The Eves of Destruction are ready to welcome teams from across western North America for a weekend of high-level tournament on April 6 and 7. Hosted at Archie Browning Sports Centre, the third and largest-yet Capital City Chaos will include teams from Alaska, California, Saskatchewan, Washington State and across B.C. and host two full days of game play at both regulation and WFTDA-sanctioned levels.
“I am incredibly proud of our community of players, volunteers, officials, and fans who have made this event possible,” says league president Soda Pressed. “I can’t wait for the opportunity to share our community with our visitors, and watch some high-level, jaw-dropping, breath-taking, mind-blowing, earth-shaking, roller derby!”
Both the A-Team and B-Team will open their 2024 seasons at the tournament following a successful 2023 return to high-level competitive play after the COVID pandemic break. The Eves B-Team went 3-0 with games on the Island last year, while the A-Team went 4-6 in a season that included tournaments in Phoenix, Arizona and Salt Lake City, Utah. The A-team is currently ranked 40th in WFTDA’s North America West region.
“We are really excited to host so many new teams this year, and with that brings new challenging games. We spent 2023 playing some higher-level teams and gaining experience and knowledge of what’s coming our way as we climb in our region’s rankings,” says A-Team co-captain Toombstone. “Headed into this weekend, we’re feeling strong and tenacious. Tournaments are always a lot of work to get ready for both physically and mentally, and we are ready to play hard to win.”
For both days, doors open at 8:30 a.m., first game whistles at 9:10 a.m, and the beverage garden opens at 3 p.m. The B-Team will play the first home team game at 1:15 against Greater Vancouver Roller Derby Association, a rematch from last year. The A-Team will play their first game against Anchorage, Alaska’s Rage City (28) at 5:30 p.m., followed by another B-Team game against the newly formed Team Northern B.C.
The A-Team starts Sunday off against Seattle’s Rat City B (48). These two teams last faced off in November in Utah, with the Eves edging Rat in a 130-122 win. The A-Team will then finish the tournament at 3:45 p.m. against Saskatoon’s Mindfox (31), a rematch from last year’s Capital City Chaos when the Mindfox won 215-128.
Along with high-level roller derby, the event will also feature vendors like Influence Boardshop, Empire Donuts, Saltchuck Pies, and food trucks. Day or weekend passes are available in advance, for $20 and $35. Individual day passes will be available at the door for $25. Kids ten and under are free.
The Eves of Destruction Roller Derby League, a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, was formed in 2006, has over 80 players, refs, and officials. Adult members play for The A-Team, The B-team, The Belles of the Brawl, The Margarita Villains and The Hard Cores. The league also has two gender-inclusive junior teams, The Rotten Apples, made up of players aged 10-18, and the Seeds of Destruction, for kids under 10.