FORT WAYNE, Ind.(WOWO):  Fort Wayne Roller Derby marked its 20th anniversary Saturday with a celebration that combined competition, community outreach and fundraising, according to WANE.

WANE reports roller derby teams and fans gathered at the PSM Icehouse for the league’s final home event of the season. The organization, founded in 2006, commemorated two decades of competition in Fort Wayne while looking ahead to future growth.

Nicki Gunn, known in the league as “Merch Maven,” told WANE the organization has seen increased interest from newcomers this year and hopes to continue expanding participation in the sport.

“We’ve had a lot of new people come check out the sport, which is great, because it’ll help us grow in the future,” Gunn told WANE. She also credited community support and donations with helping raise awareness about the league.

According to WANE, the event also served as a fundraiser for Food Not Bombs, a nonprofit organization that provides meals to people in need. Local artists and vendors participated as well, selling jewelry, candles, clothing and baked goods.

Gunn told WANE that Fort Wayne Roller Derby regularly hosts teams from around Indiana, including South Bend and Muncie, but occasionally welcomes competitors from much farther away. Saturday’s event featured a visiting team from Philadelphia.

“It’s really cool to have them come to our community, help us raise money, play a fun sport that everybody loves, and make new friends,” Gunn told the station.

While roller derby’s full-contact nature can appear intimidating to newcomers, WANE reports the league is planning a training camp in August in an effort to attract additional skaters and grow participation.

More information about Fort Wayne Roller Derby is available through the organization’s social media channels, according to WANE.