athletes for international competition, offering them time with the coaches who will shape their skills and sharpen their game.

Mackay City Rollers, the hosting league, is proud to announce that five of their own junior skaters will be competing at the World Cup this year – a huge achievement that highlights the depth of talent coming out of regional Queensland.

Whether you’re a roller derby regular or a curious newcomer, RADfest promises a weekend of fierce competition, community connection and pure roller-powered energy. Don't miss it.

WHAT:

RADfest – Junior Roller Derby Bootcamp and Exhibition Games

WHEN:

Friday 2 May to Sunday 4 May 2025

Public games: Saturday 3 May from 4:30pm

WHERE:

Mackay Showgrounds

Milton Street, Mackay QLD

TICKETS:

Exhibition games open to the public

Tickets available at the door (cash and EFTPOS accepted)

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